Hiking to Sterling Pond
His is one of our more frequent hikes. Pennie and Issa have hiked this about 4 times since our move here. I have done it a few more times then them. It is a fun little hike that is well traveled. The best news is that you get to drive half way up the mountain before you start the hike. We did this one just this morning, so that can tell you how quick and easy it is. It also helps that it is cooler today and there is a threat of severe weather making our hike a quick one.
To get to the trail head all you have to do is drive up into Smuggler's Notch. You have a whopping two choices. I know a lot more than the other hikes so far. You can take VT route 108 north from Stowe, or you can take VT route 108 south from Jeffersonville. The trip north from Stowe is good if your car has enough horsepower to make it up the steep switchbacks that allow you to ascend the notch. You also have to be careful of cars coming down since there is more than one spot where there is only enough room for one car. I probably should tell you that this drive is not for big vehicles or those who have a weak heart. I prefer to take VT route 108 south form Jeffersonville. The view of the mountains as you take this long drive is breathtaking, just be careful to keep you car on the road as you look out at them. The drive up into the notch is not as winding but the guardrail goes from metal, to wood, to nonexistent. The reason it disappears is because there is no room for it on the side of the road. Just don't look down! Plus, you can make you way down on the Stowe side and stop off at Edelweiss Mountain Deli for some post hike nutrition. Once you reach the top of the notch finding a parking spot can be difficult during the more popular times of the year, plus the smell of burnt oil is heavy in the air. The trail begins on the other side of the road from the shear rock cliff, trust me you will know what I am talking about when you go there.
Now, like I said the trail is a well worn path through the forest. It starts off with a stone staircase that quickly takes you high into the trees. Soon the road disappears. As you ascend you will either pass people or get passed frequently, but everyone you meet will be friendly and will disappear into the woods before you know it. This makes you feel that you are the only one on the trail. Since you are already half way up the mountain when you begin your hike, you should notice how the trees change from the usual maples to more birches, hemlocks, aspens, and firs. As this happens the trees will feel that they are closing in around you, but you will still get plenty of chances to see the view between the branches. When you reach the wooden bridge, you will know that you are near the top.
As you come out of the Sterling Pond trail you will meet up with the Long Trail on a cross country ski path that connects the Smuggler's Notch ski resort to Stowe Mountain Resort. Here you want to descend to the pond, but if you go the other way you will come to some amazing views to the south. If you are careful, and know where to look, you can make it to the top of Spruce Peak and have the entirety of Mt. Mansfield before you. Unfortunately, I didn't go that way this time, so you will have to just see pictures of Sterling Pond and views to the north. Now, be very careful as you make your way down to the pond. These rocks are slippery and you will fall if you are not careful enough. You might just fall even if you are careful. Just watch out. You will see Sterling Pond in front of you. It is 3,000 feet up, this is taller than Mount Elmore, and feeds a stream that you will cross to get to the shore. There is not much to say about it, except that it is a great place to have lunch.
If you want to see some great views, continue along the Long Trail. You will have to climb a set of really scary looking stairs that are tied to the side of the rocks by bolts and wire. After that you will get a nice view of Sterling Pond before turning around a bend and looking out over a ski slope. The Long Trail turns away here into the trees to your right, but just keep going forward and you will see all that there is to see to the north. On a clear day you can see all the way to Montreal. The ski lift is further along the mountain to your right and you can, though the resort might not like it, climb parts of the ski lift to get a better view.
Have fun and remember,
The Mountain Grows Taller Around Every Bend In The Trail.
To get to the trail head all you have to do is drive up into Smuggler's Notch. You have a whopping two choices. I know a lot more than the other hikes so far. You can take VT route 108 north from Stowe, or you can take VT route 108 south from Jeffersonville. The trip north from Stowe is good if your car has enough horsepower to make it up the steep switchbacks that allow you to ascend the notch. You also have to be careful of cars coming down since there is more than one spot where there is only enough room for one car. I probably should tell you that this drive is not for big vehicles or those who have a weak heart. I prefer to take VT route 108 south form Jeffersonville. The view of the mountains as you take this long drive is breathtaking, just be careful to keep you car on the road as you look out at them. The drive up into the notch is not as winding but the guardrail goes from metal, to wood, to nonexistent. The reason it disappears is because there is no room for it on the side of the road. Just don't look down! Plus, you can make you way down on the Stowe side and stop off at Edelweiss Mountain Deli for some post hike nutrition. Once you reach the top of the notch finding a parking spot can be difficult during the more popular times of the year, plus the smell of burnt oil is heavy in the air. The trail begins on the other side of the road from the shear rock cliff, trust me you will know what I am talking about when you go there.
Now, like I said the trail is a well worn path through the forest. It starts off with a stone staircase that quickly takes you high into the trees. Soon the road disappears. As you ascend you will either pass people or get passed frequently, but everyone you meet will be friendly and will disappear into the woods before you know it. This makes you feel that you are the only one on the trail. Since you are already half way up the mountain when you begin your hike, you should notice how the trees change from the usual maples to more birches, hemlocks, aspens, and firs. As this happens the trees will feel that they are closing in around you, but you will still get plenty of chances to see the view between the branches. When you reach the wooden bridge, you will know that you are near the top.
As you come out of the Sterling Pond trail you will meet up with the Long Trail on a cross country ski path that connects the Smuggler's Notch ski resort to Stowe Mountain Resort. Here you want to descend to the pond, but if you go the other way you will come to some amazing views to the south. If you are careful, and know where to look, you can make it to the top of Spruce Peak and have the entirety of Mt. Mansfield before you. Unfortunately, I didn't go that way this time, so you will have to just see pictures of Sterling Pond and views to the north. Now, be very careful as you make your way down to the pond. These rocks are slippery and you will fall if you are not careful enough. You might just fall even if you are careful. Just watch out. You will see Sterling Pond in front of you. It is 3,000 feet up, this is taller than Mount Elmore, and feeds a stream that you will cross to get to the shore. There is not much to say about it, except that it is a great place to have lunch.
If you want to see some great views, continue along the Long Trail. You will have to climb a set of really scary looking stairs that are tied to the side of the rocks by bolts and wire. After that you will get a nice view of Sterling Pond before turning around a bend and looking out over a ski slope. The Long Trail turns away here into the trees to your right, but just keep going forward and you will see all that there is to see to the north. On a clear day you can see all the way to Montreal. The ski lift is further along the mountain to your right and you can, though the resort might not like it, climb parts of the ski lift to get a better view.
Have fun and remember,
The Mountain Grows Taller Around Every Bend In The Trail.
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