60-degree temps are returning; so is hiking
Flowers shine in the sun in Killington, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
We haven’t been able to say this in a while: We have four days of over-60-degree weather in the Woodstock, Vermont, forecast from Wednesday to Saturday. Tuesday is close, expected to hit 57.
The increasing warm weather has meant more time outside, more sports, more wildlife — all the things we love about the warmer season. It also means mud season, which requires some careful attention when planning hiking trips. The Green Mountain Club, which maintains the Long Trail, asks people to avoid using trails with mud, even if they’re not officially closed (as many state forest trails are, due to the conditions).
But lower-elevation trails dry out faster, and the club has some suggestions for what trails to hike that are below 2,500 feet. Mount Ascutney in Windsor, Mount Philo in Charlotte, and “dirt roads statewide” are on the list of staff favorites. Also on the site are suggested day hikes by location and mileage, as well as state-owned trails that are open by location and mileage. The Green Mountain Club has some words of wisdom for hikers at its website, under their “Other things to consider” section.
The group also correctly states, “Mud season is also the time when the natural world comes alive.” They provide some additional ways to explore the natural world, such as this article on spring peepers or their video on Alpine plant communities. For those history-lovers, the video shares some historical notes on the Green Mountain Club and its many contributions to Vermont.
The joy of such familiar outdoor activities, like the gladness of seeing old friends again, adds a certain freedom to life. It’s a freedom that a sunny spring day with a calm breeze uniquely provides, with its natural atmosphere of progress. That uplifting feeling supports us as we continue through 2021, it helps sustain hope, and it reminds us that so many of the things we love about the Green Mountains are still there to greet us in the outdoors. That’s a comforting thought — one that makes the sun shine a little brighter.
— Gareth Henderson
