Mountain Times Summer Getaways 2019

Central Vermont

Free

Guided by locals

Sugarmakers

THE MAPLE RUN pg. 9 Treehouse living

DREAM HOME pg. 20 33 not-to-be-missed

EVENTS pg. 42

Spring & Summer

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Curtis Harrington Distribution manager

Co-publisher, sales manager

Jason Mikula

Co-publisher, editor

Polly Mikula

Assistant editor, reporter

Distribution sidekick

Chinook

Sales and marketing rep

Lindsey Rogers

Esmé Mikula Next generation

Siobhan Chase

Erica Harrington

Tianna Bonang

Kenosha

Graphic’s guardian

Business manager

Graphic designer

Mascot

Katy Savage

Graphic designer

Troy

Ray Domingus

Sales and marketing rep Photo above by Oliver Parini, right by Chandler Burgess, cover submitted

Come play!

Spring brings about a congratulatory sprirt here in Central Vermont. Whether it’s elation at having made it through the winter, the excitement of spring skiing on sunny slopes, the anticipation of the trails turning over to mountain biking – or perhaps it's a collective sugar high from the maple run. Whichever it is you seek, you’ve come to the right place to play!

The excitement builds right into summer, too, with expanding networks of mountain bike trails across the region, rivers and lakes to paddle, swim, fish, boat or tube, and a plethora of outdoor concerts and events (we've listed 33 events not to be missed!)

While the options are plentiful, knowing where to start can be a bit 4

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2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

overwhelming. So let us help! This guide is written by locals for visitiors (as well as fellow locals). It’s by no means comprehensive of all offerings, but rather aims to give both an overview of the most popular activities and events each season as well as provide an insider’s, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to grow, produce, build or craft a life and livelihood here in Central Vermont.

Whatever you choose, we're glad you've come to play!

Polly and Jason Mikula, co-publishers

Features:

Spring: SUGARMAKERS 9 LAST CHAIR

13

HEMP FARM

16

“TREE HOUSE”

20

Summer: MTB 27 HUT-TO-HUT 30 PADDLING

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TO-DO WITH KIDS 40 MUST SEE EVENTS 42

Central Vermont Getaways is produced by The Mountain Times, Killington, Vt. 802-422-2399 | mountaintimes.info 2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

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Rutland County

Windsor County

St. Albans

Rutland

New York City

How to get to

Central Vt. By car By bus Boston: 155 miles, 3 hrs. Burlington to Rutland: $6-$13, 2.5 hrs.

I-93N to I-89N to US-4W (exit 1 in Vt.)

Montreal: 180 miles, 3.5 hrs.

I-35S to QC-133S to I-89S to107/100S (exit 3)

New York City: 255 miles, 5 hrs.

I-87N to NY-149/US-4E (exit 20)

MVRTD, CCTA, Middlebury Connector, Vermont Translines

Albany to Rutland: $18-$21, 2.5 hrs.

Greyhound, Vermont Translines

Rutland to Killington: $2, 30 min.

Marble Valley Regional Transit District (MVRTD) a.k.a. “The Bus�

Philadelphia Baltimore By plane By train Boston to Rutland: $70, 1 hour on Cape Air New York City to White River Jct: $63, 7 hrs. (three flights daily)

Washington, DC 8

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From Boston

connect to all corners of the world!

New York City to Rutland: $73, 5.5 hrs.

The Vermonter and the Ethan Allen Express trains offer daily service from Washington, D.C. and New York City to Rutland or St. Albans, Vt.

SUGAR SHACKS Mount Pleasant Sugarworks Brandon 802-247-3117

Baird Farm

Chittenden 802-483-2963

Sugarhill Maple Farm East Wallingford 802-259-2620

Cutting’ it Sweet Photo by Katy Savage

Sugarmaker sticks to tr aditions

Hubbardton 802-558-3108

Cross Road Sugar Co.

Ira 802-235-2747

Green Mountain Sugar House

By Katy Savage

At age 74, Jim Peplau is set in his ways.

Peplau didn’t listen.

Ludlow 802-228-7151

Everyday he wakes up 6 a.m. to feed his 10 yearlings, eight cows and six calves. He feeds the animals again around noon, cleans the barn at 4 p.m., and feeds them again in the evening.

“I just decided I had enough of working for somebody else,” he said. “I just figured I’d go out and try being my own boss for a while.”

Mendon 802-773-7832

Every year he chops and stacks multiple cords of wood behind his maple sugar shack, which he built himself in the 1980s, using the trees in the forests surrounding his property, which totals 160 acres.

His farm, called Happy Acres, is 5 miles up a dirt road in Reading.There’s an “Open” flag on the edge of the property, alerting customers they can purchase syrup, which he and his wife sell from their kitchen.

Despite his age, Peplau does most of the farming himself while his wife Sandy works at Springfield Hospital and comes home at night to help.

Middletown Springs 802-235-9368

“You got a few more aches and pains than you ever used to have but you keep going,” Peplau said. “There isn’t much else.”

Mt. Holly 802-259-7800

Peplau is used to his routine every spring. Sugar is made by the leaves during summer and is stored as starch in the roots. Peplau needs a tree that’s 40 years old and 12 inches wide. The larger the tree, the larger the tree-top and the sweeter the sap should be.

Pawlet 802-325-3150

It may be busy, but it’s peaceful here. It’s a lifestyle we’ve chosen.

A herd of beef cattle grazes on the right and in the summer, a large vegetable garden of beans and corn is on the left with a line attached to a maple tree.

Peplau started making maple syrup here as a child. He collected syrup from 1,500 taps with two horses. Peplau helped his father, who had a small dairy farm at the time.

Peplau’s father tried to get his son to pursue a different career, outside the farm business, but

Sugar & Spice

“What you need is good, clean, white wood,” Peplau said. The cleaner the wood, the better the tap.

Mara Maple Farm

Papa John’s Sugar Shack

Mettowee Valley Maple

Begin Sugarhouse

Pittsfield 802-476-7906

New England Maple Museum Pittsford 802-483-9414

Green’s Sugarhouse Poultney 802-287-5745

Around February, when temperatures rise to 45 degrees F in the day and drop back to freezing at night, Peplau can start collecting sap. He needs 40 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup.

Wood Family Sugarhouse

Sap flows into his sugarhouse from tubing that extends from tree to tree. He starts boiling as

Happy acres

Continues on pg 10

Poultney 802-287-9249 Reading 802-484-7806

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SUGAR SHACKS Harold c. Hubbard

Rochester 802-767-4406

Mom & Pop’s Farm

Rochester 802-767-3731

Krueger-Norton Sugarhouse Shrewsbury 802-492-3653

Smith Maple Crest Farm Shrewsbury 802-492-2151

Orchard Hill Farm

South Woodstock 802-457-1543

Top Acres Farm South Woodstock 802-457-3779

K&S Ruane Maple Sugar Farm Tinmouth 802-446-3105

Mountain Valley Maple Farm West Rupert 802-394-2928

Brown’s Family Farm

Benson 802-537-4474

Bourdon’s Maple Farm

Woodstock 802-457-3787

Elm Grove Farm

Woodstock 802-457-3888

Richardson Family Farm

Woodstock 802-457-1225

Sugarbush Cheese and Maple Farm Woodstock 802-457-1757

Photos courtesy of Happy Acres Farm Continued from pg 9

soon as he has enough. As the sap evaporates, it thickens. When the sap reaches 219 degrees, the syrup is ready. From there, the syrup is filtered and graded.

Peplau has good years and bad years, producing 300 to 900 gallons of maple syrup each season.

Last season was one of his worst. He made around 350 gallons of syrup.

“We were froze up for at least three weeks right during the heart of the season,” he said.

But Peplau keeps going, looking forward to what the next season may bring. The maple syrup industry has changed dramatically since

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Peplau was a child, he said.

He went from a pair of horses, collecting sap with buckets, to tubing. Some sugarmakers use a reverse osmosis machine to extend the time they can collect sap.

Peplau shakes his head. “It’s just too damn much greed,” he said. “I still have in my head that you’re not doing the tree any favor.”

Peplau sticks to his traditions, on his farm where cows moo in a field below his sugarhouse, wanting Peplau to feed them.

For the Peplaus, making maple syrup is an art.

“It may be busy, but it’s peaceful here,” Sandy said. “It’s a lifestyle we’ve chosen.”

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Last chair Sun tan on the slopes? Yes, please! Each year Killington Resort delights skiers and riders – often donning T-shirts and shorts (or less) – by spinning its lifts through May, sometimes into June!

The beach party atmosphere is enhanced by live music on the outdoor deck at the Umbrella bar at the base of Superstar. Don’t forget your sunglassess, “snow blindness” is real!

Photos by Robin Alberti

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VERMONT

Farmers Market Fair Haven Market

June - October: Thursdays 3-6 p.m.

Rutland City Market

May - October: Saturdays 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Wednesdays 3 – 6 p.m.

November - May: Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Holiday Craft Fairs

November - Holiday Inn, Route 7 South, Rutland Vt., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Christmas Holiday Show

December - Holiday Inn, Route 7 South, Rutland Vt., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Vermont Farmers Market is one of the largest and most diverse farmers markets in Vermont, and the first to operate 52 weeks out of the year. We bring together as many as 60 vendors from Vermont and Washington County, NY. We run multiple markets in the Rutland region during all seasons. Two in Rutland City (summer & winter) and one in Fair Haven (summer).

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SIMON GHRAICHY Guest Artist

Enjoy weekly performances by some of the world’s finest classical musicians in an intimate setting on the mountain.

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FARMERS’ MARKETS Brandon Fridays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Central Park, Route 7

Castleton Thursdays, 3:30-6 p.m. on Main Street

Fair Haven Fridays, 3-6 p.m. in Fair Haven Park

Ludlow Fridays, 4-7 p.m. on the lawn at Okemo Mountain School, Main Street

Pittsford Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Village Green, Route 7

Poultney

Vermont farm sells hemp as a family

By Katy Savage Vermont is known for its dairy products, but Joe and Rebecca Pimentel are making the state known for a different product – one that’s rapidly growing in popularity.

Luce Farm, their 206-acre farm in Stockbridge, is one of two in the state that’s licensed to manufacture hemp products from a commercial kitchen.

The Pimentels have infused hemp into honey, coconut oil and even helped create CBD beer.

CBD, a cannabinoid, hit the market about three years ago and its popularity is only growing. A Brightfield Group report predicted the hemp-CBD market would hit $22 billion by 2022. Unlike THC, which causes the psychoactive “high” effect, CBD is said to help with things as diverse as inflammatory diseases to PTSD. Joe and Rebecca say the herb helps with their own joint pain, anxiety, colds and migraines.

“We really believe in it,” Rebecca said. “It’s really a powerful medicine.”

Thursdays, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Main Street

Their product line is expanding rapidly, with a focus on health and well-being.

They added five new products to their line last year, including hemp-infused cold and flu remedies, rubs and elderberry syrup. Luce Farm products can be found in 120 retail stores in the area and online.

Luce Farm also works with local businesses.

Joe and Rebecca created CBD-infused beer with Long Trail Brewing in Bridgewater and a CBC-infused coffee with Abracadabra Coffee Co. in Woodstock.

“We’ve been so fortunate to stumble into it,” Rebecca said.

Joe and Rebecca grew up outside Boston, but they craved the countryside. They experimented with farming in the Massachusetts suburbs with produce and vegetables, but they were looking for a way for farming to be more profitable.

Joe, who has been a cannabis user for 20 years, wanted to grow marijuana when he and Rebecca moved to Vermont seven years ago to Continues on pg 17

Rochester Fridays, 3-6 p.m. on the Park

Rutland Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. in Depot Park (summer) Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.2 p.m. at 251 West Street (winter)

It’s something we’re so proud of.

We really want to break that stigma.

West Pawlet Fridays, 4-7 p.m. in Fish & Game Building

Woodstock Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Mt. Tom parking lot, Route 12

Photo courtesy Luce Farm

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Rebecca and Joe Pimentel run Luce Farm like any other farm in Vermont. Robin Chadwell tends to the hemp.

Photos by Sophie Shillue

Continued from pg 16

raise a family, but it wasn’t legal at the time. CBD, however, was.

“I never knew what CBD was,” said Joe. They were asked to grow CBD one season as a trial for Evergreen Capital Management, an investment group.

Joe and Rebecca are anticipating what that could mean for their business, but despite the legality, there still exists a negative stigma surrounding cannabis products.

Joe and Rebecca started noticing the positive effects of CBD immediately after working with the plant.

Luce Farm is a family farm. Children visit each year for field trips and Joe and Rebecca’s own children, ages 6 and 8, use CBD products for headaches and cold relief. To them, it’s more natural than any pain medication.

“You could automatically feel it in your hands,” Joe said. “You could tell it worked.”

“It’s something we’re so proud of,” Rebecca said. “We really want to break that stigma.”

It became legal to grow and possess marijuana in Vermont July 1, 2018. The Legislature is now considering making it legal to sell marijuana.

Joe and Rebecca raise goats and chickens in addition to selling hemp products. To them, their business is like any other Vermont farm.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Rebecca said.

“It’s always changing,” Rebecca said. “We feel like everyday there’s something different.”

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2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

PLAYGROUND The Killington Adventure Center is a playground for all ages. Test your skills in the Woodward WreckTangle, and try over 15 family friendly attractions.

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Inspired by a treehouse Local couple builds unique modern home on a budget

By Katy Savage

The size, space and materials were designed in a way that wouldn’t break their budget. ~ Sam Ostrow Photos by Polly Mikula Rendering by Kitchen Encounters Disclosure: Jason and Polly Mikula are co-publishers of this magazine

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Shortly after moving to Vermont from Colorado seven years ago, Jason Mikula built a treehouse in his backyard in Killington, complete with a climbing wall, hammock and zip lines.

The treehouse, 100 square feet with a wraparound porch, was meant for his children, now ages 8 and 10, but Mikula built it big enough so that he and his wife Polly could stand up inside and enjoy it, too.

“Standing up there on the porch looking down at the property gave us a whole new perspective,” said Polly. “We hadn’t anticipated enjoying the view from up there as much as we did.”

That perspective influenced many of their decisions when they embarked on their next project: building their own 2,000 square-foot modern farmhouse-style home, which they completed this year—a 20-year dream the millennial-aged parents achieved in seven years with tactical planning.

The Mikulas started designing their home about two years ago. After scrapping some initial plans, the first sketch of what would be-

Rendering by Sam Ostrow

come their current home started on a napkin— literally. They moved in this past April.

“The process of narrowing down our visions and dreams, to choose just one to move forward with, was very challenging,” said Polly, who noted that her Pinterest board had dozens of posts for most aspects of the house.

“Cost was also a limiting factor, obviously. But we were able to achieve many of the looks we liked most by being creative.”

They needed to stick to a $400,000 budget.

“From the start, designing from a tight budget was part of the project,” said Sam Ostrow, the Mikula's brother-in-law, who designed the home. “The size, space and materials were designed in a way that

wouldn’t break their budget.”

The house, with three different roof heights, is atypical, but “The structure was intended to be very simple,” said Ostrow. “Nothing was pushed outside of very typical materials and methods.”

The location presented challenges, too. The house is built on a cliff, overlooking the valley.

It is within walking distance of a dozen restaurants on Killington Road and it’s less than a minute to Killington Mountain ski resort, but it feels like it’s deep in the woods.

For the designer, the site presented the greatest challenge and greatest opportunity.

“We talked about that treehouse feel,” said Ostrow. “We wanted it to look like it had always Continues on pg 24

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2019

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Maple Madness March 23 4th of July July 4th Bookstock Literacy Festival July 26-28 Taste of Woodstock August 10th Fall Hunter Jumper Show September 7-8 Apples & Craft Fair + Food Truck Festival October 12-13 Wassail Weekend Early December The town of Woodstock is a beautiful historic area in the Green Mountains of Windsor County, a short scenic drive from Killington and Okemo. It is a destination boasting the only national park in Vermont, three covered bridges, fabulous restaurants, charming boutiques and shops, agricultural landscapes and numerous lodging establishments.

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Photos by Oliver Parini Continued from pg 21

been there. The idea was to let the house blend into the landscape around it.”

Everything about it was different for the builder, too.

“I hadn’t ever built anything like it,” said contractor Carl Holmquist, who owns Holmquist Building & Remodeling in Pittsford. “It wasn’t a typical design.”

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is sparse with only a bed for furniture, but features large windows on three sides with trees almost touching.

“Watching a thunderstorm at night from bed is thrilling,” said Polly.

The guest bedroom is like a jungle gym. With 14-foot high ceilings, it has two bunk beds well in the air with galvanized steel pipes nailed to the wall for a ladder.

half-level, made the perfect children’s fort and play area.

The Mikulas put in their own labor to stay within budget and were able to source some of the materials creatively, such as barn wood from an 1800s structure torn down in nearby Quechee, which is featured on the living room wall.

The house not only fits the landscape, it also fits the Mikulas’ outdoor lifestyle — perched on the side of a mountain, with large windows everywhere looking out into the canopy of trees. This time, it’s a grown up’s treehouse that happens to be kid-friendly.

“It’s proven to be very popular with the kids,” said Jason, who built many of the Steampunk-style pipe features. This bunkroom also has the distinction of being Ostrow’s favorite room in the house.

The kitchen and all three bathrooms have soapstone sinks, from Vermont Marble and Granite. The cabinets are a modern Shaker style with soft-close doors and the kitchen counter is quartz, from Kitchen Encounters in Clarendon. The dining room table was made

by Jason’s father.

The master bedroom, which overhangs the steepest part of the cliff, is where the treehouse concept is most apparent. The bedroom

The Mikulas used extra space to make the house seem bigger. A 3-foot high space underneath their daughter’s bedroom, which is on a

The Mikulas wanted Vermont maple wood floors on the main level, but they bought them rough and stained them in

2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

We wake up each morning feeling very thankful and lucky. ~Jason Mikula

Photos by Polly Mikula

place to keep the cost down.

Sustainability was also important to the Mikulas.

“We wanted to build an efficient home to avoid wasting precious natural resources or money,” said Jason. “We don’t plan to sell this home, ever, so we were looking for it to be cost-effective over our lifetime. We learned that choosing efficiency doesn’t necessarily have to cost more.”

The home is heated and cooled by electric heat pumps, a highly efficient source, in addition to a wood-burning stove.

“We have five acres of trees. Wood is a free and renewable energy source for us,” Jason said.

Residential Energy Consultant Steve Spatz worked with the Mikulas from start to finish.

Spatz, who works for Efficiency Vermont, provides free consulting services to make sure new and existing homes are as sustainable as possible. He conducted an energy analysis of the proposed design of the Mikula home.

He then worked with the heating contractor to analyze the heat pump equipment and the ventilation system.

“They definitely went far above and beyond what code requires and what typical construction would be,” said Spatz.

The Mikulas relied on local help. Seth Shaw, the owner of Goodro Lumber in Killington, also guided the project, helping the Mikulas pick materials and finishes to stay within budget.

“They were careful about the planning and

did copious amounts of work on the front end to develop a complete knowledge of the costs before they broke ground,” Shaw said.

The end result was a home that the Mikulas cherish.

“We wake up each morning feeling very thankful and lucky,” said Jason. “It was a lot of work – we joke that it’s the culmination of about 10,000 decisions, little and big – but it was worth it.”

The Mikulas still have a few details to finish inside (sliding barn doors to the kids’ fort area, shelves and a mirror vanity for the master bathroom, etc.) which they plan to finish over the winter. Then, upon snowmelt, they’ll be ready to move on to the next project: landscaping!

2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

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MTB

Photo courtesy of Killington Resort

Summer on the slopes Mountain biking visits increase exponentially, USO of MTB draws thousands

By Polly Mikula While skiing and riding have long drawn winter athletes to Killington Resort, mountain biking has given them a new reason to flock to the slopes in the summer.

The Killington Bike Park is New England’s fastest growing downhill mountain bike park and features three high-speed lifts serving over 30 miles of trails, according to Killington Resort.

In the summer of 2018, 30,000 mountain bikers rode the Killington Bike Park – an exponential increase from the 2,000 riders for the summer of 2013, before its five-year mountain bike expansions began. The buildout, which took place in the summers of 2014-2018, was done in partnership with Gravity Logic, a leader in bike park design.

It focused primarily on adding beginner and intermediate terrain at Snowshed and Ramshead base areas, adding to the resort’s intermediate and advanced trails off Killington Peak from the K-1 base area.

In addition to an increase in ridership, the resort hosted the USO of MTB in August 2018.

“The US Open of Mountain Biking is an amazing opportunity for Killington to show off the immense progress we’ve made expanding our mountain bike park over the past four seasons,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort.

“This event ... attract[ed] some of the best mountain bike athletes from all over the country competing in the US Open downhill, US Open Enduro, best whip, grom bomb and adaptive downhill races,” said Justin Pill, events and sponsorships manager at Killington Resort.

Historically, Killington Resort is known for developing and hosting large events and was chosen as the site for the 2018 event in part because of its new downhill track, onsite campground and extensive lodging options and restaurants, according to Fox Racing, the title sponsor for the US Open of Mountain Biking.

“Killington Resort has built an impressive new downhill track coming off Killington Peak, the second highest peak in Vermont,”

said USO co-founder and event director Clay Harper.

The USO track begins at 4,241 feet (at the top of the K-1 Gondola) and is 2.75 kilometers long. Nearly 250 athletes embarked on the downhill course, hitting speeds of up to 40 mph and crossed the finish line in just under 5 minutes.

The Pro/Am style format is a proving ground for up-and-coming and elite racers.

Anyone could enter the Open Class and compete among the pros for the $40,000 cash purse!

“The US Open is more than just a race, it’s a big mountain bike party for the whole family featuring vendors, live music, a bonfire and races for all levels,” said Pill.

Over 5,000 spectators attended the USO of MTB in its inaugural year at Killington.

Both the resort and USO of MTB leaders expressed interest in the event returning in years to come but an official announcement of those plans has not yet been issued.

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MTB TRAILS Rochester Valley Trails

99 Ranger Road, Rochester rastavt.org

2.75 kilometers of downhill track

30 miles

of trails at Killington Resort’s Bike Park

Green Mountain Trails

4276 Vt-100, Pittsfield gmtrails.org

Sherburne Trails 1756 Vt-100, Killington mtbvt.com

Killington Bike Park at Killington Resort 3861 Killington Road, Killington killington.com

Pine Hill Park

2 Oak St. Ext., Rutland pinehillpark.or

Moosalamoo National Recreation Area

(Note: Several trail systems within the area: Chatfield Loop, Minnie Baker, Leicester Hollow, Chandler Ridge, Water Tower Trails)

Vt-53, Leicester moosalamoo.org

Slate Valley Trails

(Note: Several trail systems within the area: Endless Brook, Fairgrounds Trails, Delaney Woods, among others that are multi-use.)

975 Endless Brook Road, Poultney slatevalleytrails.org

Evolution Bike Park at Okemo Mountain 77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow okemo.com

Mt. Peg Trail System

(Note: Enter the trail head just past the parking lot of the Woodstock Athletic Club.)

1489 South St., Woodstock woodstockinn.com

Aqueduct Trails

30,000 mountain bike visitors

were hosted in 2018

5,000 spectators attended the USO of MTB at Killington

250 athletes competed in the downhill event

Cox District Road, Woodstock mtbwoodstock.com

Elemental Bike Park at Suicide Six Ski Area

247 Stage Road, South Pomfret mtbs6.com

Photo by Christopher Vanderyajt

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USO of MTB

BIKE SHOPS

by the numbers

Alpine Bike Works Fat Bike Vermont

2046 Rt. 4, Killington 802-773-0000

Col Cycling

140 N. Main St., Rutland 802-417-1857

Evolution Bike Park 306 Mountain Rd., Ludlow 800-78-OKEMO

First Stop Bike Shop 8474 Route 4, Killington 802-422-9050

Green Mountain Bikes 105 N. Main St., Rochester 802-767-4464

Green Mountain Cyclery

133 Strongs Ave., Rutland 802-775-0869 Killington Bike Shop

at Snowshed Lodge

4763 Killington Rd., Killington 802-422-6232

True Wheels Bike Shop 2886 Killington Rd., Killington 802-422-3234

$40,000 in cash prizes

awarded to riders at the USO of MTB

40 mph

achieved at points along the downhill

The Bike Shop at Vermont Adventure Tours 223 Woodstock Ave., Rutland 802-773-3343

Woodstock Sports 30 Central St., Woodstock 802-457-1568

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Experience Vermont hut-to-hut Hike, bike and ski between backcountry cabins

By Polly Mikula and Abagael Giles The Vermont Huts Association is working toward a vision of 32 huts connecting 923 miles of trails with one network. The goal: for recreationalists to be able to hike, mountain bike or backcountry ski from one end of Vermont to the other, staying in heated cabins along the way.

The organization's website lays out their vision: “Our mission is to take these individual trail systems and unify them by linking a cohesive network of backcountry accommodations – where huts, cabins, yurts and lodges will exist to enhance our outdoor adventures. Our immediate efforts will be to unify the existing backcountry accommodations in the state. Once that’s completed, we’ll look to create new lodging opportunities to connect the dots in between.”

Thus far, the Huts Association has partnered with six existing cabins and completed one of its own, and has another in progress.

The existing cabins include The Vermont River Conservancy’s Nulhegan Confluence Hut and Hadsel-Mares in the Northeast Kingdom; Bolton Lodge and Bryant Camp in the Bolton Valley area; the Triple Creek Cabin (open for winter use only) in Huntington; and a partnership with Merck Forest and Farmland Center (MFFC) in Rupert, a non-profit educational organization on 3,162 acres that includes a 62acre farm, offering nine cabins plus four shelters. You can rent them on the association’s website, which lists each hut’s amenities.

In the fall of 2018, the Vermont Huts Association commissioned it’s first new cabin and announced plans for the second.

Both of the new cabins are located in Central Vermont.

Chittenden Brook, a 660-square-foot wood cabin in Rochester, was designed and built by Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Waitsfield and opened for year-round use on Sept. 28, 2018. It is located on the semi-remote Chittenden Brook Campground in Green Mountain National Forest. According to the Huts Association website, “Amenities include: bunks and mattress pads for up to 10 guests (just bring your sleeping bag), a kitchen with pots/pans/utensils/etc. (no running water), propane stovetop for preparing meals (bring your own food), propane stove for heat during cold months, common room for eating meals, playing games, etc., a reading nook for napping, relaxing (also doubles as a sleeping cove for two people), and a shared, enclosed outhouse (vaulted privy) for hut guests and campers.”

RJ Thompson, the executive director of the Vermont Huts Association, said it cost about $60,000 to design and build, with funding coming from a mix of grants, private donations and membership fees.

By the time the pre-built Chittenden Brook Hut was in the ground, it was booked for every weekend from December 2018 through mid-April 2019.

Then, on Oct. 5, just a week after Chittenden Brook opened, Thompson announced plans to rebuild the South Pond cabin in Chittenden – Continues on pg 32

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Photo by Marius Becker, Leave Nice Tracks The McCusker family from Rochester enjoys a backcountry excursion at the Chittenden Brook Hut, the first commissioned hut in the Vermont Huts Association network.

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Photo by Marius Becker, Leave Nice Tracks Angus, Kricket and Galen McCusker (pictured left to right) enjoy views from the Chittenden Brook Hut over breakfast. Angus is a founding member of RASTA. Continued from pg 30

about 15 miles south. The structure burned down on Jan. 16, 2018, in a blaze that the state police suspect was arson. The cabin sat on 2,700 acres of land purchased by the Trust for Public Land for $4 million in December 2017. The structure itself was appraised at $300,000 and its loss presented what Thompson called a significant blow to the organization financially in its early days.

The South Pond cabin was in an ideal location because it opened up access to multiple recreation opportunities and a variety of user groups, from hikers to backcountry skiers and mountain bikers, Thompson said. Located in the town of Chittenden, it sat just a quarter of a mile off of the Long Trail (a spur was planned between the Long Trail and the hut) and it was close enough to the existing Catamount Trail that a reroute had been proposed to allow users to move from the long-distance ski trail to the South Pond cabin.

Additionally, the cabin sits along the planned route of the future Velomont Trail, a proposed end-to-end mountain biking trail from Killington to Stowe that would use the same corridor as many of the Vermont Huts Association’s proposed huts.

Thompson said that Vermont Huts and the Trust for Public Land have been in communication with Green Mountain National Forest about having the 2,700-acre parcel at South Pond re-designated as national forest land over the next two years. However; once built, the shelter will be owned and operated by the Vermont Huts Association.

According to Thompson, the facility will be operational year-round and will sleep 14 guests and one caretaker. Guests will have 32

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the option of booking one of two private downstairs rooms that will sleep two and four people, respectively, or of booking a bunk in an upstairs bunkroom. The tentative plan is to have a common room area on the second floor of the building, along with a small caretaker room.

Thompson said that having a caretaker at this site will allow the organization to serve hikers and skiers who may be walking in without reservations from the Long Trail, the Catamount Trail and someday, the Velomont Trail. They will likely assist with trail maintenance on the property as well.

“The idea is to ensure that people are being good stewards of the surrounding area and property,” said Thompson.

The Vermont Huts Association has already identified a builder and designer to rebuild the South Pond cabin: Colby and Tobiason Builders of Woodstock. Co-owner Erik Tobiason and his wife Laurel Tobiason have built seven shelters to date for the Green Mountain Club, including the popular Stratton Pond Shelter. Tobiason said the structure will be post and beam to inspire a homey atmosphere and ensure its longevity.

With the goal of creating a network, the association is focusing their initial buildout of new huts between Killington and Stowe. They've already identified about a dozen prospective sites, Thompson said, adding that he doesn't anticipate a lot of pushback because the scale of the huts in Vermont will be small — unlike the larger, hostel-style huts in other parts of New England. And he said any huts placed on public land would have to go through an extensive approval process.

2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

Vermont may be a bit behind its neighbors developing a hut system, but the state is no stranger to backcountry travel and there are existing resources.

The Long Trail is home to over 60 shelters along its 272 miles, including simple leantos and more developed cabins with four walls, woodstoves and bunks. While staffed during the spring, summer and fall hiking seasons, the cabins along the high elevations remain open, even when the snow flies. None are winterized, but for those with backcountry experience and a sleeping bag good enough to withstand single and negative digit temperatures, overnighting in cabins becomes possible.

Additionally, at the end of many of Vermont’s abandoned logging roads stand derelict cabins or sheds that could be converted into the kind of backcountry rest stations that RASTA has created. Now, that’s happening: A number of older cabins, ranging from Stowe’s famous Stone Hut to Wheeler Pond’s Beaver Dam cabin in the Northeast Kingdom, are being renovated.

The Vermont Huts Association has visited dozens of these and is carefully considering which might be advantageous for their network, Thompson said.

The Vermont Huts Association is a Stowebased non-profit founded in August 2016, with the goal of creating a hut-to-hut system across Vermont modeled after those in New Zealand and Europe.

Becoming a member of the Vermont Huts Association costs $35 for an individual and $65 for a family of four. For more information visit vermonthuts.org.

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Come to our sugarhouse fot the best breakfast around!

After breakfast, check out our gift shop for all your souvenier, gift, and maple syrup needs. We look forward to your visit!

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Serving Breakfast & Lunch 7a.m. - 2p.m. daily Breakfast all day.

Sugar & Spice Restaurant & Gift Shop Rt. 4 Mendon, VT 802-773-7832 | www.vtsugarandspice.com

Always A Pleasure

You owe it to yourself to experience the legendary Countryman’s Pleasure in Mendon. This Old World gem is known to have the best German/Austrian cuisine in Vermont – some say in the US. Choose from an elegant mix of our traditional dishes and new, lighter options. We offer a weekly special prix-fixe dinner on Wednesdays. Thursday is Locals’ Night! Friday is $15 Burger & Bier in the Tavern. Check our Facebook to see what’s on the menu this week.

3 Town Line Road, Mendon, VT 34

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(802) 773-7141 countrymanspleasure.com

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WHITE MEMORIAL PARK POOL HEATED POOLS

Rutland City located on Avenue B

OPEN

Early June to Early Sept.

Daily Admissions Available

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 802-773-1822

Park & playground Tennis & basketball courts Slide Aqua Aerobics Diving Board Lap Swimming Splash Pad Swim Lessons

Great Breakfast Menu

Pancake House

Mtn Breakfast

EGGS • OMELETTES PANCAKES • WAFFLES Check online or call for seasonal hours Mountain Grove Coffee of VT Mimosas ~ Bellinis Bloody Marys Local Hot Sauces 923 KILLINGTON RD. | 802-422-4411

BEST N CTIO SELE MONT ER OF V AFT CR S BEER

GROCERY MEATS AND SEAFOOD

beer and wine DELICATESSEN BAKERY PIZZA CATER

ING

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner To Go

VT Products • Maple Syrup • VT Cheese Open daily 6:30am - 9:30pm

2023 KILLINGTON ROAD ATM • 802-422-7736 • Deli 422-7594 • www.killingtonmarket.com

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Paddling through Central Vermont ByBy Julia Purdy Julia Purdy Vermont has more than 800 lakes and ponds, and 23,000 miles of streams – a lot to choose from! For an easy day trip – or less – from Killington or Rutland, here are five recommendations for paddlers. Note: we have paddled them all!

Chittenden Reservoir & Lefferts Pond (Chittenden) No paddling guide is complete without mention of these two spots, but because of their popularity, on weekends at the height of the season, they are extremely congested.

Go midweek if you can. Pit toilets at both locations.

Directions: From Main Street Park in Rutland, drive north 2 miles on Route 7 to a tall water tower on your right. Bear right onto the East Pittsford Road and

follow the double yellow line to the town office on your right.

To the reservoir: Continue to the GMP Hydro boat launch access road at 2.1 miles.

To Lefferts Pond: From the town office, continue 1.4 miles to Wildcat Road, then right .5 miles to Forest Service Road 412. Parking at the end of FR 412 accesses both Chittenden Reservoir and Lefferts Pond.

Chittenden Reservoir

Lefferts Pond 36

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2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

Photos by Julia Purdy

Proctor Hydro (Proctor)

SWIMMING HOLES

A “canoe carry” is posted just downstream of the scenic 118-foot natural cascade (Sutherland Falls) on Otter Creek in Proctor. There is a gradual shoreline of packed silt for easy put-in. The water calms down quickly under average or low-water conditions. But when the falls are thundering with high water, the current can be treacherous, especially around fallen trees. An easy paddle downstream brings you below the Gorham covered bridge in Pittsford. The next bridge is Depot Bridge, but the creek may be impassable, choked with downed trees and flotsam before you get there. No facilities.

Benson’s Hole

Bromley Brook, Manchester

Buttermilk Falls

Directions: From Merchants Row and West St. in downtown Rutland, drive 1.7 miles west to Route 3 and turn north. Continue on Route 3 past the library. Turn left onto Patch St. At the foot of the short hill, turn left onto the access road.

Branch Brook, Ludlow

Cavendish Gorge Black River, Cavendish

Clarendon Gorge Mill River, Clarendon

Congdon’s Point

Leffer’s Pond/Chittenden Reservoir, Chittenden

Dorset Quarry Dorset

Falls of Lana

Sucker Brook, Salisbury

Felchville

North Branch Black River, Reading

Glen Lake Castleton

Hapgood Pond Peru

Bingo Brook

West Branch, West Rochester

Marble Street Quarry West Rutland

Mccormack’s Quarry

Clarendon River/Quarry, West Rutland

Poultney Area

Fish & Wildlife fishing access (Brandon-Sudbury)

Poultney River, Poultney

On Willowbrook Road at the junction with Route 73 west of Brandon is a grassy area with a small ramp. Paddling upstream, it’s a pleasant ride alongside Route 73, which is elevated above the creek. Downstream takes you into the Brandon Swamp Wildlife Management Area. Continue downstream to a pull-out (or put-in) at a steel truss railroad bridge. Beyond the bridge Otter Creek turns back on itself. No facilities.

East Creek, Rutland

Directions: From the center of Brandon, drive out Route 73 (Champlain St.). Willowbrook Road enters from the left at the foot of a steep hill. Route 73 has an almost parkway-like feel as Otter Creek flows alongside.

Patch Pond Power Station Quechee Gorge

Ottauquechee River, Quechee

Peavine beach

Green Mountain National Forest White River, Stockbridge

Gaysville

Bridge St., White River

Continues on pg 38

Sutherland Falls, Otter Creek, Proctor

Photos by Julia Purdy

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Continued from pg 37

GOLF Green Mountain National Golf Course

476 Barrows Towne Road, Killington 802-422-4653, gmngc.com

Highland Golf Course at Quechee Club 3268 Quechee Main St., Quechee 802-295-9356, quecheeclub.com

Killington Golf Course 227 East Mountain Road, Killington 802-422-6700, killington.com

Kent Pond Access (Killington) This 71-acre pond offers easy-in, easy-out and a forested shoreline, with Pico looking over its shoulder. Ducks, loons and a bald eagle are frequently seen. Boats can be put in at the state boat ramp off Route 100N or at the beginning of the long causeway on Thundering Brook Road off Route 4. Good for stand-up paddleboards, but be aware that winds can be strong. You may be sharing the water with small fishing boats. No facilities.

Directions: At the Killington Welcome Center on Route 4, turn north onto Route 100N. The Kent Pond access road is at the foot of the hill, on the right.

Bonus: Colton Pond (Killington), north on Route 100. Access road on the left at the corner of Barrows Towne Road.

Smaller than Kent, Colton is a peaceful, sheltered spot with beautiful sunset views. Portolet available.

Lake St. Catherine Country Club 2395 Route 30, Poultney 802-287-9341, lsccc.net

Neshobe Golf Club

224 Town Farm Road, Brandon 802-247-3611, neshobe.com

Okemo Valley Golf Club

Kent Pond

89 Fox Lane, Ludlow 802-228-1396, okemo.com

Proctor-Pittsford Country Club

311 Country Club Dr., Pittsford 802-483-9379, proctor-pittsford.com

Sugar Hill Reservoir (Goshen)

Prospect Point Golf Club

On the edge of the Green Mountain National Forest and fed by mountain streams, this 60-acre gem is held back by a high earthen dam, part of the Green Mountain Power hydro system. But that’s the only sign of civilization here. Beavers are active here, loons nest and raise their young, and great blue heron, osprey, and Canada geese frequent the place. Put in at the beach and ramp. No facilities.

111 Prospect Point Road, Bomoseen 802-468-5581

Rutland Country Club

275 Grove St., Rutland 802-773-3254, rutlandcountryclub.com

Stonehedge Golf Course (also offering foot golf) 216 Squire Road, North Clarendon 802-773-2666, stonehedgegolf.com

Directions: Take Route 73 east from Route 7 in Brandon. Turn left on Town Hill Road, then left again over the little bridge onto Forest Service Road 32 (aka Carlisle Hill Road). Continue north about 3.5 miles to a small access road with a gate on the right.

Stonehedge Indoor Golf 172 S. Main St., Rutland 802-779-9595, stonehedgeindoorgolf.com

Tater Hill Golf Club

6802 Popple Dungeon Road, Windham 802-875-2517, okemo.com

White River Golf Club

3070 Rt. 100, Rochester 802-767-4653, whiterivergolf.com

Woodstock Country Club 14 The Green, South St., Woodstock 802-457-6674, woodstockinn.com

Sugar Hill Reservoir Photos by Julia Purdy

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2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

RIVER TUBING Woodward Reservoir (Plymouth) Popular with anglers and paddlers, this 106-acre reservoir offers plenty of elbow room. There is a state boat ramp and a few attractive vacation homes and Plymouth’s famous Farm & Wilderness Camp dot the shoreline, but the soaring forested hillsides create a sense of solitude. Only small boats are allowed. A special feature is a rare floating bog, in a cove on the near end of the reservoir. In early summer, the bog sprouts hundreds of carnivorous pitcher plants. Loons nest here. No facilities.

Tweed River Tubing 2056 Route 100, Stockbridge, 802-746-8977

Vermont River Tubing 902 Route 100, Stockbridge, 802-746-8106

Directions: Take Route 4/100 toward Woodstock and turn south onto Route 100 in West Bridgewater. Follow Route 100 2 miles to the Farm & Wilderness Camp sign. The boat ramp is just beyond it.

