Snowshoe to Stratton Pond

Join us in welcoming in the New Year with a snowshoe to Stratton Pond - details in the activities calendar

Hike up Mt Antoine

Five of us had a great hike up Mt Antoine in Merck Forest and Farmland Center on Saturday December 28.

EPT snowshoe a success

Mother nature provided about 8 inches of new snow in the Equinox Preservation Trust for us this morning and four hikers showed up with snowshoes at the ready for the first snowshoe hike of this winter season. Several others were signed up to go but after waiting an extra 15 minutes for them, we decided to head out, leaving our track if anyone showed up any later.

The next two snow shoe hikes are scheduled over the holiday time - Saturday December 28 a trip in Merck Forest and January 1 a welcome in the New Year trip to Stratton Pond - details are on the calendar. Hope to see many people welcoming in the New Year with us.

minutes from the Nov 1 pot luck planning meeting

GMC Manchester Section

Quarterly Meeting

Home of Dale & Mike Malekoff

November 1, 2013

Attendees:

  Marge Fish, President

  Bob Fish

  Bob Whitney

  Keld & Mary Alstrup

  Ruth Ann Barrick, Membership

  Dale Malekoff, Secretary

  Alyson Gryzb, Treasurer

 Wilma Tremarco

 Andrew Harper

 Kennie Lyman

Marge Fish called the meeting to order at 7:13pm. 

The first order of business was whether to contribute to the cost of plowing of the VAST/LT parking lot on Rt 11/30.  Alyson was uncertain whether we had done so last year, but we had sent $300 the year before that, and a similar amount on the years before that.  An inquiry was voiced, as to the actual cost per plow of the parking lot… Alyson would inquire.  Motion to send $300 to VAST for plowing (Dale/Bob W); all in favor.

Alyson reported that the current balance in the treasury is $4529, Manchester Section receiving a portion of each members’ dues.  Ruth Ann follows up on membership renewals.  Marge emails newsletters to all members for whom she has an email address.  There are still 5 members who do not have (or will not share with her) email addresses, causing her to have to snail-mail a few newsletters.

Marge reported that we are (and have been for a while) members of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.  That entitles us to participate in their mixers once a month.  It was suggested that we host one of these at Bromley Mountain, to talk about GMC; Keld will pursue this.  Since we are ‘enhanced’ members we are also entitled to post articles in their monthly publication.  It was suggested that we could use this venue to talk about the Bromley Tower.    

Bromley Tower:  Marge reported that there is about $30,000 in the fund, with another $3,000 promised when ground is broken, needing about $150,000 for the entire project.  She expects a Spring 2015 start.  The current thinking is to try to find a used (in good condition) tower, and refurbish it.  If not, then build a new one.   GNAT has a 60 spot about the tower fundraising

Upcoming events:

Nov 24 – Sunday – Haystack Mt in Rupert; meet a Shaws in Manchester at 8:30; moderate, with steep portions.

Dec 15 – Sunday – Equinox Red Gate trail to the Manchester Arts Center and back; easy; meet at the Red Gate at 8:30; leader - Keld;

Dec 28 – Saturday – Merck Forest; meet at Shaws at 8:30 or Merck Forest at 9:00; intermediate; leader - Keld;

 Jan 1 – Wednesday – Stratton Pond from N. Brookwood; meet at the Post Office in Bondville at    

 8:30; leader – Marge;

Jan 11 – Saturday – Catamount Trail, South Rd to French Hollow; meet at Peru Town Center at 8:30; intermediate; leader – Bob Whitney;

Jan 21 – Tuesday – Bear Town Rd to the top of Equinox; meet at 8 behind the Congregational Church in Manchester; leader – Steve Gryzb; intermediate;

Feb 1 – Saturday – Stratton Mt from N. Brookwood; meet at the Post Office in Bondville; intermediate; leader – Dave Ratti;

Feb 11 – Tuesday – Little Michigan; meet at the end of North Road in Peru at 9:00; leader – Ruth Ann Barrick; easy;

Feb 15 – Saturday – Taylor Series:  trip up Anna Purna in the Himalayas, given by Bev & Jim Phillipps; 7:30 at Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad building;

