Staff Favorite Hikes – Mud Season Medley

Mud season is still in full swing and among our suggested day hikes, we do have a few favorites:

Mount Philo, Charlotte – Alicia DiCocco, Director of Development

Every year during mud season, my family and I love to go up Mt. Philo in Charlotte. It’s only a little bit over a mile, so you can build up your hiking legs again after a long winter. If the trail is muddy you can walk up the toll road without having to worry about cars because it isn’t open to vehicles yet. And you can’t beat the view of the Champlain Valley overlooking the lake from the top. If you have children, it’s a great starter mountain because it’s not very long, but still challenging for the little ones. It’s the first mountain my 2 year old climbed by herself!

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Dirt roads, statewide – Amy Potter, Visitor Center Manager

Although they don’t sound exciting, the dirt roads found throughout Vermont can be a great mud season hiking or biking option. Because I live on a dirt road, I am able to step out my front door and have endless options for walking. They provide a variety of scenery from beautiful farms and gardens to wildflowers and forests. For those seeking views, they can be found also! I have found views of Hunger and White Rocks; Abe and Ellen; and even Camel’s Hump; all from the dirt roads outside my front door. With all the back roads Vermont has to offer, there are infinite beautiful places to explore during mud season.

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Mount Ascutney, Windsor – Kristin McLane, Membership & Communications Coordinator

I like to gain elevation on my hikes, which makes it difficult to find good trails during mud season – most of the appropriate hikes are at lower elevation. Mount Ascutney provides a great solution for me because I can climb the auto road, still closed to traffic this early, and gain 2250′ in 3.8 miles!  There are plenty of views and picnic tables along the road, not to mention the beautiful stream that flows nearby most of the way.  On my recent hike here, the trees were starting to bud and we saw multiple porcupines.

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What’s your favorite mud season hike?