Spruce Mountain (L.R. Jones State Forest)

Spruce Mountain (L.R. Jones State Forest)

Distance: 4.46 miles
Elevation: 1,171 feet
Time: 1 hour, 49 minutes

Hike Type: Out-and-Back

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Northeast Kingdom Mountain Challenge

The Hike

Last day of my weekend of Vermont and I was TIRED. Thankfully, I'm extremely externally motivated (thank you patches), and I also reminded myself I'll be fine once I'm in the woods, so I started my long journey home heading back near Groton State Forest, specifically to L. R. Jones State Forest, to hike Spruce Mountain, the second to last mountain I need for my NEK list! The drive from Fairfax to the trailhead was beautiful. Google did try to send me via "Dix Hill Road," which is a private road, but the owner made a sign to take the following left for Spruce, so it was no problem. I think the most intereting part of my drive was when I almost ran over somebody's pet goose-chicken-hybrid-creature.

The parking lot was big and there were about 10 other cars when I arrived, which made sense because it was in fact Labor Day. The trail begins at the L. R. Jones State Forest sign with an informational kiosk just beyond. The trail, on an old fire road descends slightly before making a very gradual ascent through the cool, humid air.

"The Hike to the Lookout: The trail climbs gradually through hardwood forests along an old fire road for approximately 1.1 miles. Past the junction with the Seyon Connector Trail, the remaining 1.1 mile of the trail is rockier, steeper climb to the summit. Winding up a series of granite benches, the trail rises through spruce, fir, and hardwood forests before reaching the summit of Spruce Mountain and the fire tower at 3,307 feet. The remains of the fire warden's cabin are visible nearby. There have been fire towers on Spruce Mountain since 1919. The current steel tower (one of seven in Vermont) was relocated here from Bellevue Hill near St. Albans in 1943." - from infromation kiosk at trailhead.

I caught myself accidentally power hiking when my hip started to act up. I was definitely looking forward to a few days off after this weekend to recover. The trail crosses two clearings, both of which had some biting insects, and then continues to easily climb with occasional moderate stretches, eventually reaching the junction with Darling Trail/Seyon Connector Trail (unclear as to why it has two different names).

The first mile only had about 1/3 of the total elevation gain, so I knew it was time to strap in after this junction. The trail continued along, passing a gorgeous peaver pond with one very red tree saying hello. The juxtaposition of the beautiful wildflower smell at the pond and my rancid, accidentally un-deodorized stench was absolutely incredible. 

The trail continues still with moderate gains, but much rockier and rougher footing. There was one small stream crossing and I had to fight through the pain of my back chafing. Finally at 1.5 is when the party got started, with the first bit of slab-hiking.

The slabs led to a switchback with a lovely, newly built set of stairs over a previous scramble. Following the stairs, the trail winds through a beautiful forest and steeply climbs slabs of varying wetness, getting steeper with each turn. I passed a few hikers on their way down with no packs, which makes me assume this is more of a locals-only hike. 

There was one remarkably steep push followed by a more moderate section, and I passed three hikers with a dog who decided to immediately start following me, which turned on my fight or flight and I fully power hiked from this point to the top. Some impresive huffing and puffing from me, if I do say so myself. 

"EAB Biocontrol Project: This location is being used as a release site for emerald ask borer biocontrol. Small pieces of wood containing the biocontrols are attached to ash trees. The parasitoid wasp that emerges is only 3-4 mm, is incapable of stinging humans, and only parasitizes EAB larvae. The statewide presence of biocontrol agents will help regulate EAB populations, which will in turn prolong the life of Vermont's ash tree." - from informational kiosk at trailhead.

There is one last steep uphill after a muddy walking break, and this was more rocky than slabby. The forest finally opens up near the top, filled with mossy rocks and tree trunks. The summit itself is wooded with hazy views off the ledge past the tower. The tower was cool and the cabin was mildly delapidated like the towers on Burke and Bald. The BUGS though were swarming hard up top, and they followed me down to the base of the tower. Similar flies that I met on South Moat last fall on a weirdly warm day. 

I didn't stay too long because I still had Owl's Head to hike, plus a 3+ hour drive home after that. I chatted with the group I passed for a bit and took a group photo of them and their dog before darting down the mountain. The descent was much easier than expected, even if the last mile felt like it took forever. The final few feet of uphill were absolutely cruel, but soon enough I was back! I was happy to notice the trail didn't feel as crowded as I expected, even with all the cars at the trailhead. NEK Mountain Challenge #19 = done! One more to go!

Your screen isn't dirty - its the bugs!

Step-By-Step

    - Park at Spruce Mountain trailhead.

    - Follow Spruce Mountain Trail to summit.

    - At fire tower, turn around and return to car.

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

        Located in the town of Plainfield, the summit of Spruce Mtn. (3,037 ft., USGS Barre East, Knox Mtn.) is the site of a preserved fire tower, from which there is a panoramic view of north central Vermont and western New Hampshire. The occasionally blue-blazed but obvious trail to the summit is partly in the L. R. Jones State Forest and partly in Groton State Forest.

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

        From the parking area, the trail passes through a set of gateposts before following a wide woods road southeast. It follows the old road on easy grades for some distance before beginning a gradual ascent, offering occasional views to the summit tower on the left. Gradually swinging east, the trail reaches teh end of the well-defined road at a clearing (1.0 mi.). Continuing straight ahead, it passes through several wet areas, where long-ago fire tower lookouts placed steepingstones and built up the footbed with gravel fill. The trail soon crosses a small stream bridged by a pair of cut logs (1.3 mi.) before continuing along more raised trail bed.

        Following a northeasterly course in deep woods, the trail begins a moderately steep climb (1.5 mi.), bearing nroth through spruce forset. Passing two large boulders split from the bedrock (1,6 mi.), the trail climbs somewhat less steeply over granite slabs for some distance. Resuming a steady ascent (1.9 mi.), it passes through a fern-filled clearing, then continues on easier grades to the summit and the tower (2.2 mi.). The cellar hole from the caretaker's cabin is nearby.

        Spruce Mtn. was first used as a fire lookout about 1919, when a summit trail, cabin, telephone line, and tower were built. In 1931, the original tower was replaced, then in 1943 to 1944, the tower from Bellevue Hill in St. Albans was transferred to the summit. The site was abandoned as a fire lookout in 1974. In 1994, the tower was placed on the National Historic Lookout Register.

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