Feb 16 – Sunday – Bromley Mt from Mad Tom to Rt 11; meet at 11/30 parking lot at 8:30;

Mar 5-6-7 – Wed – Fri; Wheeler Pond; stay in 2 woodstove-heated cabins, snowshoe; bring food and cooking equipment; room for 16; paid for by the Section; leader – Marge;

Mar 22 – Aiken Wilderness; leader – Dave Ratti;

Mar 28 - Spring pot luck, at the home of Keld & Mary; 6pm;

Come hike in the Green Mountains

The Long Trail remains open the entire length of the state of VT even through the Green Mountain National Forest, so come out and hike.

Green Mountain and Little Rock Pond hike

Join us on October 12 for the Green Mountain hike via Green Peak Trail to Little Rock Pond and back out via the Long Trail - check the calendar for details.

Baker Peak Hike

The hike up to Baker Peak on sunday 9/29 was a great success with 13 hikers. We climbed up through beautiful woods, with the autumn colors surrounding us, reaching the summit of Baker Peak in time for lunch. Chris Burk, geologist and member of the Manchester Section, provided us with much fascinating information about the geology of the area. The group then split up with some returning the same way we had climbed up (Baker Peak Trail to Lake Trail) to return to their cars and others continuing on south on the Long Trail to Griffith Lake before returning via Lake Trail to thier cars.

Winooski Bridge news

Long Trail Bridge Over the Winooski Breaks Ground BOLTON, Vt., September 16 – The Green Mountain Club today broke ground on a suspension footbridge for the Long Trail over the Winooski River, an effort 101 years in the making.  With permits and designs in hand, the 10,000 club which built and maintains the Long Trail celebrated this historic milestone while continuing to ask Long Trail enthusiasts to support the project. “It is with great pride that I join in kicking off this historic project for Vermont’s Long Trail,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin who joined the celebration.  “The state has long enjoyed a strong partnership with the Green Mountain Club in conserving and maintaining America’s oldest long distance hiking trail. This footbridge continues this partnership by linking, through the Long Trail, two of our state’s most iconic mountains: Camels Hump and Mt. Mansfield.” In 1912, legislation was introduced to build a bridge for the Long Trail over the Winooski River in Bolton. In 1913, $500 was appropriated to the project.  At the time, the club had just completed the first stretch of trail from Smugglers Notch to the river.  Since then, 25 cent ferry rides from a local farmer and long road walks have been the hallmarks of crossing the Winooski River on the Long Trail. “I am profoundly thankful to all of our Green Mountain Club members who have volunteered their time, their ideas and their boots on the ground, and, of course, their financial support to this important project,” said Green Mountain Club President Jean Haigh.  “I’ve seen an enormous amount work accomplished over the past years to reach this point and it could not have happened without the encouragement and support of our members and our staff. This is a major milestone in the history of the Green Mountain Club and it is my hope that folks will continue to provide for the project as we move forward. There is a lot more work to be done.” The club has raised more than $1 million for this project and will utilize more than $500,000 in state funding for land conservation and trail work.  For the last three decades, the club and the state have worked together to conserve more than 25,000 acres of high elevation forestland for the Long Trail thanks to the leadership of former Gov. Howard Dean and Sen. Dick Mazza, both of whom attended today’s event, and the late Sen. Bob Gannett. “This is a remarkably complex project and it’s frankly amazing it only took 101 years to see shovels in the ground,” said Will Wiquist, GMC executive director.  “With a major river, an interstate, an active railroad, a state highway and a town road all within a few hundred yards, I am inspired by the work of our staff and volunteers to pull this together and find a permanent corridor for the Long Trail to a spot where we can build a footbridge. Soon we’ll be rid of three and a half miles of road walking on the Long Trail.” The 224’ suspension footbridge will be built by the Green Mountain Club using designs produced by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. of Ferrisburgh.  The club is seeking bids for major concrete and excavation aspects of the project and has hired a firm to produce the steel towers. The club expects to make major progress on the project this fall.  After a winter hiatus, the club expects to complete the project in 2014, opening the bridge as part of the Long Trail next year. The club’s Long Trail Patrol has already begun work on relocation of the Long Trail on GMC-conserved land north of the river.  The trail crew is working to connect the bridge to Mt. Mansfield State Forest above Bolton Valley, much of which was conserved by the club in partnership with the state. The Green Mountain Club thanked Gov. Shumlin and the state of Vermont for their support.  They also thanked Gov. Dean, Sen. Mazza, Sen. Gannett and others in Montpelier who have supported and continue to support Long Trail Protection efforts; the town of Bolton; each and every one of the club’s 10,000 members with special thanks to the Burlington and Montpelier Sections of the Green Mountain Club who maintain the Long Trail in the Winooski River Valley. The club also thanked Daan Zwick and all the generous supporters; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; New England Central Railroad; Sen. Patrick Leahy; the Norwich University Civil Engineering Department; the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board; Button Surveyors; Engineers Construction; TD Bank; Kleinhans Construction and Welding; and current and past staff of the GMC including Dave Hardy, Maisie Howard, Pete Antos-Ketcham, Susan Shea, Ben Rose and Matt Wels, the bridge project manager and foreman, and his crew, who will build this bridge. Event photos available upon request. Contact: Will Wiquist at (802) 241-8212

