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Play Hard / Wide Open - Woodstock
NOTE: the following material from Play Hard, Rest Easy: New England, does not comprise the entire contents of the book. This abbreviated content shows the breadth but not depth of coverage you'll find in the book.
The book's introduction to Wide Open includes extensive descriptions of the following outdoor playgrounds:
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park (802) 457-3368
Hike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe up the carriage trails to Mount Tom, all right in Woodstock.
Ottauquechee River (802) 295-2990
This river flows through Woodstock and provides excellent fly fishing opportunities. Also tubing and swimming are available at the Quechee Gorge Recreation Area.
Dewey's Mill Pond
Canoeists can truly enjoy nature in this pastoral water-fowl sanctuary.
White River
This fast-paced river is good for canoeing, kayaking, and flyfishing, and has a few superb swimming holes.
Connecticut River
Its breadth and flatness make the Connecticut excellent for canoeing.
North Hartland Lake (802) 295-2855
This reservoir is inviting for paddlers and swimmers seeking to enjoy its pristine views. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers also enjoy the challenge of the rugged terrain surrounding it in the winter months.
Ascutney State Park (802) 674-2060
This park is home to 3,144-foot Mount Ascutney and offers 2,000 acres good for hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing. Hang gliding is also popular from the park¡Ás Brownsville Rock.
Gifford Woods State Park (802) 775-5354
This park is a natural haven of mountains, ponds, waterfalls, and spectacular views accessible by foot, ski, or snowshoe.
Dayhiking
From Woodstock, you can hike literally in town or drive within a radius of 30 miles and have access to hundreds of miles of scenic trails, including the revered Appalachian and Long trails.
Here's an example of a hike description from the chapter on Woodstock:
If you're short on time or wish to spend the majority of your day exploring Woodstock's many laid-back diversions, like world-class shopping or gallery hopping, you can manage a quick hike on one of the two in-town treasures: 1,250-foot Mount Tom or 1,060-foot Mount Peg. The 1.6-mile (one-way) Faulkner Trail makes an easy ascent up Mount Tom from Faulkner Park on Mountain Avenue. From the town green, take Union Street across the Middle Covered Bridge and past River Street. The road veers left and becomes Mountain Avenue. Faulkner Park is ahead on the right. The trail climbs from the grassy park in a series of switchbacks at such an easy grade that you're hardly aware of the climb¥Ò until slightly below the summit, where the final hundred yards is fairly steep. From the top, behold scenic Woodstock below¢¨the covered bridge, white steeples, redbrick mansions, and white clapboard houses. You'll also see several towers filled with bells cast by Paul Revere.
The following hikes are also described in the Woodstock chapter:
The one-mile (one-way) Mount Peg Trail. The half-mile, stone-studded path down into Quechee Gorge to the fast-moving Ottauquechee River.
Numerous dayhikes on the famed Appalachian Trail (AT), which passes through the outskirts Woodstock.
South of Woodstock, near Windsor, there are several great hiking trails to the summit of 3,144-foot Mount Ascutney in Ascutney State Park, (802) 674-2060.
From the west, the 3.6-mile Bucklin Trail (7.8 miles roundtrip) offers one of the nicest, most secluded routes to the top of Killington Peak.
Other hiking options exist in: Gifford Woods State Park, Wilgus State Park, and Coolidge State Forest.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in the immediate Woodstock area is primarily on rural, dirt roads with stretches of blacktop in between. There's plenty of climbing, but the spectacular scenery from these desolate roads, including medieval-looking forests and open pastures stretching far away to the base of the mountains, takes your mind off the challenges.
An example of a mountain biking description from the chapter on Woodstock:
Arguably the finest mountain biking in New England exists a 50-minute drive from Woodstock in Randolph, or 26 miles north on Route 12. Randolph is home to the largest network of maintained, public Class IV (unimproved) dirt roads and legal mountain bike trails. The White River Valley Trails Association defined and mapped more than 240 miles of mountain bike trails, including 15 named loops, ranging from easy, grassy doubletracks to white-knuckling, adrenaline-pumping singletracks. The organization is temporarily dormant, but the trails live on, and you can stop by any of the rental sources below for current trail information. Ask about the map Randolph Vermont Mountain Biking Trails, which shows the 240 miles of trails, plus suggests 10 routes with trail descriptions and difficulty ratings. It's in most area bike shops or available directly from Map Adventures, 1-800-282-3963, www.mapadventures.com. Also, local residents say the original map and guide printed by the WRVTA will be reprinted and available in stores sometime in 2001.
