Home

---

The Northeast Kingdom Section of Vermont’s Green Mountain Club provides and preserves hiking opportunities and supports land and wildlife stewardship in the Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont.

Our Summer Newsletter is out! Ramblings 7-1

Our Summer Meeting Minutes are out! Minutes

---

UPCOMING EVENTS

Moose Mountain to Herbert Hawkes Hike – Friday, September 26th

Join me on a hike to flag the Moose Mountain, Brookside, Mt. Hor, and Herbert Hawkes trail in preparation for the Westmore Mountain Challenge. We will take spur trails to viewpoints and summit both Moose and Hor. I usually plan on 1 mile per hour hike time, that includes breaks and we will be done hiking by 3PM. This is a 6.5 mile hike with 2058 feet of elevation gain and requires a car drop prior to the hike. RSVP for details at gmcnek@gmail.com

Map: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/willoughby-state-forest-hiking-trails

Westmore Mountain Challenge – Mad Brook Station, Saturday, September 27th

Once again we will be sponsoring the aid station at the Mad Brook Trailhead. This annual Northwoods Stewardship event is popular with our members as well. Not only do some members participate, we also help get the trails ready, flag trails, and volunteer the day of the event. For more information Westmore Mountain Challenge . More details to come.

Over 60 Hike Series: Mt. Pisgah (via Mt. Pisgah South Trail) – Saturday, October 4th, 9AM

Join Author and Hiker Philip Werner in this installment of the Over 60 Hike Series to Mt. Pisgah.

Mount Pisgah has stunning clifftop views of Lake Willoughby and Mt Hor on the other side of the lake. Sculpted by glaciers,  the sides of Pisgah and Hor drop dramatically to the lake and then continue underwater to form the deepest lake that is entirely in the state of Vermont (over 300 feet in places.) We will follow the South Trail, past Pulpit Rock, and up to the summit and return by the same route. Total distance 3.9 miles with 1590 feet of elevation gain. Hike time: 3 hours. Limit of 8 participants; pre-registration required. Meet at Mount Pisgah South Trailhead in Orleans, near Lake Willoughby.

This hike is for anyone over 60 who wants to incorporate more hiking into their lives. Any level of experience is welcome. Philip Werner is a Green Mountain Club board member and author of Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults. He’s an experienced hiking guide who has hiked and backpacked extensively in Vermont and New Hampshire.

The event is open to anyone in order to facilitate the broadest participation. Group size has been capped at 8, and I’ll be sending out directions/hike instructions beforehand. While I’m a very seasoned hike leader, I’d certainly welcome additional help if you’re interested in joining us and, of course, to meet you in person. 

Registration is required. A trip description and registration page are listed here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/greenmountainclub/1856858

Wood Stacking Weekend, Friday – Monday, October 10th – 13th

We have scheduled another weekend at Wheeler Pond Camps to stack wood, hike, eat, and camp. Arrive on Friday afternoon and stay at either Jean Haigh Cabin or Hadsel-Mares Camp. Awake Saturday morning to Amish donuts (or coffeecake) and coffee (provided by NEKGMC), then stack wood, stop for lunch, then continue to stack, or enjoy and afternoon hike. End the evening around a campfire, then again stay at either cabins. On Sunday, more Amish donuts (or coffeecake) and coffee (provided by NEKGMC) and either wood stacking or a morning hike, potluck lunch and at 1PM our Fall meeting at Jean Haigh Cabin. Stay another night at Jean Haigh Cabin to end the weekend. Members and non-members welcome. Please RSVP gmcnek@gmail.com to confirm your overnight stay.

---

Long Trail Day – Hike-a-Thon, Saturday, September 20th

Our Long Trail Day Hike-A-Thon event was a huge success! Team Kingdom Express exceeded our goal to raise $2000 by $777 and also received the “most donor’s” badge for a team. It was a perfect day for the Long Trail Day hike, with only minor logistic issues (flat tire) getting to the car drop and trailhead. Victor dropped Paul and Linda off at Hazen’s Notch, then headed to Jay Pass to promote Long Trail Day with the folks from the Northern Frontier Section. Meanwhile, the rest of us headed south on a 7 mile journey to the Frank Post Trailhead. All agreed this was a strenuous hike. After climbing forever, we took a break at the Haystack summit, then continued on over Tillotson, to Tillotson Camp. We took a short break there, then were off down the Frank Post trail to meet Victor and Paul’s vehicle. After we all enjoyed a good meal at Cajun’s Snack Bar where we sat in the sun and reminisced about the hike. Donations are still being excepted for Team Kingdom Express to help the Green Mountain Club reach their fundraising goal.

Percy Peak Loop Hike – Saturday, August 23rd

Four of us hiked up North Percy Peak in the Nash Stream Forest of NH. The overall length of the hike including road walk is 6.2 miles with 2234 feet of elevation gain. A section of the trail is very steep and the trail to the summit is above treeline on open rock. The forest was very dry with lots of plants wilting and very few mushrooms. We did find Indian Cucumber to sample along the way. The views were phenomenal with perfectly clear skies, we could see Mt. Washington off in the distance.

For more information: Percy Peaks – Trail Finder https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/percy-peaks

Bald Mountain Volunteer Carry – Monday, August 11th

Wheeler Mountain Hike & Celebration, Saturday, August 2nd

“Sweet celebration of a sunny Saturday! Wheeler Mountain never fails to be an amazing hike! We had the mountain to ourselves until heading down….met numerous others enjoying the day!” – Susan “Great day hiking with NEK GMC! Thank you Susan Peters Winsor for leading this hike!” – John

May Pond Paddle & Picnic – Friday, August 1st

“Thank you to all who came out to paddle May Pond yesterday on one of the best weather days I can recall in Vermont. Thank you to Morgan for capturing the heron in flight leading us around the North shore of the pond.” – Ava “Thank you Ava and Julie for offering the special paddle and picnic at May Pond. It was a perfect afternoon! And thank you to Morgan for the photos! And for everyone else that came for the great company and food!” – Susan

Clyde River Early Morning Paddle – Tuesday, July 29th

What a delightful paddle this morning! Tom, Jen, Susan, Kanootti and I paddled Pensioner to the Clyde in beautiful conditions….warm, but the wind and some cloud cover kept it quite tolerable, with a few herons to watch, the loon family, beavers and small birds along the shoreline, and a beautiful bald eagle soaring past us as we launched! Thanks for the great company willing to get out early and paddle with us. GMC NEK is the best! Adventures of the Vermont Paddle Pups. Susan, “Great early morning paddle on the Clyde River. Eagles, loons, a beaver, a heron, song birds, water lilies, duck potatoes, pickerel weed……thank you, Sheila Bergin Goss, for guiding us (and for the cookies).”

Flagg Pond Paddle  – Saturday, July 26th

Four of us paddling Flagg Pond this morning. Peaceful, quiet water.

NEK GMC Quarterly Hike, Potluck, & Summer Meeting, Sunday, July 20th

The weather was iffy, still Steve led a few to the Hurricane. After a potluck lunch, and meeting inside Lenny’s Camp.

---

Brighton Trails Day, Saturday, June 21st

On Saturday, in coordination with Brighton Recreation, Northwoods Stewardship, Brighton State Park, Silvio O’Conte Wildlife Refuge, and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources we offered several hikes on local trails in the area. Out of seven hikes offered, people only signed up for three, those were; the Gore Mountain East Trail, River Walk & Moose Bog, and the Bluff Community Trail. It was another fun day in the NEK!

GMC’s 115th Annual Meeting and Hike, Saturday, June 14th

The Green Mountain Club held its 115th Annual Meeting at club headquarters in Waterbury Center. Three NEK Members attended the meeting. We enjoyed interacting with other sections and the main club staff. We sat in three separate groups and learned about Corridor Management and protecting the trail, trail maintenance and educational opportunities, and this year’s planned work on the Long Trail.  After the meeting, I will be les a hike on the Long Trail to Duxbury Window. This is a 3 mile out and back, with 1093 feet of elevation gain. Members from the Bennington, Manchester, and Burlington sections joined me on the hike.

Map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/vermont/duxbury-window-viewpoint-and-long-trail  (trail description is inaccurate, if you read the description they hiked past Duxbury Window)

Mount Mansfield Hike, Saturday, June 7th

Marcia, Barbara, and I participated in this National Trail Day Hike, on the Laura Cowles Trail hike to the summit of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, returning on the Sunset Ridge Trail. The views were limited by clouds and smoke from the Canada wildfires, but we were able to have a few. We met at the Community National Bank in Island Pond and carpooled about 2 hrs. to Underhill State Park. This hike is was very challenging, a steep, rocky, and steady uphill climb about 6.2 miles round-trip with 2546 feet of elevation gain. The hike down had plenty of open views of the mountain and valleys below, we did encounter some wet and slippery terrain.

Map & Directions: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/underhill-state-park-hiking-trails

Award Presented to Michael Chernick and Local Hike, Saturday, May 3rd

Saturday, Cathi and I made a trip to Montpelier to present Michael with his award that he received at the Annual Meeting on Zoom. Michael was very appreciative of the award and expressed that we caught him by surprise, and that he was very thankful. After, Hope led us on a wildflower hike in Calais.

NEK GMC Annual Hike, Potluck, Meeting, Sunday, March 30th

The weather caused us to change our plans from an in-person hike, potluck and meeting to a virtual Zoom meeting. Seventeen people participated and reelected all members or our executive committee. We also celebrated volunteer Michael Chernick and virtually presented him with the Treeline Terrains NEK GMC Section award for his 25 years of volunteerism and service to our section and the Green Mountain Club. Luke O’Brien, Steve Farrow, Mike Debonis, and Cathi Brooks all expressed gratitude and shared memories. Cathi, Luke, Mike and Maria all shared news and updates. Kevin is busy organizing trails and adopters for another season. Paul, Victor, Susan, and Beth all provided updates. Summer hiking events are in the planning stages.

 

Burke Mountain Hike, Saturday, March 22nd

Green Mountain Club Member Matt Dickstein led a hiking expedition on Burke Mountain, he was joined by one other person. They switched from spikes to snowshoes, back to spikes, and finally to bare boots. The snow-covered trail heading in was a dirt trail on the way out. Gorgeous day. Tons of snow up top, gorgeous views, a fire tower and nice company. Hike total 6 miles round trip x 2,000′ vertical ascent.

Codding Hollow to Laraway Lookout, Monday, March 3rd

As always, this was an amazing winter hike! It’s a 4.4 miles out and back on the Long Trail with 1,547 feet of elevation gain. Snowshoes were required. Eight of us participated in this challenging hike, mostly uphill with some steep sections.

Map & Directions: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/laraway-mountain

Victory Basin to Stone Dam – Saturday, February 8th

Cathi led us to the Stone Dam in the Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area from Damon Crossing. This one is accessible only in the winter when the bog is frozen, and snowshoes were required. The trail follows an old railroad line and is not maintained, parts of the trail were marked by orange flags. We hiked this 3.5 mile out and back with 174 feet of elevation gain.

Map: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/victory-state-forest-trails

Split Rock Snowshoe – Friday, February 7th

Morgan and John met at the Community National Bank in Island Pond just before 8AM and left for the Gore Mountain Trailhead. We received weather alerts on our phones and had blinding snow squalls along the way. The trail was unbroken and we were sinking 14″ to 15″ into the snow from the start. As we took turns leading, we decided our goal for the day would be Gore Junction. This hike was a 2.5 mile out and back with 434 feet of elevation gain.

Map: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4520791483

Jean Haigh Cabin Wood Project – Tuesday, February 4th

The weather prevented a good turnout for this event. Paul moved wood between the two cabins. After that, he removed ash from the wood stoves. It was tricky getting in and out of there with the weather.

Kettle Pond Snowshoe – Sunday, February 2nd

Victor Caamano led small group of 3 on this sweet 3 mile+ loop which circles a beautiful glacial pond passing by numerous primitive camping areas and lean-tos. It was -14F at the start, 1 degree when we finished.

Map and info: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/groton-state-forest-kettle-pond

Unknown Pond Snowshoe – Friday, January 24th, 8:30AM

Starting at the Unknown Pond Trailhead we snowshoed to the Kingdom Heritage Trail, then to the elusive Unknown Pond. This was a 4.25 mile out and back with several stream crossings. It was a challenging hike, because we were breaking trail all the way.

Bluff Community Trail Snowshoe – Saturday, January 18th

The trailhead was not plowed, so we parked beside the road. We snowshoed the Bluff Community Trail to the Overlook. This hike is 3.5 miles round-trip with 1216 feet of elevation gain, it’s considered a moderately difficult hike. We were lucky that two others had broke trail ahead of us. The wind at the overlook was steady and we didn’t stay long.

Map & info: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/bluff-mountain-community-trail

NEK GMC Winter Meeting – Sunday, January 12th

We held our quarterly meeting at Northwoods Stewardship Center. The morning started with skiing and snowshoeing and 20 people participating, followed by a potluck lunch, then 18 attendees stayed for our quarterly meeting. Activities started at 10AM, followed by potluck at 12:30PM, and meeting beginning at 1PM. The day will ended around 2:44PM. A special thank you to Maria for leading the skiing event and to Northwoods Stewardship Center for hosting us.

Brighton State Park First Day Hike – Wednesday, January 1st

Nine joined us for a First Day Hike at Brighton State Park, a tradition of the Vermont State Parks and the Green Mountain Club. We followed the Shoreline Trail to Council Point then returned on the Main Loop Trail. Total distance was 2.5 miles.