Hike in Aiken Wilderness Report

Five adventurers had an excellent hike in the Aiken Wilderness on Sunday August 25. As we trekked through this trail-less area we saw bear sign including scratching on beech trees and much scat, lots of moose scat, many game trails, and some beautiful beaver meadows.

Next Young Adventurer's Hike

November 8, 2013. Equinox Preserve Family Night Hike.     

Over 70% of the animals living on the Equinox Preserve are nocturnal, hunting for food and shelter after the sun has gone down.  How are these animals able to survive?  What special adaptations allow them to hunt, travel and survive at night?

Leave your flashlights behind and join Equinox Preserve Steward Rick LaDue and the Green Mountain Club’s Young Adventurers Club for this family-friendly foray into the nocturnal world of Mt Equinox.  Learn about special adaptations of deer, owls, shrews, flying squirrels and a number of other creatures.  Most importantly, experience all the ways humans are also adapted to survive at night.  All activities are kid-friendly and appropriate for ages 3-9.

We will meet at 7 pm at the Red Gate parking lot on West Union St in Manchester for this exciting, non-scary adventure.  Participants must preregister with either Rick at 366-1400 (rick@equinoxpreservationtrust.org) or Jason of GMC’s Young Adventurers Club at 681-6342 (jpergament@burrburton.org).

Fall activities on calendar

Nine of us met on Wednesday 8/21 at Bob Whitney's for a pot luck picnic/campfire and fall planning meeting.
Three hikes and a work hike are now on the activities calendar, as well as the date for the next pot luck and winter planning meeting.
We have also set the dates for our three day trip to the Wheeler Pond Camps in the northeast kingdom for a great snowshoe and camping trip - save the dates of March 4-5-6 (right after Town Meeting Day).

July Ascutney Mountain Hike

A group of seven of us headed up the Brownsville Trail on one of the many very hot days this month. We had a great view at the old quarry site and then again from the top of the quarry. Continuing up it began to rain when we were about 2/3 of the way up. The majority of the group decided that we should turn around as the rocks were quite slippery, so we retreated back to the cars. The rain having stopped and the heat returning we ended our hike with a stop for soft serve ice cream, which we needed to eat quickly before it melted.
We have scheduled a repeat hike on Ascutney Mtn for September 22, going up the Windsor Trail and down the Brownsville Trail.
Details to follow in our calendar.

Photo from the Father's Day Young Adventurer's Club Hike

This was taken at the Father's Day Yung Adventurer's Club hike in Equinox Preservation Trust.

Hike at Hogback Ski Area

Seven of us had a great, though relaxes hike on Mt Olga, at the old Hogback Ski Area, to the summit and the fire tower. We then hiked back down a ski trail filled with giant ferns and hiked on the newly conserved Hogback Mountain preserve on some lovely wooded trails. The hike was finished off with excellent Wilcox ice cream (both creemies and hard ice cream) at the visitors center.

