Green Mountain Club

Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

  • About
    • The Green Mountain Club
      • Bylaws
      • Annual Reports
      • Strategic Plan
    • Visitor Center
    • Barnes Camp Visitor Center
    • GMC Rental Cabins
    • Board of Directors
    • GMC Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Our Business Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Hiking
    • Trail Updates
    • Mud Season
    • Hiking 101
    • Trail Systems
      • The Long Trail
      • Appalachian Trail in Vermont
      • Kingdom Heritage Trails in the Northeast Kingdom
    • Thru-Hike the Long Trail
    • HikeVT
    • Accessible Trails around Vermont
    • Hiking in Groups
    • Trip Planning
    • Fall Hiking
    • Winter Hiking
    • Guidebooks, Maps & Gear
  • Conservation
    • Protecting the Long Trail
    • Land Conservation
    • Field Programs
    • Burrows Trail Project
    • Regional Partnerships
  • Education & Events
    • Events & Workshops
    • Service Learning & Group Outings
    • Calendar of Events & Outings
    • Leave No Trace
    • Wildlife along the Trails
  • News
    • Trail Updates
    • Blog
    • Long Trail News
    • Press Releases
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Volunteer Reports
    • Application
  • Donate
    • Ways to Give
    • Long Trail Legacy Campaign
    • Donate Now
  • Members
    • Become a Member
    • Your Membership Benefits
    • Join a Section
    • Business Membership
    • Annual Meeting
  • Shop

The Best “First Hikes” to Kick off Summer

Sterling Pond at pink sunset is a great first hike for summer
Sterling Pond at Sunset is a beautiful early season hike. Photo by: John Plummer

Let’s HikeVT! This week we’re officially kicking off summer hiking season 2021 by recommending some of GMC staff’s favorite “first hikes” of the season. Whether these trails dry out sooner, or are the perfect moderate introduction back into hiking, they’ll help you start your summer hikes with a boom. Find summer trail recommendations here, and check HikeVT for new suggestions and inspirations.

  1. Sterling Pond, in Stowe
  2. Mt. Ellen via the Jerusalem Trail, in Starksboro
  3. Mt. Abraham from Lincoln Gap, in Warren
  4. Duxbury Window Trail, in Bolton
  5. White Rock Mountain via the Middlesex Trail, in Middlesex

Sterling Pond Trail, in Stowe — Moderate

» 2.4 mi round trip, approx. 930 ft elevation gain 

Group Outreach Coordinator John Plummer’s favorite first hike of the season is the Sterling Pond Trail at sunset. This trek to Vermont’s highest-elevation pond isn’t too long making it the perfect spot to get a few after-work casts in during trout season. The trail starts on a rock staircase on the east side of Route 108, continuing with a steady ascent until you reach the Long Trail. Turn left to reach the pond in just .1 miles. If you’re looking for a loop hike, turn right on the LT to hit the Elephant Head Trail, which loops around Sterling Pond.

Driving Directions from Stowe: From Route 100 in Stowe, take 108 N for 9.7 miles until you reach the Smuggler’s Cave parking area on your left.

Map it.

Back to top ↑


Mt. Ellen via the Jerusalem Trail, in Starksboro — Moderate to Difficult

» 8.4 mi round trip, approx. 2480 ft elevation gain

The GMC’s Development Coordinator Erica Harris’ favorite first hike is Mount Ellen via the Jerusalem Trail. It is a nice gradual approach, so you can take your time to appreciate all the various forest types along the way. At 2.4 miles, turn right onto the Long Trail, which you follow for 1.8 miles to the summit of Mount Ellen. Though it is on the longer side at 8.4 miles round trip, you are awarded with wonderful views from the ski trails near the summit!

Driving Directions: From the intersection of the east branch of Jerusalem Road and VT-17 (this intersection is located 6 miles west of the Long Trail at Appalachian Gap and 3.5 miles east of VT-116), head south on Jerusalem Road for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Jim Dwire Road, and go 0.5 miles to the trailhead on the right. Roadside parking space is limited; please park considerately.

Map it.

Back to top ↑


Mt. Abraham from Lincoln Gap, in Warren — Difficult

» 5.2 mi round trip, approx. 1600’ ft elevation gain 

GMC Executive Director, Mike DeBonis, enjoys early season evening hikes up Mount Abraham to watch the sunset and then hike down by headlamp. Following the Long Trail North from Lincoln Gap, you gradually climb past Battell Shelter, where the trail starts to steepen up with some fun rock slab scrambles. From the summit, there is an amazing 360 view, alpine tundra, and you can even find a plane crash site just off the summit.

Driving Directions: From Route 100 in Warren, follow Lincoln Gap Road 4.7 miles the parking area.

Map it.

Back to top ↑


Duxbury Window, in Bolton — Easy

» 3.2 mi round trip, approx. 850 ft elevation gain

Director Of Development and Communications, Alicia DiCocco, uses the hike to Duxbury Window as an early season training trail for longer hikes. With the “window” a quick 1.6 miles south on the Long Trail, it is a nice after work hike. You will find a magical fern meadow along the way plus a bench at the viewpoint to rest and eat trails snacks before heading back down the trail.

Driving Directions:From I-89, take exit 10 in Waterbury. Follow Route 100 South to the roundabout where you take the third exit onto Main St/Route 2 South. Turn right onto Winooski St then a right onto River Rd. Continue for about 9.6 miles until you reach the trailhead for Camel’s Hump State Forest on your left.

Map it.

Back to top ↑


White Rocks Mountain via the Middlesex Trail, Middlesex — Moderate to Difficult

» 5.2 mi round trip, approx. 1610 ft elevation gain

Visitor Center Manager Amy Potter’s favorite early season hike brings you off the Long Trail and into the Worcester Range. The Middlesex Trail isn’t as widely used as the Waterbury side of the mountain, and most people continue on to summit Hunger Mountain, whereas Amy prefers to take the Bob Kemp Trail from the Middlesex trail to head over to the summit of White Rock. Though not as tall as Hunger, you will still find lots of open rock, fun rock scrambles, and amazing views of the Green Mountains.

Driving Directions: From Montpelier, head north on VT-12/Elm Street/Worcester Branch Road and continue for 4.9 miles. Turn left onto Shady Rill Road and continue for 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Story Road and continue for 0.7 miles. Turn left onto North Bear Swamp Road and continue for 1.9 miles to the parking area on the right.

Map it.

Back to top ↑


Back to HikeVT.

Questions? Our visitor center staff is here to assist you. Call (802) 244-7037 or email [email protected].

Kick off Summer With our Vermont Hiking Bucket List

May 25, 2023

Memorial Day Weekend marks the official start of hiking season, though early season conditions and some patches of snow and mud persist. New to hiking in Vermont, or need some inspiration to make it the best summer ever? Get started with this summer in Vermont hiking bucket list. Share what's on … Read more

About Mud Season HikeVT Trail Recommendations Become a Member Trip Planning Trail Maps Volunteer Opportunities

Mission

The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

Featured Sponsors

jfghr-lohgo-topo OG
jfghr-lohgo-topo OG
Lenny's Shoe & Apparel logo
Lennys-Logo
Athletic_Primary_WhiteBG
Athletic_Primary_WhiteBG
Sunsoil logo
SUNSOIL_black_Large
Sunset Lake CBD logo
sunset lake cbd web logo
bbco
concept2

Connect

4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677
802.244.7037 | Email GMC

Click here for current hours.
Email us for hiking advice. 

Copyright © 2023 Green Mountain Club · All Rights Reserved. · Site by Earthlogic.