In this post, I have pictures taken from a hike up Mt. Elmore (2,608) to its Fire Tower on December 26th, 2017. The hike was done in about three hours total with Zeth and my dog Brixton. Vermont had accumulated a pretty substantial amount of snow in the past few days, but with some melting and freezing in the mix. With snow from the night before, this made for a great hike through the snowy forest up to a unique mountain summit.
One of the many reasons to love Vermont is the variety weather conditions to hike in. With the constant seasonal changes, hiking always becomes new again. Summer with its earthy colors and humid air. Fall with its rich fiery hues and fresh crisp breeze. And lastly, winter with it’s simplistic qualities and refreshing chill that. Winter really helps to appreciate warmth, in a good way.
It’s an underrated season when it comes to hiking. It seems that many will retreat inside their homes for the season just waiting for the snow to melt and flowers to bloom. If you’re living in Vermont especially, this isn’t the proper way to endure winter. There is another part to it that makes winter worth the struggle of getting through those below zero nights. It is a chance venture outside and witness the untouched beauty from a new perspective after each snowfall. Sure you can appreciate the sight while bundled up in your warm car but out there on the snowy forest trail is a whole ‘nother experience waiting to be had. There is nothing quite like it, so I propose that you get the full effect of winter, bundle up and…
TAKE A HIKE THIS WINTER!
There are plenty of excuses to go out for a winter hike, but here are a few that come to mind:
1. The landscape is minimalistic. Snowfall upon snowfall takes away the visual overload of the forest and simplifies it into black and white. The result of this is a feeling of calmness that is beautifully peaceful. Drawn into any direction you happen to face, a snow covered forest landscape is unique in every way. Less is more, see it for yourself!
2. Every step you take is cushioned! Those aches that come after hiking a dirt trail in the summer are thrown away when you hike in the winter months. The shock absorbance of the snow makes each step feel less abrupt and more smooth. So if you are one who isn’t able to enjoy hiking because it gives you knee or ankle pain, you might just find a new season to hike in.
Snowshoes may be useful assuming the trail has more than a few inches of fresh snow. Otherwise, thick soled boots and good tread along with doubled up socks work just fine. To supplement this and save your ankles from snow collecting, velcro trail gaiters are a good option. They will last a almost a lifetime and save your ankles from the frigid ice. Since Zeth was using these, stepping into the deep snow gave him no trouble despite wearing only ankle high boots.
3. Regulating your temperature! Wearing multiple many layers comes with the option to cool off or warm up as needed. Your neck warmer can be over you nose or scrunched down. Your hat can easily come on and off. The pits of you winter jacket can be zipped and unzipped. Overall you have a lot of control over how warm you want to be as you are making way up the mountain. As long as you are dressed appropriately and persistent with your upward travel, you will be sure to stay warm as you venture through the cold pillowy white forest. There isn’t such thing as bad weather really, it’s just the fact that appropriate gear might be lacking. As long as you are wearing enough layers, the cold will not phase you one bit, and you will begin to welcome it!
WE REACH THE SUMMIT
Atop Mt. Elmore sits its fire tower, built shortly after the State of Vermont acquired the park in 1936. The tower offers 360 degree views of the area, with sights of the Worcester range as well as many of Vermont’s small towns. I’ve hiked this mountain several times, but only in the summer. This year I was excited to hike to the tower in the winter time, because I knew it would be a completely different experience. Since Zeth was home for the holidays and we always seem to find some adventure to go on, I suggested the fire tower hike and he was game.
We were thrilled to finally have the high mountaintop structure in sight through the trees. The sense of accomplishment immediately surfaced. Usually I would also feel relieved to not be hiking anymore, but the hike wasn’t nearly as exhausting since the air is much cooler.
As Zeth and I neared the tower, Brixton bolted ahead, as he had been here before and was eager to climb to the top level. He made it to the second level before he stopped in his tracks. He must have been rethinking his intent on I called to him to come down, and like a good boy he listened. I attached his leash and secured it around the railing at ground level and laid down a shirt for him to sit. The night before, I considered not bringing him on the hike because I knew the tower would be dangerous, in addition to the cold weather. Alas, he was here having a grand time with temperatures hovering around 12° F.
“Where are you?” I asked so he’d show himself. HAH!
Zeth began his climb up the snowy stairs of the fire tower and I followed by the time he was nearing the second level. The entirety of the fabricated metal was coated with ice and recently accumulated snow. I climbed the stairs at an cautious pace with my camera strapped around my neck. Brixton was audibly unhappy as we climbed on without him, but I’m mainly grateful that he wasn’t in any danger.
Before I knew it I had reached the top level where I could relax, enjoy the view, and take photos of everything in sight. There was no wind to shake the tower and sunlight was breaking through the distant clouds, flooding onto the range ahead.
Beaming light.
Getting lost in the trees.
Pillowy spruce.
Aside from the views beyond the tower, there was beauty right inside as well, so I made sure to capture that as well.
I liked the buildup of snow, especially the drifts on the ground. Wishing I had gotten a wide shot!A bit frosty, but not as much as we were hoping for.
We were content and it was time to head the slippery steps.One last look.
Zeth decided to go down backwards since the stairs were tricky… not sure if he did this the whole way, but it was just as slow walking down as it was walking up.
This photo might explain how Brixton was feeling about us leaving him on ground level.
LUNCHTIME!
There was a viewpoint just a quarter mile from the summit, where we took a break for food on our descent. Zeth had brougth roast beef & swiss sandwiches and I brought a few clementines. My sandwich was wrapped in a reusable wrap called “BEES WRAP.” Made with beeswax, GOTS certified cotton, organic jojoba oil and tree resin, this wrap is sturdy and sustainable. This was my first time knowing about it, but It feels like a great alternative to plastic wrap, especially if you are one to be aware of all the waste that we create on this earth.
One way to stay warm while stationary… Whiskey flask!
The hike down was swift with big leaps through soft snow and quick skids down the snowy downhill.
I had to get just one good close up of the ice encasing each and every branch…
I’ve only done enough winter hikes to count on my hands, but they are truly a unique experience that can be enjoyed by any frequent hiker. If you aren’t much of a hiker, there are many forested trails around that can offer a similar, more mellow experience. The downfall about this is you don’t get the wintery views or the effect of elevation and increasing amounts of snow.
Some last tips:
Hike with at least one experienced friend
Hand warmers and face masks will work wonders
Bring a ski pole to help with steeper inclines
A thermos full of hot tea or soup
Know the forecast, including windspeed
Take a few pictures and share!
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Thanks for reading along and viewing the photos, I hope I’ve inspired you to get outdoors and enjoy the snow!
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