The following trails are also described in the Woodstock chapter:
Some especially peaceful and picturesque dirt roads include Morgan Hill Road, French Hill Road, and Jenneville Road. Ride Hartland Hill Road to unpaved Garvin Hill Road. The lightly graveled roads around Silver Lake in Barnard.
The extensive trail network atop 4,241-feet Killington Peak at pay-to-play Killington.
The dazzling network of forest roads through the Green Mountain National Forest, including Ash Hill Trail, Pine Brook Trail, and Contest Trail.
Road Biking
The quiet back roads around Woodstock lend themselves to either relaxing cycling or more aggressive workouts through farm-filled valleys and up challenging mountains.
An example of a road biking description from the chapter on Woodstock:
The River Road Ride is a 20-mile out-and-back from Woodstock to Quechee along the Ottauquechee River on the scenic, tree-lined River Road. (A brief stretch of the road is dirt.) From Woodstock's village green, ride Route 12 north over the bridge and take a right at Billings Farm onto River Road, which passes through the farm grounds. Bear right after the farm, staying on River Road, for the ride to Talcville (five miles) and on to Queechee (10 miles). Return by the same route.
The following road routes are also described in the Woodstock chapter:
The 23-mile Bethel loop passes Silver Lake and the town of Barnard, giving you the option to stop for a swim at Silver Lake State Park.
The 27-mile Pomfret-West Hartford-Quechee loop is an exceptionally scenic ride, as is Route 106 south from Woodstock and Route 12 south from Taftsville.
Paddling
Several area rivers and numerous lakes make for plenty of paddling options around Woodstock. With the exception of the spring run-off season, most of the rivers are fairly tame.
An example of a paddling description from the chapter on Woodstock:
East of Woodstock, the Connecticut River is broad and makes for tranquil canoeing and the occasional eagle or osprey sighting. There's a canoe-access area on the river bank in Wilgus State Park, off Route 5 in Ascutney, (802) 674-5422.
The following paddling opportunities are also described in the Woodstock chapter:
The White River, which flows into the Connecticut at White River Junction.
The Ottauquechee River, which runs through Woodstock.
Flatwater paddling at North Hartland Lake, a reservoir run by the Army Corps of Engineers in North Hartland.
In Quechee off Dewey's Mill Road, Dewey's Mill Pond, a waterfowl sanctuary and pleasant body of water created by the dam just short of Quechee Gorge.
You can rent canoes and paddle the lake at Silver Lake State Park.
Fly Fishing
Vermont's swift-running and rocky White River and the beautiful Ottaquechee River are home to brook, rainbow, and brown trout, and the rivers provide stable business for several outstanding fly fishing outfitters and guide businesses, including:
The Vermont Fly-Fishing School, at the Quechee Inn, Clubhouse Road, Quechee, (802) 295-7620, www.scenesofvermont.com/wildernesstrails.
In East Randolph, Trout on the Fly, (802) 728-6599, www.troutonthefly.com, offers guided fly fishing trips with lunch and all equipment provided.
Horseback Riding
Kedron Valley Stables, Route 106, South Woodstock, (802) 457-1480, is a full-service equestrian facility offering trail rides and lessons. (The facility also makes outstanding maple syrup.) Owner Paul Kendall organizes inn-to-inn riding vacations in central Vermont.
As the home to the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA), Route 106, South Woodstock, (802) 457-1509, www.gmhainc.org, one of the nation's oldest, active horse organizations, Woodstock could be called somewhat of an equestrian capital.
Rainy Day Workout
The Woodstock Inn owns and operates the multi-million-dollar Woodstock Health & Fitness Center, Route 106, south of Woodstock, (802) 457-6656, which opened in 1986 and underwent an additional renovation in 2000. The expanded facility features extensive workout space with all-new Cybex VR2 equipment, free weights, two indoor tennis courts, two squash courts, two racquetball courts, eight outdoor tennis courts, an indoor lap pool, a whirlpool, an aerobics room, a steam bath, a sauna, lockers, and spa-treatment rooms. Day passes are available to the public.
Swimming
If you're interested in showing off your backstroke, head to Silver Lake State Park on North Road in Barnard, where the lake affords plenty of room to play. This small state park is nine miles north of Woodstock, off Route 12, and has a grassy beach and changing facilities. There's a nominal day-use fee.
You can swim in North Hartland Lake in North Hartland.
There are numerous swimming holes in the three branches of the White River.
You can also swim beneath the Blackmer Road Bridge west of Gaysville.
Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
When the snow blankets the country around Woodstock, snowshoes and Nordic skis provide a fun, low-impact means of getting around and exploring the outdoors.
