Belvidere Mountain (Long Trail State Forest)

Belvidere Mountain (Long Trail State Forest)

Distance: 6.47 miles
Elevation: 2,119 feet
Time: 4 hours, 48 minutes (4 hours, 6 minutes moving)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Northeast Kingdom Mountain Challenge, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike

It was Saturday of Labor Day weekend and the last thing either Emma or I wanted to do was to get up and go hiking, but my goal was to complete my Northeast Kingdom Mountain Challenge list this weekend, and I have the power to drag her down with me! We made the shockingly short drive from her new apartment, drove right past the parking area, turned around, got back to the parking area, suited up, and got started!

Like any adventure with the two of us, it started less than glamorously. We started our hike along (what we thought) was the grassy access road for the fire tower, which led to a wildly overgrown field and somebody's camp. Just when we were about to continue on whatever path we were on, I checked my AllTrail app and realized we weren't even on the Long Trail - just somebody's driveway... whoops! We backtracked to the trailhead, made unfortunate eye contact with another couple of hikers who took the correct trail, and then officially got our hike started after a 0.3 mile warm up! (On a side note, when looking at the USGS Topo Map, it looks like we were just about at an old route of the Long Trail during our mistake). 

Now on the actual Long Trail, we hiked through a beautiful low forest filled with mud and fungi, steadily and easily gaining elevation. The trail paralleled a stream in the lower portion that, if cleared, would have made for a very fun series of natural water slides. 

Further along, the trail begins to gain elevation in small bursts with walking breaks in between, which continued for most of the climb, but the steeper sections tended to increase. The woods never stooped being beautiful on this hike, but it also lacked any major landmarks or milestones. 

Eventually, the trail reaches a wet, flatish, slabby shoulder, and then climbs steeply again to what feels like a false summit and travels over flat and slippery terrain to the junction where the Long Trail diverges left, and a spur trail (possibly a continuation of the Forester's Trail) continues 0.2 mi. to the summit.

The summit trail continued to steadily gain elevation at a moderate level, and I did the thing where I get summit fever and learly go into cardiac arrest out of excitement. Thankfully, our efforts were soon paid off with the beautiful summit views toward the Whites and Jay Peak.

The tower, as expected, was spooky but super fun. The cabin was completely gone, but an observation flatform up top remained. It was especially fun for us to see the mountains around Lake Willoughby from a new vantage point - the mountains that got me started on this list!

Back down on stable earth, we took a nice long break and enjoyed our summit beverages, Fisher's Island Lemonade, while enjoying the views and eavesdropping on everyone elses's conversations. I was thrilled to find a USGS disc too!

The return trip started out slow with the steep areas and then got easier the further down we got. One exceptional moment was when we passed a family and did the classic pleasantry exchange "hey how's it going?" I responded with "we're good thank you!" and just as I did that, Emma loudly slipped and fell right onto her bum, so I echoed with "well... one of us good anyway," which truly just was the perfect comedic timing. We passed a few thru hikers, and before we knew it, we were back at the car and heading to Burlington for 1) a cheeseburger, 2) buy Emma some new boots and a water bladder, and 3) play the Charmander Community Day on Pokemon Go - oh, and to see a Soulja Boy concert (spoiler alert: he was bad)! Hike #3 of the weekend and #18 for the Northeast Kingdom Mountain Challenge = complete!

Step-By-Step

    - Park at Eden's Crossing Long Trail Parking.

    - Start hike on Long Trail (not along access road).

    - Follow long trail near the summit.

    - At jct., turn right onto spur trail to summit.

    - Summit Belvidere Mountain, retrace steps to car.

"Belvidere Mountain" from Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont, 6th Ed. (2011)

        Belvidere Mtn. is a gorgeous but challenging hike. The fire tower at the summit affords a dramatic 360-degree view. There are two common approach routes. One is to follow the LT north from Route 118 to Belvidere Saddle. The other approach is from the east, via the trailhead located at the end of Tillotson Road. From that trailhead, it is possible to hik eto the summit and make a 7.9-mile loop, ascending via the Forestry Trail and retuning by following the LT north from Belvidere Saddle to Tillotson Camp, and then descending the Frank Post Trail.

        The summit of Belvidere Mtn. features a fire tower maintained by the GMC. From the tower, the Green Mountains are visible south to Camel's Hump. Big Jay and Jay Peak are prominent to the north, and to their right stands Owl's Head and other Canadian Mountains in Quebec near Lake Memphremagog. On a clear day, the White Mountains are visible to the east. An inactive asbestor mine, once a mainstay of northern Vermont's economy, lies at the eastern base of the mountain, with another inactive mine on the south slope.

"Belvidere Mountain from the South" from Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont, 6th Ed. (2011)

        Start at the LT parking lot on the north side of Vt. 118. From the parking area (0.0, 1,320 ft.), follow the LT north around a gate and cross Frying Pan Brook (0.2). Climb steadily with some steep grades over ledges to Belvidere Saddle and the Forester's Trail (2.6). Turn right on the Forester's Trail and ascend to the main summit of Belvidere Mtn. and its fire tower (2.8 mi.., 3,360 ft.). Return via the same route, following the LT south from the saddle.

Photo Album