Enter our Cabin Naming Contest and Win a Free Stay

Four new campground cabins will be ready for use in Woodford State Park starting this spring, but right now two of them are nameless. So, we're having a cabin naming contest!

The cabins have to be named after native Vermont flowers. So, all you have to do is tell us which flowers we should choose and why! The other two have already been named Gentian and Trillium so all other flower names are available.

Send your entry to: parks@state.vt.us with "Cabin naming contest" in the subject. In the email include your name, address, and your names and explanations by March 1, 2012. You can also mail entries to us at 103 South Main Street, 10 South, Waterbury, VT 05671.

The lucky winners will be announced mid-March. As their prize, they will able to stay for two nights in their named cabin, and we’ll also post a framed write up and photo in the cabin all season!

You can make history and decide what these cabins should be called – forever! Good luck and let the "Names" begin!

For more information visit www.vtstateparks.com or call 1-888-409-7579.

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Red Throated (no, make that a Common Loon) Rescue at Sand Bar State Park!

Bob Dill shared a first hand account of a unique sighting (and rescue) yesterday through Vermont Birds Listserv. We'd like to share his tale:

Bill and a friend, named Phelps, were ice skating off Sand Bar State Park yesterday and soon spotted a distressed red-throated loon on the ice of Lake Champlain. The ice was inhibiting the bird from taking off; it was too slippery. They came ashore for advice and more equipment.

After several calls, they finally got a hold of Carol Winfield in Westford who walked them through how to capture, transport, and release the loon safely. The two men borrowed an extra car coat from a neighbor of Phelps' who happened by at just the right time and skated back out to the bird. Luckily, the capture was straight forward and went off smoothly. The loon was walked back in rather than skating to reduce the risk of falling with the bird.

Bill and Phelps took a short drive to a bridge where rocks near the bridge were free of ice, allowing easy access to ice free water. Bill was able to place the bird near the waters edge, remove the coat, and give it a little nudge. The loon dove into the water immediately and repeatedly. Success!

Bill plans on checking tomorrow to verify that it has moved on. It was his first and, he is sure, closest encounter with a red throated loon. Click here to see pictures of the bird and a short video of the capture.



Update: Bridget Butler and a lot of folks were talking about and reviewing photos over the weekend and now the consensus is that this is a Common Loon, not a Red Throated Loon. Read More......

A Question Asked and Answered: Some Really Interesting Camel's Hump History

Tin huts on Camel's Hump clearing

We get questions of all kinds in our reservation call center, many relating to the history of certain land parcels. We're always amazed by what we learn, and thought you might be interested in this one:

A person wrote to us about the restoration of Camel's Hump as follows: "I came across some old photos of tin huts on the upper portion of the mountain that were used by hikers and, I guess, maintained by the GMC back in the 1920's and 1930's. I understand that those intrusions have since been removed and wonder if you can tell me when this laudable action took place?"

Gary Sawyer, Stewardship Forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation is my go-to guy for all things Camel's Hump. He knows everything about 'The Hump'. He sent some photos and this reply:

Camel's Hump hotel



During the mid to late 1800’s, into the early 1900’s, it was quite popular for folks from ‘down-country’ to travel on a train ‘up-country’ for a ‘wilderness’ experience. One of the destination locations was Camel’s Hump. The train would stop at the North Duxbury depot, from where visitors would take a horse drawn carriage part way up the mountain, resume their trek on horseback much of the rest of the way, and ‘hike’ the remaining short distance from the now called hut clearing.



Camel's Hump Club hut

This hut clearing is located at the present junction of the Monroe, Burrows, and Long Trails, about 0.3 miles below the summit. This clearing was probably the location of the Green Mountain House, a hotel built by Sam Ridley and sons in 1859 for the travelers, photo attached. This structure burned down in 1875.

The Camel’s Hump Club, a Waterbury based hiking group (not the Green Mountain Club), starting in 1908, used the hut clearing for 4 tents, which were replaced with 3 huts in 1912, photos attached. These huts were removed in the 1950’s. There was also an observation building built on the very summit of the mountain, photo attached.



By the way, this land (a 1,000 acre parcel, including the hut clearing) was donated to the State of Vermont by Col. Joseph Battell in 1911.

