3/2 (Sat) LaPlatte Snowshoe
Snowshoe or micro-spikes primarily up the the LaPlatte River Marsh Natural area. Time permitting we can also visit the Shelburne Bay Clarke Trail or some of the Ti-Haul trail, all in Shelburne. Total distance to be determined by the group depending on the trails we take but will be between four and six miles, mostly flat. This is a chance to get familiar with the walks around Shelburne Bay and the LaPlatte. If the ice is thick enough (it should be) we will trek up the middle of the LaPlatte river. Moderate snowshoe. 4-6 miles. Ted Albers, ted@ted-albers.net.
3/3 (Sun) Mansfield Ridge
From Underhill State Park we’ll head up Sunset Ridge to the Mansfield Chin (summit), then follow the ridge to the Forehead and return via Maple Ridge and the CCC road. Difficult snowshoe. Moderate pace. 9 miles. 2600′ elevation gain. David Hathaway, david.hathaway.78@gmail.com or 899-9982.
3/9 (Sat) Mt Elmore
Easy hike/snowshoe. 4.2 miles. 1450′ elevation gain. Kim Farone, kfarone@yahoo.com.
3/16 (Sat) Mt Hunger & The Reservoir
A pre-St Patricks Day ascent of Mt Hunger, followed by a side trip to The Reservoir in Waterbury. Moderate snowshoe. 4.5 miles. 2250′ elevation gain. Phil Hazen, philhazen@comcast.net or 355-7181.
3/17 (Sun) Camels Hump Loop
We’ll start by taking Forest City Trail to Montclair Glen Lodge. Then, to avoid the steepest parts of the Long Trail south of Camels Hump, we’ll go down the Dean Trail and then up the Monroe Trail to the summit, finishing by returning down Burrows Trail. Difficult snowshoe. Moderate pace. 7.2 miles. 2900′ elevation gain. Substitute leaders, David Hathaway, david.hathaway.78@gmail.com or 899-9982, & Robynn Albert.
3/23 (Sat) Bird monitoring for WVPD
A bird monitoring walk for Delta Park, the birding hotspot for Chittenden County. Meet at 668 Windemere Way, Colchester at 8:30AM, easy walk just over a mile and a half out. Maybe the Snowy Owl will still be in town or maybe there will be some early migrants to see. As always I have field guides and binoculars available to borrow. Juli Tyson, americorps@wvpd.org or 978-994-0482.
3/30 (Sat) Laraway Lookout – CANCELLED
The forecast on the mountain for Saturday is for up to 1/4 inch of rain with winds up to 45 mph. Hiking in snow is OK, but hiking in driving rain is no fun. (and it doesn’t help that I think I’m getting a cold…)
From the Long Trail parking on Codding Hollow Road we’ll follow the Long Trail up to see the ice formations on the rock wall below the Laraway summit, continue to the Laraway Lookout, and return. Microspikes absolutely required, as the ice below the cliffs can be extensive, and snowshoes required since the trail may not be well packed. Moderate snowshoe. Moderate pace. 4.5 miles. 1600′ elevation gain. David Hathaway, david.hathaway.78@gmail.com or 899-9982.
3/30 (Sat) Winter Birds
Snowy Owl? Snow Buntings? Bald Eagles on the ice? Trees full of Bohemian Waxwings? Rafts of diving ducks, loons and grebes? We’ll go where the birds are! Easy outing of about three hours, 1-2 leisurely miles. Bring binoculars or use one of our extra pairs. Dress warmly; moving slowly is way chillier than hiking fast! Easy . 1-2 miles. Maeve Kim, 899-4327 or maevulus@surfglobal.net.
3/31 (Sun) Hurricane Mt. (ADKs, 3694′).
Good-bye winter, hello spring. We will climb from the height of land on NY 9N to the summit fire tower from which we will enjoy the panorama of Vermont’s Green Mountains and the Adirondack’s high peaks. Moderate snowshoe. 5.5 miles. 2000′ elevation gain. Group limit 8. Contact leader by 3/30. Mary Lou Recor, mlrecor@myfairpoint.net or 660-2834.
