And so it begins... day 1 skiing 2016

What I like about Bolton: I left work at 2:00 and I was standing outside at the base of Bolton with my skis on at 2:30.
Spring snow. Temps between 35-40 and foggy. Nice coverage top to bottom. Up to the top of Bolton, over to Wilderness lift, into woods, Stowe view, back to top of Bolton and down. Nice on the ski trails and nice in the woods. Got down at 6:00 which is pretty dark these days. The conditions were better last Sunday but today was good also and perfectly good start to the season!

Mistake

It was clear when I got to the parking lot of Sugarbush North today that I had made a mistake. It had snowed over the weekend but then, I thought, it was warm enough the last few days to melt things. It turns out it snowed last night, 2-6 depending on elevation, on top of what was a decent base from the weekend. I should have brought my skis! Hiking was nice and easy coasting down with enough snow to cover everything but it would have been nice to get in the first ski of the season. Stayed cold all day so the snow stayed good.
Time to start bringing skis and see what it is like when you get there. I should have known better. I will use the partial excuse that it was 70 and I was kayaking on this day last week so not really in winter mode yet.
Went up to the Long Trail and went to the top of Heavens Gate and turned around. A lot of work breaking trail on the ridge. Also should have brought gaiters.

First snow

Went to go sailing and it was windy. Colchester reef wind speed was 30+. A number of boats went out and raced but we decided to go hiking instead. A good idea in my opinion. We started out at the Winooski river and went up to about 1500 feet. First snow I have seen this season. Mansfield is reporting 10 inches at the top! Interesting day to be out there with the leaves still around. They will not last long with all the wind. The first picture was taken by Jill.

These pictures are from recent days closer to home. The first one is in the neighborhood.

Not a lot of boats left on the moorings in Shelburne

It has been windy for most of the week

Winooski river

This was a new section of the Winooski river from downtown Winooski to about 1 mile past Ethan Allen Homestead. I put the kayak in off of West Canal street at the first significant left after the Woolen Mill. There is a canoe ramp there but the water is low! The ramp only has a place to park 2 cars so access is limited. I had to go down the bank with the kayak and then walk 50 yards to the water. Once in the river there are a series of small rapids and some faster moving water for the first 1/2 mile. On the way back upriver I had to get out and carry the kayak at one spot because I could not paddle fast enough to get up the flow. There was one other area where I had to paddle pretty hard to make it up. It is probably better to go to the ramp off 127 and go up stream to Winooski. Paddling out of Winooski was interesting. I saw what used to be Tortilla Flats from the back and an old walking trail that has a bridge and some fallen down stairs. The river quickly turns to farm land as you go through the Intervale area and on to the Ethan Allen area. Nice stretch of river. Saw a number of ducks and a lone blue heron. One shack and no other houses once you get out of Winooski.

Sign at start in downtown Winooski

Shack - only building after you get about 1/2 mile out of Winooski

Sign at Ethan Allen Homestead. Turned around about 1 mile beyond this.

Access in Winooski. Not a lot of water right now.

Around and about - Part 2

Bike ride South past Charlotte beach, continuing on Lake road to Converse Bay road. Left onto Cedar beach road to check that out and then back to Converse bay road to Ferry and then back. Perfect sunny day (10/19/16) and about 70 degrees. Not many days like this left until next June!

Next 3 are Cedar Beach access

I like this one

Next 3 are Charlotte Ferry

Quick hike up Bolton:

Waterbury Reservoir

A few boats left in Mallets Bay. The J24 Sunday sailing series goes until 11/20/16.

And back to Shelburne Farms. Same areas, different day, different weather. Always nice there!

Finally Winooski with not much light to keep it looking good: