Green Mountain Club Bennington Section
Welcome to the Green Mountain Club Bennington Section. This website is designed to give useful information about the club, local area, resources, and links to make all outdoor experiences richer.
MOONLIGHT SKI OR SNOWSHOE IN FEBRUARY 2021
This month's full moon, 2/27, the Snow Moon, might provide the best moonlight ski or snowshoe conditions that we have seen in a long time. The powdery and sparkling snow has been so beautiful, as the white crescent moon crossed the sky in recent afternoons, that thoughts of a sparkly moonlight ski prevailed. Of course, the light precipitation and warmer weather that followed can turn soft afternoon snow into icy night snow. The abundant snow at higher elevations will be less affected, and while the best night might be Friday, the 27th, we learned last month that it is best to keep an eye on the sky for several nights before and after the actual full moon date. Woodford State Park offers the reservoir for a flat surface and open view of the sky, with an option of campsite loops beyond. Be sure to park in the lot across Route 9.
If you have never wandered out into the moonlight on skis or snowshoes, this is the time to try it!
Information by Marjorie March
If you have never wandered out into the moonlight on skis or snowshoes, this is the time to try it!
Information by Marjorie March
MOONLIGHT SKI OR SNOWSHOE IN JANUARY 2021
This moon is known as the Wolf Moon.
Keep an eye on the forecast! The snow is here! Now you need a clear sky. The moon will be at its fullest on January 28 at 2:16 in the afternoon. The best chance for a clear sky will be the night before, January 27. While that may be the best night, there can be lots of light for a few nights before and after for howling at the moon, or perhaps sing some of your favorite moon songs. UPDATE: It looks like SUNDAY, January 24th will be clear and great for outdoor moonlit adventures!
This month there is about two feet of lovely snow in Woodford, VT. and about a foot in locations with half the elevation. Remember, you need open space, not the woods.
Suggestions:
In Vermont:
Mount Anthony Country Club golf course, with sparkly snow and a gentle terrain.
Woodford State Park in Woodford. Use the parking lot on the north side of Rt. 9 across from the park and cross the road to ski or snowshoe on the park roads to the frozen reservoir. It will be spectacular!
In Williamstown, MA:
Mountain Meadow Preserve. Coming into Williamstown from Route 7, turn left onto Mason Street and park in the lot for a gradual climb to a beautiful open meadow with a wonderful view.
The hill above the Clark Art Institute. Park at the Lunder Center upper lot and ski or snowshoe up the road to the stone bench and circle around to the right to the top of the Clark hill for a Picasso “Starry Night” view.
Sara Tenney Trail. From Route 7, south of Williamstown, take Route 2 west. At 2.2 miles park at the parking area on the left (south) side and cross the road. Enjoy a beautiful open rise of land.
Information by Marjorie March
PS: click here for more information about the Wolf Moon
Keep an eye on the forecast! The snow is here! Now you need a clear sky. The moon will be at its fullest on January 28 at 2:16 in the afternoon. The best chance for a clear sky will be the night before, January 27. While that may be the best night, there can be lots of light for a few nights before and after for howling at the moon, or perhaps sing some of your favorite moon songs. UPDATE: It looks like SUNDAY, January 24th will be clear and great for outdoor moonlit adventures!
This month there is about two feet of lovely snow in Woodford, VT. and about a foot in locations with half the elevation. Remember, you need open space, not the woods.
Suggestions:
In Vermont:
Mount Anthony Country Club golf course, with sparkly snow and a gentle terrain.
Woodford State Park in Woodford. Use the parking lot on the north side of Rt. 9 across from the park and cross the road to ski or snowshoe on the park roads to the frozen reservoir. It will be spectacular!
In Williamstown, MA:
Mountain Meadow Preserve. Coming into Williamstown from Route 7, turn left onto Mason Street and park in the lot for a gradual climb to a beautiful open meadow with a wonderful view.
The hill above the Clark Art Institute. Park at the Lunder Center upper lot and ski or snowshoe up the road to the stone bench and circle around to the right to the top of the Clark hill for a Picasso “Starry Night” view.
