Ringing in the New Year
The
Resolution
Along our Geocaching journeys we often meet people who play the
game most of the year but stop during the winter months. Why? It is
by far the best time to get out and see some wonderful scenes.
There are no bugs; bushwhacking is non-existent, just go where you
want, with no foliage it is easy! If you are cold, put on another
layer! And a snowy trail among the snow-covered trees is so quiet
and peaceful.
Maybe you don’t have to make a New Year’s Resolution, but perhaps
think about getting some snow shoes and on the next sunny winter
day, take a long walk or go for a mountain hike and see that winter
really is a great time to be outdoors.
This cache is to provide you with a fantastic destination (winter
or summer). The Pinnacle has a bald open summit from which you can
see the Green Mountains to the West (including Camel’s Hump, the
Bolton Range, the Nebraska Notch, Mt. Mansfield and the Sterling
Mountain Range) and the Worcester Range. You’ll see Hogback
Mountain. to the Southeast, which you can get to via the Hogback
Trail.
We made our hike up Stowe Pinnacle this New Year’s Eve, a somewhat
new tradition we have since Geocaching. The QKids pulled their
sleds (almost all the way) to the top and had a great time sledding
down. There wasn’t that much snow this year, so it was a bit bumpy.
As we were climbing the mountain, we got to see the early fireworks
down in the village.
Although it was a full moon (a blue moon as a matter of fact) the
clouds kept it hidden, but the light snow falling made for a great
wintry touch. Once we reached the summit we retreated a few feet
back into the woods where we celebrated the New Year with some
sparkling grape juice! Then into the sleds for a long ride
down!
Sliding into 2010
Yesterday when we were returning from a cross country ski at
Craftsbury and enjoying the wonderful scenes of the white mountain
tops backed by a beautiful blue sky, QGirl said "It sure would be
great to be on top of something today". Yes honey, it would
indeed!
Give it a shot and you may find winter really is the best time to
get out and hike!
About The
Cache
The cache is a small 2-cup square lock-n-lock on the Stowe Pinnacle
trail. The cache is about a tenth of a mile below the pinnacle
summit. Please don’t go all this way and not visit the summit.
Remember, that’s why we brought you here!
From parking which is on Upper Hollow Road at N44 26.322 W72 40.052
the summit is 1.5 miles. The elevation gain is a 1,500 feet, with a
couple of steep parts, but the final ascent to the summit is
gradual and very pleasant.