More information: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/brighton-state-park

Bartlett Mountain First Day Hike – Wednesday, January 1st

Susan led a First Day Hike (Snowshoe), a tradition of the Vermont State Parks and the Green Mountain Club.
Following the CCC Road in Willoughby State Forest for a nice leisurely snowshoe with lots of conversation! Four miles and a temperature that had most everyone shedding a layer, but happy to say, no rain!!!! And of course, being we do trail maintenance, this tree across the trail had to be removed! Have saw, will clean up!

Map: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/willoughby-state-forest-ski-trails

Mad Brook Trail Hike to Summit of Bald Mountain – Wednesday, December 18

Paul and I snowshoed  the Mad Brook Trail to the summit of Bald Mountain. This hike is a 4.6 mile out and back, with 1415 feet of elevation gain. It ended up being more than we expected with dozens of downed trees. We crawled under, over, and went around blowdowns, too numerous to count.

Map and directions: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/bald-mountain-trails

Jean Haigh Memorial Hike on the CCC Road – Sunday, December 8th

Five years ago, the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club lost a memorable leader. She was an avid hiker and inspiration to all. In 2019, we celebrated her life with a well-attended saunter up the CCC Road in Westmore. It was decided to repeat this saunter, to keep the memory of Jean alive and to introduce others to the wonderful lady she was.The roads were snow covered getting there, but a few of us were able to make it! We had a great snowshoe hike on the CCC Road, Bartlett Road, and Middle Loop. About a 4.6 mile snowshoe.

Map: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/willoughby-state-forest

Cow Mountain Loop Hike  – Tuesday, November 12th

We enjoyed a windy gray day in the woods. The beaver dams and ponds were a sight to see, with traces of snow on the ground.

Map and Details: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/cow-mountain-pond

Golden Trail Saunter – Saturday, November 2nd

One of the cool things about our group is that we not only hike the trails, but we also cannot help ourselves and maintain them too! We spent time clearing brush and branches from the trail. We paused to remember Jean along the way. The new moldering toilet is a sight to see! Who brought that saw anyways? 

 

 

Gore East Saunter – Friday, October 18th

Wood Stacking Weekend – Friday, October 11th – Sunday, October 13th

Another fun and successful Wood Stacking Weekend! It would have been a lot more work if the students from Sterling College and NCSU hadn’t done “the lion’s share” of the work! We so much appreciate your help! Thank you!

Friday evening was beautiful at Jean Haigh Cabin, then Amish donuts and coffee cake Saturday morning with coffee, followed by some good wood stacking, first by wheelbarrow, then forming a line. We finished before noon, ate lunch, then played corn hole for the rest of the afternoon. The evening ended with some games. Sunday morning started with Amish donuts and coffee cake with coffee, then a hike to Moose Ledge. The potluck lunch was delicious! Then our quarterly meeting. Thank you to all the volunteers!

Westmore Mountain Challenge – Saturday, September 28th

We (GMCNEK) sponsored a rest/aid station at the Mad Brook Trailhead supplying snacks and refreshments to participants of the Westmore Mountain Challenge hosted by Northwoods Stewardship. Volunteers spent time at this station throughout the day; we had a great time and enjoyed being part of the days event. Thank you to Charles, Morgan, and Julia from Northwoods for spending the day with us (and the ride to BBQ).

Moose Mountain to Herbert Hawkes Hike – Friday, September 27th

This ended up being a solo hike. It’s the 3rd year that I have flagged this section of trail for the Westmore Mountain Challenge. The temperatures were perfect and the view are fantastic! I started hiking at 8AM and reached the Herbert Hawkes Trailhead at 1PM, that included all viewpoints and both summits. Another great day in the woods!

Long Trail Day – Saturday, September 21st

This year Team Kingdom Express hiked the Long Trail south from Jay Pass (VT 242) to Hazen’s Notch (VT 58) . Seven of us started hiking from Jay Pass headed for the summit of Gilpin Mountain, spirits were high and the weather was excellent. We had a great day hiking. Team Kingdom Express raised $2,481 for Long Trail Day and the GMC! Thank you!

Donation are being accepted until October 1st. Join Team Kingdom Express and donate to the Green Mountain Club.

Past Events

If you would like to see more of our past events just follow this link: History of Past Events – 2024

If you would like to see more of our past events just follow this link: History of Past Events – 2023

If you would like to see more of our past events just follow this link: History of Past Events – 2022

If you would like to see more of our past events just follow this link: History of Past Events – 2021

If you would like to see more of our past events just follow this link: History of Past Events – 2020

If you would like to see more of our past events just follow this link: History of Past Events prior to 2020