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.
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