Plans for this years Fall Hiking Weekend have been finalized. We will be traveling to the northern Green Mountains of Vermont and staying just outside the resort village of Stowe, on October 24-26. This will be our first trip to Vermont since 2003 and the first time in the Green Mountains since 2000 when we stayed a bit further south in the Mad River Valley/Waitsfield area*. We will be staying within three miles of the Mount Mansfield trailhead. Mount Manfield, at 4383 feet, is the tallest peak in Vermont.

*See list of previous weekends below.

The plan this year was to place primary emphasis on the hiking and look for a clean and reasonable motel or inn within close proximity to some good peaks. Given the rise in fuel prices I felt that we needed to economize in order to attract a nice sized crowd for the annual weekend. As it turns out, I think that I have found a very nice place and it is centrally located to several good mountains. The package includes two nights accomodation and a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Boxed lunches can be pre-ordered for Saturday's hike (most likely about $10 each - details to be worked out with a nearby deli). We decided to forgo the formal dinner on Saturday night, but hope to scout out some restaurants on Friday and get most of the group together on Saturday evening. There will be no shortage of places to eat in the vicinity of Stowe.

We will be staying at the "Stowe Motel and Snowdrift." You can visit their website at www.stowemotel.com . In addition to their excellent proximity to the hiking trails, they offer continental breakfast, free use of mountain bikes (bike trails link to the motel property), a tennis court, a heated outdoor jacuzzi and a game room. The rooms are equipped with cable tv.

The hotel has set aside a block of rooms for the Rip Van Winkle Hikers and we would ask that you book by Friday September 12th at the latest...sooner is obviously better. You can call the hotel directly at 1-800-829-7629 to reserve a room. Please tell the clerk that you are a member of the Rip Van Winkle Hikers. Please drop me an email at fresmith@hughes.net when you have booked so that we can keep track of the number signed up.

RATES:

The rate structure this year is per night, based upon double occupancy (two people in a room). Each additional person is $10 extra per night. The motel offers rooms with one queen bed, two queen beds and efficiencies with two queens plus a pull out sofa. These rates apply to the nights of Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th. As noted above, a continental breakfast is included. The rates listed below do not include the 10% hotel occupancy tax.

As noted above, a continental breakfast is included. The rates listed below do not include the 10% hotel occupancy tax.

1.) One Queen Bed: $82 per night ($164 for the weekend), double occupancy

2.) Two Queens Beds: $92 per night ($184 for the weekend), double occupancy, 3 people = $102 per night "for the room", 4 people = $112 per night

3.) Efficiency: $100 per night ($200 for the weekend), double occupancy, 3 = $110 per night, 4 people = $120 per night, 5 people = $130 per night*

* The owner wanted me to stress that the pull out sofa is not like having a regular bed, but for those that want to economize, an efficiency could be a good fit.

Cancellation without penalty must be made by October 9th at the latest. Cancellation after that date will result in a one night charge unless they can resell the room.

HIKES:

This year we have a choice of several major peaks within 30 to 45 minutes drive of the motel. Mount Mansfield is the tallest mountain in Vermont and offers a 360 degree view with the Adirondack High Peaks visible to the west and the White Mountains visible to the east. The trailhead from the notch (just three miles from the motel) is the most challenging ascent - at 2900 feet. It is also possible to take a road part way up the mountain and do a much smaller ascent. Other mountains in the area include Camel's Hump (4080'), Mount Ellen (4083'), Mount Abraham (4006'), Whiteface Mountain (just across the notch from Mansfield at 3715') and Jay Peak (toward the Canadian border at 3861'). There are numerous lesser peaks (in the 2700-3500 foot range) for those that seek a less challenging hike and scenic easier trails for the novice group. I'll send more information on hike 'possibilities' as the weekend approaches. We generally get together on Friday evening and make the final decision on hike locations.

AREA ATTRACTIONS:

Being in the resort village of Stowe, we have a wide choice of alternate activities should you choose not to hike or if the weather should be inclement. A glance at the latest AAA guide lists 19 restaurants (of all price ranges and cuisines). For those that want to take the 'easy way' up the mountain, there is the Stowe Auto Toll Road, which takes you to the 3600 foot level. The Stowe area has an active arts and entertainment scene. The village boasts many shops and galleries as well as a cinema multiplex. There are several golf courses in the area. The Stowe Recreation Path is a 5.5 mile nature path that leads from the village north toward Mount Mansfield. Other nearby attractions include the famous Ben and Jerry's Factory (tours) in Waterbury and the City of Burlington (on Lake Champlain).