YAC hike on June 15

Great turn out for the combined Equinox Preservation Trust and GMC Young Adventurer's Club Hike. Stay tuned for information on the next one.

Upcoming hikes

Check the calendar for details on upcoming hikes - the next two are sunday june 16 with the Young Adventurer's Club and saturday june 22 - hope to see many of you join us.

Annual Meeting

With a turnout of 153 people the GMC annual meeting at Stratton Mtn on friday evening, saturday and saturday evening was a great success.

GMC Annual Meeting at Stratton Mountain evening of June 7 and all day and evening of June 8

Annual Meeting 2013 at Stratton Mountain

Everyone is invited to attend this annual event with hiking and fascinating presentations - and discussion of GMC's work.


Green Mountain Club Annual Meeting

Friday - Saturday, June 7-8, 2013

Register by phone - (802) 244-7037 or online at www.greenmountainclub.org

Register By June 3
 
Schedule of events

The Green Mountain Club’s upcoming Annual Meeting at Stratton Mountain Resort, hosted by the Bennington, Brattleboro, Connecticut, Manchester, and Worcester Sections, will be a full and fun weekend of activities for individuals, families, hikers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Located about 41 miles north of the Massachusetts border on the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail, Stratton Mountain holds a special place in the history of hiking.  While he was waiting for the mist to clea rnear the trail-less summit of Stratton Mountain in 1909, James P. Taylor (left, from 1914 at Stratton tower), then the associate principal of Vermont Academy in nearby Saxtons River, first conceived of a pedestrian pathway linking the summits of the Green Mountains. With this vision, Taylor and 22 other outdoor enthusiasts established the Green Mountain Club in 1910, and quickly set to work building the Long Trail. While on the summit of Stratton during the construction of the Long Trail, Benton MacKaye conceived the Appalachian Trail.  Stratton Mountain Ski Resort was established on the north peak in 1961 and grew over the years from a small ski area among many small ski areas to one of Vermont’s major resorts.
 
Annual Meeting kicks off on Friday with a work hike on the Deer Leap Trail followed by dinner at Bentley’s, the restaurant at Stratton Mountain Inn. In the evening, sit back and enjoy a slideshow presentation by Jeanne and Hugh Joudry about their experiences as Stratton Tower firewatchers and caretakers over the last forty-five years.

Saturday’s activities will begin with an early morning bird walk, followed by registration, continental breakfast, and the annual business meeting. Come and learn about club-wide happenings, hear reports from the sections, and applaud this year’s President’s Award and Honorary Life Membership recipients. Stop by the gear swap table in the morning or afternoon to drop off your secondhand clothing and equipment or search for great deals on used items, with all proceeds to benefit the club. After lunch, sign up for a guided hike or kayak, or explore the resort and the area on your own. Reduced price coupons for Hildene and the Bromley Adventure Park will also be available in place of a hike or on Sunday. Guests will reconvene at Stratton Mountain Inn at 5:00 p.m. with a cash bar and light refreshments. Visit the “Ask A Local” table for advice on things to do in the area if you choose to stay and play on Sunday. Dinner, catered by Stratton Resort, will feature barbeque fare for both meat lovers and vegetarians. We will round out the weekend with an evening presentation “Walking Through Time: Hidden History Along the Long Trail” by Dave Lacy, Green Mountain National Forest archaeologist.


DIRECTIONS TO STRATTON MOUNTAIN RESORT

The Stratton Mountain Resort access road is off of Rt 30 in Bondville. Follow the access road approximately 4 miles to the resort’s base area. Follow signs to the Stratton Mountain Inn. The conference center is located inside the Inn.


CAMPING AND LODGING

Meeting attendees may rent rooms at the Stratton Mountain Inn or one-, two-, or four-bedroom condos for reduced rates. Register for Inn rooms or condos by calling 1-800-STRATTON no later than May 24.

Camping is available at the Sun Bowl base area for free (bathroom facilities are located in the Sun Bowl base lodge). All meeting attendees will have access to the sports center for a reduced rate. This facility includes an Olympic pool, exercise equipment, hot tub, and steam room.


