Vermont State Parks

By Erin & Evan Meenan Welcome to Micro hikes and Microbrews where we are going to review some of Vermont’s great hikes that are 3 miles or shorter and the nearby breweries where you can quench your post-hike thirst.  For our first installment, we hiked the Dalley Loop trail in the Little River State Park in Waterbury and then visited the Trapp Lager Brewery in Stowe. The Dalley Loop is a wide gravel trail with a moderate incline for about half the hike.  This trail is great, in part, because it offers a self-guided historical tour of several farms and family logging operations dating from the late 1800s to early 1900s.  Some of the things you get to see are old logging bridges that have been converted into culverts, beautiful stone walls, family cemeteries, and the old stone foundations of some of the farm houses.  The natural vegetation growing around these historic sites is also refreshing after a long winter.   After our hike, we...

Photo by Lene Gary Vermont State Parks has partnered with Lake Champlain International (LCI) on the Paddle the Parks Auction. LCI is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the health and future of Lake Champlain and the communities that depend on it. Together, the organizations have created a paddling package to help encourage everyone to explore Vermont's lakes, rivers, and ponds. Bids are currently being accepted for the Kayak Adventure Package which includes an Old Town Dirigo XT 120 canoe, a Caviness 7.5' paddle, and a Vermont State Parks vehicle pass which provides unlimited day-use access to any state park for up to eight people in one vehicle, for the entire 2014 season. The entire package is valued at $720 but bids start at $450. Photo by Barry Solman Proceeds from the auction go to benefit LCI's education, conservation, and youth programs. The auction ends on Sunday, May 25 at 5:00pm. To learn more Lake Champlain International, click HERE ....

Located in the Champlain Islands , Grand Isle State Park has incredible views of Lake Champlain! The park has many tent and lean-to sites as well as four cabins with views of the water. Swim and kayak on the lake, stroll on the nature trail, visit the butterfly garden, play volleyball or horseshoes on the sand courts, or participate in an interpretive program at the Nature Center. Grand Isle is conveniently close to both Burlington, Vermont and Montreal, Quebec, and is one of the most visited parks in the state. Planning a weekend at Grand Isle this summer?  Take a look at the Grand Isle State Park Itinerary for some ideas on fun, family-friendly activities for your trip. Jamaica State Park , which stretches between Jamaica and Londonderry in southeastern Vermont, offers camping, hiking , swimming, and outstanding fishing on the West River. The family-friendly West River Trail, which follows the path of the old West River Railroad, is ideal for walking, hiking, jogging...

Seyon Lodge State Park in Groton, Vermont is the perfect getaway!  Located in the 27,000-acre Groton State Forest , Seyon Lodge is open year round and has something for everyone. Hike the trails that surround the lodge, experience extraordinary fly fishing on Noyes Pond, or relax by the fireplace in the common room. Seyon Lodge provides a unique culinary experience for guests . Delicious meals are prepared onsite using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. You can enjoy them in the lodge’s dining room or request them to go so you can explore the park. Whether you are seeking a relaxing vacation destination or organizing an event , the peaceful landscape and rustic charm make Seyon Lodge State Park a favorite spot for individual guests and larger groups alike. The lodge is often rented out for weddings , retreats, and conferences. Seyon Lodge State Park is currently offering a special spring rate. On Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between April 17...

By Lisa Liotta  Dutchman's Breeches. Photo by Lisa Liotta Dutchman’s Breeches grow along limestone ledges in moist, well-drained soil. Feathery sage-green leaves grow in low mounds about 6” high. Flower stalks rise 6-12” above the ground which droop gracefully and dangle several beautiful, creamy white flowers that look like pants (breeches) hanging upside down on a clothesline. The bottom of each flower is yellow which will attract bees, especially bumblebee queens,  who play a royal role as we shall see! Dutchman’s Breeches, like other spring ephemeral wildflowers, are perennial plants.This means that the plant re-grows year after year from the same roots which remain alive underground. All in one growing season, perennials grow from the ground, produce flowers (and hopefully seeds) and also capture enough of the sun’s light to convert it into stored energy that will enable the plant to regrow the following spring, before they die back to the ground....

L to R, back row: Park Ranger Rob Van Zandt, Kyler, Thompson Portland, OR, JoAnne Pohl, Lansing, MI, Kalieb Haslag,  Jefferson City, MO, Drew Pinchcack, Baltimore, MD. .Front row:  Kirsten Jacobse, Minneapolis, MN, Michael Gary, Portland, OR and Auds Curtis, Portland, OR By: Reuben Allen Seven members of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) have set up camp at Ft. Dummer State Park where they are helping prepare the park for the 2014 season. Over the winter, more than 1,000 trees were removed from the park campground during a timber sale in and around the park. The project included thinning to encourage growth of low vegetation between sites, removal of hazard trees, and clearing of several areas for planned infrastructure construction. Although the project resulted in numerous long-term improvements to the park, in the short term it resulted in a much larger than usual spring cleanup for the park staff. As a resul...

The snow has melted and the sun is starting the shine which means two things in Vermont: 1) it’s finally spring and 2) it’s mud season. Hiking trails take a serious hit during this time of year, especially those at higher altitudes that are exposed to heavy spring rain and snow melt. When walkers trek over muddy trails, it can lead to soil compaction and erosion, damaging the trail and keeping it muddy longer. Help to preserve the trails this spring by sticking to recreation paths, dirt roads, and trails at lower elevations. Mud Season Hiking Guidelines: If a trail is so muddy that you need to walk on the vegetation beside it, turn back and find another place to hike. Plan spring hikes in hardwood forests at lower elevations. Avoid spruce-fir (conifer) forest at higher elevations and on north slopes before late May and from the end of October until frozen or snow covered. Trails at Camels Hump and Mt. Mansfield are closed from snow melt (now) until late M...