Devil's Hill (Groton State Forest)
Distance: 1.96 miles
Elevation: 413 feet
Time: 47 minutes
Elevation: 413 feet
Time: 47 minutes
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: Northeast Kingdom Mountain Challenge
The Hike
The first hike of Labor Day weekend 2023! I was able to get out of work early to beat the traffic, which was lovely. My goal for this weekend was to finish the Northeast Kingdom Mountain Challenge (5 to go!) and start hiking the Vermont 5 (Vermont's 4000-footers). I took the loooooong drive through New Hampshire, stopping at my favorite rest stop (Hooksett) and driving through Franconia Notch (which will never cease to amaze me), eventually working my way to the single-lane apple-filled road that leads to the Devil's Hill trailhead. The final stretch of road was a doozy, but soon enough I made it to the parking area, which I shared with one other car, changed into my hiking clothes, and started my first of many hikes for the weekend.
It was a chilly afternoon at 61 degrees with hints of fall colors (apparently it had snowed on Mt. Washington last night), but best of all, it smelled like fall. I was a bit sore for my first few (hundred) steps from playing human-sized Hungry Hungry Hippos during our staff meeting, but otherwise I was feeling good. The first bit of trail follows a wide, not grassy road a respectable grade (somewhere between easy and moderate), passing a gate, and leading to the main trail split where the loop begins.
The junction was grassy, but well-signed and blazed - it looked like the whole trail had actually recently been re-blazed. There area few more junctions with snowmobile trails, but all were signed, blazed, or both. Eventually the Devil's Hill Trail leaves the road grade and begins to hike more moderately/steeply on a tradition rugged New England trail. Also, I think I heard a cow moo? It sounded wildly close to me, which was very confusing. Not sure if I'll ever know the answer!
I hiked the steeper push to the top, and was wowed with the stunning view to the right into Groton State Forest and the taller peaks of the Green Mountains behind. There was a family nearby off-trail watching the hawks fly in the air, and I appreciated how they tucked themselves in on a different ledge so other hikers could enjoy the view by themselves.
Continuing on, the second half of the loop was stunning, meanding through moss-filled forest with a soft, pine-needle ground. There was a small view out into the White Mountains that provided a really unique view of the Presidentials - specifically a shockingly clear view of Mt. Washington.
Now descending, the trail becomes more wet and rugged - I know the Groton State Forest recommends taking the loop in the direction I did, but I might recommend going up this way, since it was a bit sketchy. Many trees were wrapped on orange flagging tape labeled "water bar," and eventually I bottomed out back on dirt road/snowmobile trail, getting ready to finish the lollipop.
I could hear the family through the woods on the other side of the loop, so I picked up my pace and basically raced them to the "lollipop stem" (I won). The final stretch of the lollipop was wet and overgrown, which wasn't very pleasant. I think I would recommend this loop clockwise just to get the wetness over with right away. Thankfully, this bit wasn't too long, and soon enough I was back on the original road and getting down to my car to head to my next hike of the day - Big Deer Mountain! Hike #1 of the weekend, and #16 of the NEK Challenge = complete!
Step-by-Step
- Start hike at Devil's Hill Trailhead.
- Follow blue blazes up road.
- At trail split, continue right to follow loop counter-clockwise.
- Continue to follow blue blazes as trail continues, paying attention at junctions.
- Steeply and moderately climb to vista from Devil's Hill, continue on trail.
- After descending, continue to follow blue blazes, turning left onto gravel road.
- Continuing to follow blue blazes, rejoin original loop and follow trail back to car.
"Welcome to Groton State Forest" from Groton State Forest Summer Trails Guide
At more than 26,000 acres, Groton State Forest is the second largest contiguous land holding of the State of Vermont. This scenic and rugged area is known for its developed and dispersed recreation opportunities. Though only a half-hour drive from Barre, Montpelier, or St. Johnsbury, Groton State Forest retains a sense of wildness and supports a variety of wildlife, including black bear, moose, deer, grouse, mink, beaver, otter, fisher, loons, and herons. A variety of fish are found in the clear ponds and streams.
A year-round trail system connects most major points of interest. Peacham Bog Natural Area (748 acres) contains one of the larget bogs in Vermont, and is home to some interesting and unusual plants and animals. The summit of Owls Head Mountain, accessible by trail, or seasonal road that leads almost ot the top, offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding area.
The exposed bedrock found on mountain peaks here is granite, similar to that found in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The striations in this granite, and the boulders found throughout the forest, are evidence of glacial activity that occured more than 10,000 years ago. The glaciers scattered and scraped the landscape irregularly, leaving a rough topography with generally poor drainage.
The forest's cultural history is primarily one of intensive logging, beginning in 1873 with the opening of the Montpelier and Wells River Railroad that ran through the forest. By the mid 1920's most of the timber was cut, leading to the decline the railroad. Several forest fires, especially a severe one in 1903, changed the landscape from spruce, fir and pine to red maple and yellow nad white birch common today. The Civilian Conservation Corps, encamped near Osmore Pond in the 1930's, reforested some areas with plantations of pine and spruce. Today, Groton State Forest is being managed for multiple uses by the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation to provide sustainable recreation, wildlife, water, and wood products.
"Devil's Hill Trail" from Groton State Forest Summer Trails Guide
From Groton Village, travel north of Minard Hill Road to South Peacham. Turn left on Maple Tree Lane; go 0.7 mile. Turn left on Green Bay Loop Road, proceed 1.3 miles. Turn right on Devil's Hill Road. Parking is on right 1 mile in. Hik ethis loop counter-clockwise; it's easy until a 100-yard steep stretch just before the vista. Next half mile is moderate. Excellent views of Peacham Bog and other points west from the top.
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