Camel's Hump observatory





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A Loon Rescue, a Bird Attack, and Rare Spottings

The loon rescue using the new airboat

Loon enthusiast and VT State Parks Program Host, Eric Hanson, took part in an exciting loon rescue just before the new year. Eric posted the following story on his blog for Vermont Center for Ecostudies:

A wounded loon could not take flight from his home in Lake Eligo, (Greensboro, VT) when it began to freeze over. This little bird endured a week of less and less open water while fending off bald eagle attacks until his hole finally froze over completely.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept. Game Warden, Russ Shopland, came to the rescue using a newly acquired airboat to scoop up the injured loon. (the rescue team took this opportunity to do a practice run of a thin ice rescue)

The loon during recovery
in Eric's bathtub

After the rescue, Eric nursed the loon in his bathtub, feeding him minnows while his wing was healing and sent us the following update:

The loon had an old break in his wing as an x-ray from Lamoille Valley Vets showed, but the bone was still a bit out of alignment. The loon could fly but only for short bursts, and was fine in the water. He easily could live out his life as long as he didn't have to fly. The ocean was where he needed to be. Eric called some folks who offered to drive the loon to the coast and added that it would be part of their New Year's celebration. They delivered this loon along with a second one (who had crash landed on a road in Morrisville the morning of New Year's Eve, likely disoriented or making last attempt to escape a frozen section of the Lamoille River) to Casco Bay in the early evening a week ago. It all worked out!

An Eastern Screech Owl

In other birding news, reports have come in through UVM's VTBIRD listserv on other interesting bird activity, such as two from Eric Hynes of South Burlington. While out spotting with a friend, Eric watched as a Belted Kingfisher was repeatedly swooped upon by a Peregrine Falcon. Each pass sent the kingfisher plunging into the chilly waters of Lake Champlain. Eventually, the kingfisher managed to get onto shore and into the trees where the peregrine had to give up his bullying attacks.

During this same trip, Hynes reported some of his first sightings for 2012. In D.A.R. State Park, 444 Lesser Scaups, 244 Common Goldeneye, 11 White-winged Scoters, and a Long-tailed duck were all seen. In southern Chittenden County, Hynes also spotted 7 Great Horned Owls and an Eastern Screech Owl! According to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/htm96/cbc622/ra3730.html), it is unusual for Eastern Screech Owls to be in Vermont in the winter months, so for one to be spotted is quite a rare sight. Finally, near Champlain Bridge, Hynes and two birding friends spotted over 1,000 Common Mergansers and over 1,000 Common Goldeneye!

It's a great time of year to get outside and into nature where when you are still and quiet, you might spot more activity than you would think. Many species of bird head south in the winter, but those that stick around can be easier to spot and hear. The lack of foliage makes hiding in the trees not so easy and their calls are less muted by vegetation, so keep an eye and ear out for Vermont's winter birds! Read More......

Join Us for a Guided New Year's Day Hike in a Vermont State Park

A bright day for a winter hike

Vermont State Parks is excited to be hosting nine guided hikes on New Year's Day. Start off your New Year's resolutions on the right foot by getting outdoors and being active on the first day of 2012! We hope you'll join our experienced guides for a free family hike in one of our state parks.

Remember to dress for the weather, bring snowshoes (if there’s snow), and bring your own beverages/snacks. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and most importantly, have fun!

No registration is required. For status of a hike or other updates, please call 802-241-3663 on 12/31 and 1/1. See details for each hike below.

Little River State Park (morning & afternoon hikes)
Morning Hike Leader: Sherry Winnie, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (www.vtstateparks.com/)
Meet: 10:00 am at Little River State Park's Contact Station
Hike Details: 1 hr +/-, easy to moderate terrain on park roads and trails


A fresh snowfall can
make the scenery magical

Afternoon Hike Leader: Dave Hardy, Green Mountain Club (http://www.greenmountainclub.org/)
Meet: 12:00 pm at Little River State Park's Contact Station
Hike Details: 1 - 2 hrs, easy to moderate terrain on park roads and trails

Kingsland Bay State Park
Hike Leader: Bruce Acciavatti, Wonder Walks
(http://www.wonderwalks.com/)
Meet: 1:00 pm Entrance gate at Kingsland Bay State Park
Hike: 2+hours on easy to moderate park trails through designated natural area (please, no dogs on this one)

Kettle Pond State Park
Hike Leader: Greg Western, Cross Vermont Trail Association (www.crossvermont.org)
Meet: 11:00 am Kettle Pond parking area in the Groton State Forest
Hike Details: 1 hr +/-, easy to moderate terrain on park trails

Groton Nature Center Loop
Hike Leader: Susan Bulmer, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (www.vtstateparks.com)
Meet: 10:00 am at Groton Nature Center in the Groton State Forest
Hike Details: 1 mi loop trail (or longer depending on the wishes of the group!), easy to moderate terrain

Hikers going
up Mt. Mansfield

Underhill State Park
Hike Leader: John Connell, Greenmont Farm (http://www.greenmontfarms.com/)
Meet: 1:00 pm at the Underhill State Park entrance gate
Hike Details: 1+ hrs, easy to moderate terrain on park roads and trails, bring a warm beverage and a snack to enjoy at the pass!

