Hike New England - Mt. Ascutney via Weathersfield Trail

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Mt. Ascutney via Weathersfield Trail

Mountain:		Mt. Ascutney (3150')
Trail:		Weathersfield Trail
Region:		VT - Southern
Location:		Weathersfield, VT
Rating:		Moderate
Features:		Summit, views, cascades, fire tower, brooks
Distance:		5.8 miles
Elevation Gain:		2060 feet (cumulative)
Hiking Time:		Actual: 3:20 Typical: 4:00
Outing Duration:		Typical: 6:00
Hike Date:		Saturday, 11/06/1999
Last Updated:		1/20/2008
Weather:		Sunny, clear, 50 degrees, strong winds in open areas
Author:		Webmaster
Companions:		Jay, Nancy, Simon, Quack

Route Summary

Take Weathersfield Trail to Mt. Ascutney summit, and go back down the same way.

Place	Split Miles	Total Miles	Split Time	Total Time
Weathersfield Trailhead	0.0	0.0	0:00	0:00
Mt. Ascutney summit (3150')	2.9	2.9	1:50	1:50
Weathersfield Trailhead	2.9	5.8	1:30	3:20

Map of hike route on Mt. Ascutney (map by Webmaster)

Trail Guide

Weathersfield Trail, blazed in blue, is a moderate trail with pretty (and easy-to-cross) streams and great outlooks.

We started out as a group of five with the intention that Nancy, Simon (a dog), and Quack (a person) would go only as far as Crystal Cascade Falls and then hike back down while Jay and I continued to the summit.

About 20 minutes into the hike we crossed Little Cascade Falls - a small stream that had a gorge-like feel to it. Just upstream a dark, rock wall, loomed up on one side of the water. After crossing the stream, the rock continued on the right hand side of the trail with tiny rivulets of water dripping down at various intervals.

Just beyond this, the trail consisted of a wooden staircase about 12 feet long. Simon didn�t like the stairs and opted for the terrain alongside it; then decided he didn�t like that either. He stopped halfway up and couldn�t be convinced to budge another inch. He�s 90 people years old and was feeling the pain in his hips. So Nancy turned around with him and they headed back home.

Jay, Quack, and I continued up to Crystal Cascade Falls. This is a spectacular spot where you can sit on rocks in the middle of Ascutney Brook while the water flows around you. Just beyond our resting place, the water plunged steeply down a tall ledge (84 feet). We sat there and ate lunch and enjoyed the views. Jay and I gave Quack dirty looks as she tried to take photos of us but our moods quickly lightened as she realized her camera battery was dead (we both hate getting our pictures taken).

At this point Quack had to head back down to go to work. Jay and I continued up the trail. At 2.3 miles, we came upon Gus�s Lookout. From here we had more great views and could also look over towards the left and see the summit of Mt. Ascutney itself.

The next notable outlook was at West Peak which has a wooden deck that serves as a hang gliding launch pad. There were no hang gliders today - it was far too windy. The cold, relentless wind did not even allow me to stand on the edge of the pad for very long before I retreated back several feet where I could enjoy the views in comfort.

Shortly before the summit proper is an observation tower. Although great views can be had from the ground, climbing the tower results in spectacular 360-degree views. Just beyond this spot is the summit proper which has more rocks and less trees than the area with the observation tower; but also has ugly antennas on it.

We got back to the parking area by following the same trail back down the mountain.

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VT - Southern

Driving Directions

Take exit 8 (Ascutney) off I-91 to Rt. 131.
Follow Rt. 131 west for 3.3 miles.
Turn right onto Cascade Falls Road.
Bear left at a fork.
Continue 0.3 mile then turn right.
Drive up a short hill to a dirt parking area.

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