Rattlesnake Cliffs

Rattlesnake Cliffs

Considering I have only seen one snake in the Adirondacks, I wonder if their are rattlesnakes in Vermont.  I assume so or at least at one time, but I don't think there are many.  If there are, they were buried under at least two feet of snow.

This short and sweet hike is only a half hour away from home.  I found out about this hike through Views and Brews.  I would follow up this hike with a beer at Otter Creek in Middlebury.  The walk would be 2 miles through a mostly hardwood forest with just under 1,000 feet elevation gained.  Most of the trail had been recently broken in, so only a few times did I drop into snow up to my knees.

Stream is mostly frozen

The cliffs loom overhead

Beautiful woods

Before

After

The walk started near the shores of Lake Dunmore.  There are quite a few ice fishing cabins on the lake.  This reminds me of Grumpy Old Men.  I never cared for fishing growing up, but there is something about ice fishing that I find appealing.  I imagine a beautiful walk across the ice to a cabin trying to stay warm over a few beers.  This would be followed by a fish fry.

Ice fishing cabin

Lake Dunmore and fishing cabins

The trail started out gently enough.  After passing Lana Falls (not much to see, just snow and ice) the trail started to ascend rather steeply.  Despite being in 0 degree temps the whole time, I broke a sweat.  I'm out of shape.  I continually switched back and forth unzipping my jackets and zipping back up.  I did the same with my hat, taking it off and then putting it back on.

I eventually made it to the first view point.  The Adirondacks were visible from here, though I'm not sure which ones.  I'm guessing the Dixes are the ones I could spot most clearly.  The northern part of Lake Dunmore is visible 1,000 feet below.  I can see many ice fishing cabins.

Adirondacks

A little closer look

Walking over to the second view point, I had to break trail.  This provided similar views, but I could see more of the lake and there were views to the south and east.  I could see the mountains of the Long Trail.  There was a nice cone shaped mountain that I believe is Gillespie which I hiked to in November.  I could see Silver Lake which is in the same forest and looks like a great destination.

The Long Trail and Gillespie Peak

Silver Lake

One time through

Second time through

Lake Dunmore

Map

Brews!

I felt like I was back at Carhenge