Here's an example of a snowshoeing & cross-country skiing description in the Woodstock chapter:
Snowfall has a way of turning even less remote reaches into beautiful scenes, so if you don't wish to make a backcountry experience of it, you can snowshoe and ski the forest roads of the Green Mountain National Forest in the Rochester Ranger District off Route 73. These unplowed roads are wide enough that you're not likely to lose your way, even in a heavy snowfall. To be sure, swing by the Rochester Ranger District office, 1.8 miles north of Rochester Center on Route 100, (802) 767-4261, and ask for a map of the local forest roads.
The following snowshoeing & cross-country skiing opportunities are also described in the Woodstock chapter:
You can set out to explore the backcountry in the Coolidge State Forest.
Or, venture into Gifford Woods State Park on Route 100. Snowshoe and/or cross-country ski through the ungroomed terrain of North Hartland Lake.
Several local ski touring centers offer trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Woodstock Inn operates the Woodstock Ski Touring Center.
You can rent snowshoes and Nordic skis from Wilderness Nordic Ski School at the Quechee Inn.
In Randolph, the Green Mountain Ski Touring Center has 31 miles of mapped trails. If the snow cover is a little thin, head to Mountain Meadows Cross Country Ski Resort.
Downhill Skiing
An example of a downhill skiing description in the Woodstock chapter:
Twelve miles from Woodstock, the East Coast's largest ski area, Killington, Killington Access Road, Killington, 802-422-6200 or 1-800-621-6867, www.killington.com looms large on the horizon with seven mountains, including Pico (once a separate ski area). There are 200 diverse trails, (34% beginner, 33% intermediate, 33% advanced) served by 32 lifts, including six high-speed quads, and two gondolas. The terrain includes plenty of wide open, groomed cruisers; classic, narrow New England runs; moguls; steeps; trees; and several options for snowboarders, including parks, pipes, and The Swatch Palmer Rider Cross Course. On Bear Mountain, experts test their meddle on the well-known Outer Limits and Outer Limits II trails. The resort enjoys one of the longest ski seasons in the country thanks to 250 inches of natural snow each winter, supplemented by the nation's most extensive snowmaking system. Clustered around the base of this 3,150-foot vertical drop resort is an entire village with ski shops, dining, lodging, and nightlife choices galore.
The following snowshoeing & cross-country skiing opportunities are also described in the Woodstock chapter:
Suicide Six, a small but delightful ski area on Pomfret Road, South Pomfret.
Ascutney Mountain Resort, serviced by five chairlifts, including a new mile-long, high-speed quad.
In Ludlow, Okemo Mountain Resort rises directly from town and offers thrilling views from the summit of its 3,343-foot mountain.
LOCAL OUTDOORS ADVICE
Eastern Mountain Sports- One of the leading hiking and outdoor sports specialty retailers in the country, EMS opened in Boston in 1967 and now has more than 75 stores in 15 states, including this location in West Lebanon, 12 miles from Woodstock. The store sells all manner of outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear and rents camping equipment, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and kayaks. 8 Glen Road (Powerhouse Mall), West Lebanon, New Hampshire, (603) 298-7716, www.emsonline.com
Woodstock Sports- Peter and Allison Johnston operate this full-service sports store in the center of Woodstock. The Johnstons and their staff are happy to provide suggestions on outdoor excursions. The store sells sporting equipment, outdoor gear, apparel, and footgear. Woodstock Sports rents downhill and Nordic skis, snowshoes, ice skates, sleds, mountain bikes, and inflatable tubes for lazy river excursions on hot summer days or sledding in the winter. 30 Central Street, Woodstock, (802) 457-1568, woodstocksports.com
Wilderness Trails- In a small barn behind the Quechee Inn, Marty Banak operates a thorough outfitting operation and small retail shop. There's not much merchandise here- cross-country skis, snowshoes, and small accessories or apparel to complement the gear Banak sells or rents- but there's some of the most knowledgeable outdoors advice to be found. The trick might be catching Marty in between his many runs to the river for put-ins or take-outs. If you arrive and he's not here, wait 10 minutes and he'll likely show up with real-time updates from the river or trails. Wilderness Trails rents hybrid and mountain bikes, canoes, kayaks, fly fishing equipment, snowshoes, Nordic skis, and ice skates. He also operates the Vermont Fly Fishing School. The Quechee Inn, Main Street, Quechee, (802) 295-7620, www.scenesofvermont.com/wildernesstrails
Click here to view Woodstock's abbreviated Play Hard, Kick Back contents in the book, Play Hard Rest Easy: New England.
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