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Staff Favorite Hike – White Rock Mountain

December 22, 2016 by GMC Staff 6 Comments

This post was written by Jocelyn Hebert, GMC Long Trail News Editor.

Hiking to the summit of White Rock Mountain in the CC Putnam State Forest (not to be confused with White RockS in southern Vermont!) is not only one of my go-to hikes in summer and fall, it’s a winter favorite. And it’s one that I think is good for beginner and more advanced winter hikers.

It’s accessed on the Middlesex side of the Worcester Range by taking the Middlesex Trail to the Bob Kemp Trail, 2.6 miles to the summit. The trail is gentle at first since much of the start follows a logging road. Eventually, it turns into the woods and begins to climb through the forest.

The really cool part is the area just before you reach the actual summit. As you come out of the woods you will step onto an open and flat rock table with stunted trees. Look back! There’s an awesome view of Mount Hunger.

The blue blazes on the table—painted on rocks for a stretch due to a lack of trees—are covered with snow so you must pay careful attention.  Enough people hike this trail in winter that you can generally discern the path, but if there has been fresh snowfall or wind has blown snow over the packed trail, finding the entrance into the small forested area that you need to hike through before the final push to the summit can be difficult.

Some hikers may choose to stay down on the table and forego the short but often icy climb to the top. The views from there are still great and you won’t feel disappointed if you don’t make it all the way.

As a relatively experienced winter hiker, I’ve done this trail by the light of a full moon (along with a headlamp of course) in February. And, last New Year’s Eve friends and I rang in 2016, reaching the table with five minutes to spare until midnight! We made a toast, noted the fireworks in the valleys, and got down, and out of the howling wind, quickly.

Night hiking is not for everyone but if you are properly dressed, well prepared, and have a good plan and exit strategy in place, it can be invigorating. I wouldn’t recommend hiking this, or any, trail at night in winter alone. It’s a lot more fun with friends anyway.

And, it goes without saying that hiking in daylight allows you to take in the beautiful long-range views seen from above. A couple of years ago, while my brother was home visiting from Alaska on New Year’s Eve day, we made our way up White Rock with my energetic ten-year-old pup Calais. There is a wall of snow after the table but before the summit that may be too hard for some dogs without assistance. Remember, the views are still rewarding lower down.

Don’t forget to carry or wear microspikes or some type of winter traction. Chances are, if you make it to the summit, you’ll need them.

 

Resources: GMC’s Day Hiker’s Guide to Vermont and GMC’s Mount Mansfield and the Worcester Range Hiking Trail Map

Filed Under: Hiking, Trail

Comments

  1. Paul Dear says

    December 27, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    Great storybook- will do it. Encouraged me to donate.

    Reply
    • Kristin McLane says

      December 28, 2016 at 2:57 pm

      Thank you, Paul! We hope you enjoy your hike too!

      Reply
  2. Ryan says

    March 18, 2020 at 7:55 pm

    What’s the best way to find trail conditions for this trail. We’re hoping to hike it this weekend.

    Reply
    • Kristin McLane says

      March 19, 2020 at 8:30 am

      Hi Ryan! You could ask other hikers if they’re been there recently in our facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/greenmountainclub/

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Vermont College Students’ Guide to Fall Hiking - Green Mountain Club says:
    October 5, 2017 at 1:25 pm

    […] features: Jocelyn Hebert, Long Trail News Editor, recommends this hike by […]

    Reply
  2. Are You Ready for Winter Hiking? - Green Mountain Club says:
    November 29, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    […] you’re ready to head out on your own, check out some GMC staff favorite winter hikes.  Then plan your own trips with GMC guidebooks and maps.  Or stay in GMC’s […]

    Reply

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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...

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