Woodford State Park
Hike Leader: George Prouty, Pickett Hill Guide Service (www.picketthillguideservice.com)
Meet: 1:00 pm at snowmobile parking lot across from the entrance to Woodford State Park
Hike Details: 1+ hrs, easy to moderate terrain on park roads and trails

Gifford Woods State Park
Hike Leader: Scott Davison, Naturalist, Writer, and former Park Ranger
Meet: 1:00 pm at Gifford Woods State Park's winter trail access (near the regional maintenance shop)
Hike Details: 1 hrs +, moderate terrain on park trails

Molly Stark State Park
Hike Leader: Randy Knaggs, Marlboro College and Debbie Dorset, Catamount Trail Association (www.catamounttrail.org)
Meet: 10:00 am at the entrance gate to Molly Stark State Park
Hike Details: 2 hrs +/-, moderate terrain on park roads and trails following the ridge to Hogback Mountain

A special thanks to Vermont Outdoor Guide Association members for stepping up and volunteering to guide many of these hikes. We appreciate your support and help!

Even if you aren't up for a guided hike, all of the state parks are open for off-season use, and we courage you to use them (click here for trail map & guides)! There are no facilities or running water, but the park entry is free and we ask folks to park outside the gate.

We hope to see you out there! Read More......

Harpoon's "Vermont Spruce Tip" Ale Made from Vermont State Forest Spruce Tips!



Norway spruce tips

Harpoon Brewery's, Tom Graham, recently created a specialty beer for the fall/winter season named Vermont Spruce Tip Ale using spruce buds harvested from Downer State Forest in Sharon, VT (Vermont's second state forest). Drawing his inspiration from the book, The Homebrewer's Garden, Tom sought out the help of State Forester, Tim Morton who knew just the right place to harvest the beer's main ingredient, young spruce tips.

Downer State Forest has a large stand of Norway spruce that hides an understory of spruce saplings. These young evergreens offer easy-to-pick tips or buds. "Harvested at their tender, ripe, bright green peak, the spruce tips impart citrus, pine, spice, herbal and earthy notes" (from Harpoon's website, a description of Vermont Spruce Tip Ale). For the amount of beer that Harpoon wanted to produce, 200 lbs of spruce tips were needed. The process was tricky with only a two-week window for harvesting the tips. Luckily, Tom had 40 volunteers and Tim devised a sustainable spruce tip harvesting plan.



Look for this label
to try Harpoon's new ale

After the tips were harvested over a three-day period in early June, Tom needed a way to keep them fresh until the November brew date. The Vermont Foodbank offered to vaccum pack the tips before freezing. To show their appreciation, Harpoon donated over $2000 to the Vermont Foodbank.

Roughly 40% of Harpoon's annual brewing output is done in their Windsor, VT facility. Visitors are welcome daily to visit the brewery in Windsor and sample Harpoon’s locally-brewed beers straight from the source.

For more on this story, watch Tom's video describing his experience with the Vermont Spruce Tip Ale.
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Save Some Green by Visiting a State Park

Trails Coordinator, Sherry
Winnie, hikes in Mt. Philo

That's right, save some green during this holiday season, by visiting a Vermont State Park (it's FREE day entry and primitive camping during the off season!) Take advantage of the fresh air and the prime views, by enjoying time outside with your friends and family in a nearby Vermont State Park. Deciduous trees have shed most of their leaves, so usually hidden views can now be seen. Below are five best hikes for friends and families to take after celebrating Thanksgiving. In addition, try doing some fun things while hiking - see below.

Take a relaxing walk in Waterbury Center State Park. The Nature Trail is mostly flat, relatively short (1/4 mi one way), and great for all ages. While walking through the old apple orchard, see if you can spot three different types of birds, a squirrel, and an animal that will soon be hibernating. It's quiet and relaxing here. The perfect place to recharge.

The Waterbury Center State Park
Nature Trail hugs the lake

An easy to moderate hike in the northwest is in Mt. Philo State Park. Take the House Rock Trail to the Devil's Chair Trail, which goes along the edge of Mt. Philo past many rock outcroppings. Once at the summit, enjoy a picnic while overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains in New York.

Hiking in Mt. Ascutney
State Park

Niquette Bay State Park provides a number of options for hiking trails. Allen's Trail is an easy woodland hike where you can try to find different types of fungi nestled into the understory.

A steeper, but still moderate hike can be found in Mt. Ascutney State Park. Take the Windsor Trail to Brownsville Rock lookout and enjoy the view! You'll pass waterfalls, woodland, and many animals along the way. Try to spot 4 types of mammals while hiking.

Lake Shaftsbury's Healing Springs Nature Trail is a quiet and restorative 3/4 mile long trail looping around the lake. While passing over the waters of Lake Shaftsbury, try to spot a fish, beaver, or muskrat. Also, take in the rich history of the area as you go. More information can be found here.

Happy Thanksgiving All!


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