PET POLICY

Per Stratton Mountain Resort’s request, we’re enforcing a strict no-pet policy. Please leave your dog at home even if you are camping or just driving up for the day.


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

All events take place at the Stratton Mountain Inn Conference Center unless  noted. Per Stratton Mountain Resort’s request, we’re enforcing a strict no-pet policy. Please leave your dog at home even if you are camping or coming for the day.
 

Friday, June 7

9:00 AM            Work hike.  Deer Leap Trail.  Meet at Sherburne Pass.
5:30 PM         Dinner at Bentley’s, Stratton Mountain Inn. Pay at the door.  Cash bar. 
7:00 PM        Life on the Summit and at the Tower, Then and Now, a slide presentation by Jeanne and Hugh Joudry. (Free and open to the public.  Limited space)

Saturday, June 9

All Day                     Used gear swap run by host-section volunteers to benefit the club. 
                                 Bring secondhand outdoor clothing and equipment to exchange.       
7:00 – 8:00 AM       Bird walk with Lee Allen. Easy.
8:00 – 9:00 AM       Registration and continental breakfast. Sign up for afternoon activities.
9:00 – 11:30 AM      Annual Meeting.
11:30 – 12:30 PM    Board of Directors Meeting.
11:30 – 1:00 PM      Bagged lunches prepared by Stratton Mountain Resort. By reservation only.
1:00 PM                      Afternoon outings.  Meet in  parking lot outside Conference Center. Leaders will identify trips and set up carpools. Bring water and appropriate gear.  Distances are round trip. See list here.
5:00 – 6:00     Reception.  Light snacks, cash bar, information table on activities and hikes in the area.
6:00 – 7:00    Dinner.  Catered by Stratton Mountain Resort. By reservation only.
7:00 – 8:30     Presentation:  Walking Through Time: Hidden History Along the Long Trail by Dave Lacy, Green Mountain National Forest archaeologist.

Afternoon Hikes & Outings

Lowell Lake.  Hike or kayak (bring your own)  Easy, 3.5 miles.  There is time to do both.

Grout Pond.  Hike or kayak (bring your own.)  Easy, 4 miles.  Choose one.

Hamilton Falls.  Easy, 4.2 miles.  Hike from Ball Mountain Dam on West River Trail to Hamilton Falls Trail and back. Enjoy one of the highest waterfalls in Vermont.

Catamount Trail and Long Trail: Stratton Pond.  Easy to moderate, 5 miles.  Hike to Stratton Pond and back from North Brookwood.
       
Catamount Trail:  French Hollow to South Road.   Easy to moderate, 3.7 miles with car spot.  Hike on pretty wooded section of Catamount Trail. 

Gondola Ride:  Stratton Mountain north to summit.  Round trip scenic ride on gondola ($8.00 per person).
   
Gondola Ride and Hike:  Stratton Tower.  Easy to moderate, 1.5 or 4 miles.  Ride gondola ($8.00 per person) to Stratton’s north summit, then hike summit ridge trail to tower. Ride gondola or hike the remaining mile down.

Alpine Slide and Hike:  Long Trail to Bromley Mountain.  Moderate, 4 miles with car spot.  Hike from Route 11/30 parking lot. Return via  ski area work road and ride the alpine slide down.

Long Trail:  Prospect Rock.  Moderate, 4.9 miles with car spot.  Hike from Route 11/30 south to Prospect Rock and back.  Recommended for fast hikers only.

Stratton Tower.  Moderate to difficult, 6.5 miles.  Hike to  north summit of Stratton Mountain via a series of ski trails scouted as possible side trails to the Long Trail, following the summit ridge trail to the tower.  Steep in places, recommended for fast hikers only.

Gondola Ride and Hike for Families:  Stratton Tower.  Easy to moderate, 1.5 or 2.5 miles.  Ride the gondola ($8.00 per person) to Stratton’s north summit, then hike the summit ridge trail to the tower. Ride the gondola or hike the remaining mile down.  Children encouraged to participate.

Hike to haystack Mountain in Pawlet

Thirteen people and 5 dogs hiked to the summit of Haystack Mountain on Memorial Day in beustiful weather.
Keld Astrup provided this picture taken at the summit