Weekend Outings
Bring drinking water and a lunch. Wear sturdy footwear, dress appropriately for the weather and be prepared for weather changes. Distances are round trip and are approximate, as are elevation gains. Hike leader has discretion to refuse anyone who is not adequately prepared. Proof of vaccination may be required. Call the hike leader for meeting place and time, and if you reserve a space and are unable to go, please let the leader know ASAP so that someone else can take your place. If you are sick or have any symptoms, please stay home and join us next time.
Wednesday Hikes for Seniors
The Godnick Adult Center sponsors a series of hikes at a less strenuous pace for adults and older adults. Hikes
typically cover 2-4 miles, involve limited to moderate elevation gain, and try to avoid treacherous footing.
Participants should bring water, lunch and bug spray. Hikers are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear, long
sleeves/pants(to protect against ticks), and be prepared for Vermont weather.
Meet at 9 a.m. at the Godnick Center, 1 Deer Street to carpool. We return in the early to mid-afternoon. For further details, call the hike leader listed on the schedule. All are welcome. NOTE: Hikes are subject to change due to weather and/or trail conditions. (…..and please, no dogs.)
SLATE HISTORY TRAIL, Bomoseen
West Castleton Slate Company 22 Cedar Mountain Rd, Fair Haven, VT, United StatesA safe, easy walk for hunting season to explore the abandoned village of the West Castleton Slate Company. We’ll poke around the ruins of the dam and the 1868 slate mill, then take a scenic walk along the lake shore to a quarry site, returning for lunch by the lake at the State Park. 2…
SLATE VALLEY TRAILS, Poultney
Bring snowshoes or skis if it snows, hiking boots if it doesn’t, to explore this varied and beautiful network of trails. Options include woods, a pond or a scenic view, leader will decide based on weather and trail conditions. Vaccination required. 5-6 miles, moderate.
CHAPMAN FARM SITE & CEMETERY, West Haven
Galick Farm West Haven, VT, United StatesDepending on the weather, we will hike, snowshoe or ski from the Nature Conservancy Buckner Preserve trailhead at the Galick Farm across used and unused farm fields and through a little woods to a farm site overlooking Lake Champlain. We’ll walk down to a little cemetery near the shore, where some of the Chapmans are…
SPRUCE PEAK, Manchester
Mancheter, VT Manchester, VT, United StatesWe’ll head south on the Long Trail, ascending the ridge and with a short, steep scramble at the end to reach a scenic view. Snowshoes and/or traction devices will be needed depending on conditions. 4.8 miles, moderate with some steep bits. Vaccination recommended for carpooling.
HOT DOG ROAST, Lake St. Catherine State Park, Poultney
Lake St. Catherine 3034 VT-30, , VT, Poultney, VT, United StatesWe’re reviving a Killington Section mid-winter tradition! Bring hot dogs or whatever you’d like to roast over the fire, and snowshoes or spikes for a short hike. Vaccination recommended for carpooling.
CADWELL TRAIL, Pittsford
Pittsford, VT Pittsford, VT, United StatesSnowshoe or ski along Otter Creek, where we may see otter tracks and slides. 2.5 miles easy to moderate, and if it’s too nice a day to go home, we have the option to add another nearby trail. Vaccination recommended for carpooling.
LOST POND TRAIL, Pharoah Lake Wilderness Area, Chilson, NY
Chilson, NY Chilson, NY, United StatesThe trail starts at Putnam Pond Campground and ascends gradually to Lost Pond. We will then hike the one-mile loop around the pond and return the way we came. The loop around the pond has some moderately steep, rocky sections at the far end. Total distance 4 miles, moderate, micro-spikes or snowshoes may be needed.…
MUD SEASON MAPLE MEANDER, East Poultney
East Poultney, VT East Poultney, VT, United StatesPlease join us for a walk near a local sugarhouse that will include part dirt road with an historic cemetery and old school-house, hemlocks, hardwoods, & cows, and part off-road hiking or snowshoeing (if Mother Nature cooperates). Spikes & hiking sticks may be useful if the back roads are still icy, 2 – 4 miles.…
KILLINGTON SECTION ANNUAL MEETING, 1 p.m., Godnick Center, Deer St., Rutland
Godnick Center Deer Street, Rutland, VT, United StatesAll are welcome to join us for a short business meeting and election of officers, followed by snacks and socializing out in the yard. It’s a great way to meet folks who share an interest in outdoor recreation, and learn about our work protecting and maintaining Vermont’s Long Trail. Vaccination recommended. Bring snacks to share…
TUCKER JOHNSON SHELTER, Killington
Killington, VT Killington, VT, United StatesWe’ll follow the Long/Appalachian Trail north from Route 4, climbing steadily to Maine Junction, then take the Long Trail to the shelter. (If the trail is muddy, an alternate destination may be chosen.) 3 miles, moderate, with some steep climbing. Vaccination recommended for carpooling.
LOW ELEVATION LONG TRAIL CLEAN-UP, Shrewsbury/Cuttingsville/Wallingford
Join us for our annual day of clean-up and maintenance, preparing the trail for the hiking season. We will clear waterbars, trim brush and cut blowdowns on the lower-elevation stretches. Bring work gloves, sturdy shoes and lunch, tools will be provided.
WILDFLOWER WALK
An easy-to-moderate hike to admire the woodland flowers of spring. Mother Nature is fickle, so the location will be determined by how the season advances. If spring is very late this year an alternate date may be needed. Spring is also a great time to spot birds, so bring binoculars if you wish. Vaccination recommended…
See the Godnick Adult Center newsletter on their website for the rest of the summer hike schedule. Also find information there about the Understanding the Woods hikes offered on the second Thursday of the month, 9:30–10:30, at Pine Hill Park, Oak Street Ext. Join Sharon Shea for a monthly exploration of our relationship to our woodlands. During the hike Sharon will moderate discussion about the ecological history of our woodlands and their continuing importance in our lives. Participants will be encouraged to engage and contribute throughout the hike.
By participating community members will gain some physical activity, social interaction and knowledge of the
natural environment within the park. The next date will be June 13. Registration is required for the Understanding the Woods series, free, suggested donation $5.