Bonus: Continue down Route 100 10 miles to the boat ramp at 96-acre Echo Lake.

Woodward Reservoir Photo by Julia Purdy

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t s o g do n i h t wit ! s 10 reat d h ki g Play mini golf

18 holes at Mendon Mini Golf, on Route 4 will take up a nice afternoon, and it’s fun for all ages — toddler to adult.

ob

Phot

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oger

ey R

ds y Lin

Swim, slide or splash

White’s Pool in Rutland opened a brand new facility in 2018, offering a competition pool with a diving board for older kids, and a family pool for all ages, that has a slide and an area for splashing and spraying.

Take a hike

Kids of all ages can enjoy this free, multi-level activity, with trails for any family, whether you’re looking for a “sidewalk in the woods” or a full day hike.

Try mountain biking

For the adventure seeking family, downhill mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular, with Killington, Okemo, and Suicide 6 offering lift-serviced trail systems.

Or, take to the trails of Pine Hill Park in Rutland to power your own trip.

o by

Go camping

Whether it’s primitive camping in the Green Mountain National Forest, or in an RV at a Vermont State Park, the s’mores around the campfire will taste just as good.

ttina

Be rtesy

o cou

Phot

is

Dav

Phot

Taste test Vermont ice cream or creemees

Whether you fancy a twist with rainbow sprinkles on a sugar cone, a hard-served bubble gum in a dish, or a good ol’ maple creemee, ice cream is not hard to find in Vermont. Find your favorite family spot!

Visit the resort adventure centers

Killington Adventure Center and Okemo Adventure Zone both have features for all ages, from roller coasters to bungee trampolines to scenic chairlift rides. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it for the fun.

Go horseback riding

Is your child into “everything horses?”

Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden is one of few places around to take a guided trail ride. Plus, the scenery is pristine.

Visit a state park

Vermont’s State Parks are a day full of fun in the sun, with many featuring lake access with beaches, playgrounds, barbecue pits, water vessel rentals, and ample space for outdoor games.

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ring

Har

2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

Pho

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olme

ul H

Pa to by

ica y Er

t.

Dep

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and Rutl

Visit a sugar shack Maple Open House weekend is a great time for kids to try sugar on snow, plus they get to engage in a family tradition for lots of Vermont folks.

RCWA

Robert Carl Williams Associates, P.C. Vermont Architects and Planners, Pittsfield VT.

Retail Commercial contractor, Moore Construction Inc. Photo credit Chandler Burgess

Master Planners of the Hawk Communities The Umbrella Bars at Killington Resort.

Designing Fine Homes, Additons and Renovations,Commercial, Resort Facilities, Municipal Projects Historic Preservation and restoration for nearly 50 years

Š Richard Podlesney

Š 2012stockstudiophotography..com

Secret Mountain Home, contractor, Moore Construction Inc.

Enriching And Caring For Our Environment Are Our Objectives Custom Mountain Home and Carriage House.

802-746-8917 |

rcwa.com

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Spring & Summer MARCH:

APRIL:

MAY:

Masquerade Jazz and Funk Winter Music Carnival

Hops on the Snow

Bridgewater Raft Race

Nor’Beaster Spring Festival

Downtown streets, Rutland

Barnard Town Hall barnarts.org

Maple Madness

Village Green, Woodstock woodstockvt.com

Maplefest

Main Street, Poultney poultneyvt.com

Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow okemo.com

Killington Resort, Killington killington.com

Long Trail Brewery, Bridgewater

Loyalty Day Parade State Parks and Historic Sites Open for Season Statewide

Slush Cup

Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow okemo.com

Killington Stage Race

Killington Region killingtonstagerace.com

Sugar Daze Concert

Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow okemo.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parties

McGrath’s Irish Pub & O’Dwyer’s Public House, Killington innatlongtrail.com, summitlodgevermont.com

Maple Open House Weekend

Photo submitted

Statewide vermontmaple.org

Billy Ray Cyrus Concert Paramount Theatre, Rutland paramountvt.org

Vermont Craft Council Spring Open Studio Weekend

Photo by Donald Dill

Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge

Bear Mountain, Killington killington.com

Pond Skimming

Photo courtesy State of Vermont

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Killington Resort, Killington killington.com

2018-19 Centr al Vermont Getaways

Statewide vermontcrafts.com

JUNE: Vermont Days and Free Fishing Day

Statewide fpr.vermont.gov

Event highlights Bike & Brew

Killington Resort, Killington killington.com

Long Trail Century Ride

Hops in the Hills Beer & Wine Festival

Farm to Ballet

Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow okemo.com

Various locations in Vt. farmtoballet.org

Long Trail Brewing Co., Bridgewater Corners longtrailcenturyride.com

Chaffee Art Center’s Art in the Park Â

Main Street Park, Rutland chaffeeartcenter.org

Quechee Balloon Festival

Vermont State Fair

Quechee Village Green, Quechee quecheeballoonfestival.com

Vermont State Fairgrounds, Rutland vermontstatefair.org

Photo by Tim Barden

Independence Day Parade

Route 7, Brandon brandon.org

Photo by Robin Alberti

Vermont Symphony Orchestra Summer Festival Tour

JULY:

Statewide vso.org

President Calvin Coolidge Birthday Celebration

Killington Resort and Killington region killingtonpico.org

Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, Plymouth historicsites.vermont.gov

Killington Music Festival Ramshead Lodge, Killington killingtonmusicfestival.org

Independence Day Fireworks & Demo Derby Vermont Fairgrounds, Rutland vermontstatefair.org

Killington Wine Festival

Killington Chili Festival Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington killingtonrec.com

AUGUST: Cooler in the Mountains Concert Series Killington Resort, Killington killington.com

Photo by Robin Alberti

Dates and times TBA. For current event details, visit the venue websites, mountaintimes.info, or pick up a copy of the Mountain Times weekly newspaper.

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