Sara Tenney Trail. From Route 7, south of Williamstown, take Route 2 west. At 2.2 miles park at the parking area on the left (south) side and cross the road. Enjoy a beautiful open rise of land.
Information by Marjorie March
PS: click here for more information about the Wolf Moon
COVID-19 Update June 26 from GMC
Trails and Shelters: Shelters and privies on the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail in Vermont are open under modified use guidelines. As of June 26, all trails and facilities on the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail in Vermont are open.
Backcountry Overnight Sites
The rugged and remote nature of backcountry overnight sites are one of the things that make hiking the Long Trail special. As these sites are remote and rustic, visitors are being asked to be self-sufficient and prepared to minimize the potential for spread of COVID-19. Focus will be on maintaining physical distance between unrelated visitors and to manage, reduce, or eliminate common touch points.
Thank you for being a partner in this endeavor and doing your part to minimize the risk to yourself and others
Visitors to backcountry overnight sites are being asked to adhere to the following guidelines:
Backcountry Overnight Sites
The rugged and remote nature of backcountry overnight sites are one of the things that make hiking the Long Trail special. As these sites are remote and rustic, visitors are being asked to be self-sufficient and prepared to minimize the potential for spread of COVID-19. Focus will be on maintaining physical distance between unrelated visitors and to manage, reduce, or eliminate common touch points.
Thank you for being a partner in this endeavor and doing your part to minimize the risk to yourself and others
Visitors to backcountry overnight sites are being asked to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Postponing a visit unless you’re healthy and have not been recently exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
- Bringing your own hand sanitizer (the CDC recommends at least 60% alcohol content) and CDC-approved sanitizing wipes/spray for all high-touch surfaces: facilities are not cleaned or sanitized
- Maintaining at least 6 feet physical distance from anyone you did not travel to the facility with
- Leashing your dog at all times
- Wearing a cloth mask or face covering is strongly recommended whenever you might encounter other visitors
- Adhering to Leave No Trace principles during your visit: Pack It In, Pack It Out, Plan Ahead and Prepare: expect to change plans based on the circumstances
- Engaging in the Prepare, Park, Play and Move On mentality
- Being kind and considerate of others: we’re all doing our best
- Privies at shelters and remote campsites will be operational but not cleaned or sanitized. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer
- Users should avoid or sanitize high-touch surfaces
- Privies are confined and enclosed spaces: allow for time to pass if possible, between non-household members using privies
- Masks/cloth facial coverings are recommended while in the enclosed space of the privy
- Please use privies if available: this will eliminate human waste risk to staff and other visitors
- Campers coming from out of state will be subject to the latest cross-state travel requirements including any quarantine requirements prior to starting their activity. Read the requirements here.
- Campers will be strongly advised to assume responsibility for protecting themselves from transmission via touch points, including packing and making regular use of CDC approved hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
- Expect shelters to be occupied by other visitors: campers must be prepared for all overnight camping with a self-standing shelter such as a tent, hammock or bivouac. If you are not comfortable staying in a shelter with other hikers, be prepared to hike onward to a suitable camping area.
- Except in emergency situations or inclement weather, visitors should plan to use their tent, hammock or other shelter if non-household members are already occupying the structure.
- Visitors should avoid using these structures for anything other than overnight camping (snack or meal breaks should be taken in other open-air locations)
- Please check this page and Forest, Parks and Recreation’s page for general COVID-19 information as well as food storage and other related information.
- Caretaker fees will not be collected in person this season: The Long Trail system is managed (including composting human waste in privies) by the Green Mountain Club, which encourages people to support this work by becoming members.
- Trail users planning overnight trips should evaluate primitive camping guidelines for their chosen destinations to ensure that they will be able to locate adequate locations for tent camping. Some designated overnight sites on the trail system do not have adequate space outside of the shelter, including Taft Lodge, Butler Lodge, and Montclair Glen Lodge. You can find information on shelter capacities in the Long Trail Guide or Long Trail End to End Guide. If you are not comfortable staying in a shelter with other hikers, do not plan on staying at a shelter with no external camping options.
Nature calls. Will you answer?
Contact us if you have any comments, additions, suggestions
Last updated: Jan 2020
Last updated: Jan 2020