Visit the Green Mountain National Forest

Have you ever snow shoed up Monastery Mountain, cross-country skied across Bingo Brooke or walked the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail? If not then you have plenty more adventures ahead of you in the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF). A guide to the forest reveals much about its unique history and the connection between the College and the forest’s trails.

At the heart of GMNF’s history is Joseph Battell. Many may associate him with the infamous freshman residence hall or the now-condominium-filled Battell Hill, but few realize how this 19th century Middlebury College trustee actually left his mark on the town and the College.

In 1915, Battell died, leaving thousands of acres of untouched forest land to the College with instructions to maintain the forest as it was, and to avoid clearing, logging, construction and other destructive practices whenever possible. Just fifteen years later, the College sold the land to the forest service, ignoring all of Battell’s wishes. As the land decayed, the frequency of floods, fires and uncontrolled logging began to increase, and it seemed that his message had been forgotten.

Around this time, GMNF was created with the mission of protecting, maintaining and enhancing forest ecosystems. For almost 80 years it has worked to protect land all over Vermont. The small portion in the Middlebury area, known as the Joseph Battell Wilderness, encompasses 12,333 acres of protected land, including five mountains above 3,000 feet, the headwaters of Bingo Brooke and several picnic areas. The forest is a critical habitat for black bears and boasts the longest trail-less ridge in the GMNF.

A mile from the College’s campus on Route 7 South sits the GMNF ranger station. Inside, a park ranger is on hand to assist hikers, hunters, campers and wood gatherers. The duties of a park ranger are varied; he provides information, issues permits and monitors forest activities in Middlebury and surrounding towns.

So whether you’re looking for an intense hike, or a casual picnic lunch by the water, put your excuses aside, get out and explore the forest.

Robert Frost Interpretive Trail
This flat trail is ideal for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. Trekkers can read Robert Frost’s poems from their postings in the woods and fields as they revisit some of the sites that inspired his writing. In the dry season, the boardwalk section of the trail is accessible to wheelchairs, offering enjoyment for people of all ages.
Distance: 1.2-mile loop

Mount Horrid and The Great Cliff
Once you get past the name, this hike is one of the best rewards for the least effort, and it’s right in Middlebury! Closed Mar. to July for peregrine falcon nesting, the cliff offers sweeping views of Brandon Gap and surrounding areas.
Distance: 1.2 miles

Abbey Pond
This great year-round hike is accessible from VT 116 in East Middlebury. The easy walking trail winds through untouched forest, includes three stream crossings and ends at Abbey Pond, an undiscovered wetland full of nesting great blue herons and other wildlife.
Distance: 4 miles

Worth Mountain and Monastery Gap
This hike, located at the intersection of VT 125 East and the Long Trail (also accessible by Addison County Transit Resources shuttle), begins with a traverse of the Middlebury College Snow Bowl on the Long Trail South. Leave the lifts behind as you plunge into the national forest and proposed wilderness area. Enjoy sweeping views to the south.
Beyond Worth Mountain Summit, the trail ends, and the adventure really begins. Hikers can bushwhack due east to Monastery Gap through thick conifers, then proceed down the slope and into stream territory. Turn north at the headwaters of Robbins Branch and Bingo Brook tributaries, then return to VT 125, and civilization.
Distance: 6.2 miles, 2.2 miles off trail.

Monastery Mountain and Grindstone Brook
Another hike off of VT 125, Monastery Mountain has a roomy parking lot just past the intersection of Texas Falls Rd. Be sure keep your eyes open for the legendary Monastery moose. This challenging loop ventures off the trail and into wilderness area, so be ready to use your compass!
Distance: 5.8 miles (round trip), 5.5 miles (loop)