Plans for this years Fall Hiking Weekend have been finalized. We will be returning to the northern Green Mountains of Vermont and staying just outside the resort village of Stowe, on October 23-25. Reviews from last year's weekend were good and it was decided to return for a second year.

Last years turnout was not great and perhaps that was due to the high fuel prices and tough economic times. I tried to economize wherever possible while retaining the traditions of past Fall Weekends. Hopefully we'll see many of you that could not make it last year.

This will be our sixth trip to VT. We generally rotate between the mountains of northern New England and the Adirondacks. In 1998-2000 we stayed a bit further south in the Mad River Valley/Waitsfield area*. Then in 2003 we stayed in Fairlee, VT (in the Upper Connecticut Valley) and hiked the Mount Moosilauke area of the White Mountains.

We will be staying within three miles of the Mount Mansfield trailhead. Mount Mansfield, at 4383 feet, is the tallest peak in Vermont. There are several other high peaks within 30-45 minutes of the motel. There are also many easier trails for those that prefer an easier pace.

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 18th at the latest. I have to stress that it would be much better if you can do it sooner rather than later. 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. I would appreciate it if you could drop me an email at fresmith@hughes.net when you have booked so that I can keep track of the number signed up.

As in past years, if you are single and need a roommate or want to share a ride up, drop me an email and we'll send it out on the club mailing list

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 23rd and Saturday, October 24th. As noted above, a continental breakfast is included. The rates listed below do not include the 10% hotel occupancy tax.

1.) One Queen Bed: $88 per night ($172 for the weekend), double occupancy

2.) Two Queens Beds: $100 per night ($200 for the weekend), double
occupancy, 3 people = $110 per night "for the room", 4 people = $120 per night

3.) Efficiency: $132 per night ($264 for the weekend), double occupancy, 3 = $142 per night,
4 people = $152 per night, 5 people = $162 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, it could be a good fit.

Cancellation without penalty must be made by October 8th at the latest. Cancellation after that date will result in a one night charge unless they can resell the room.

The package includes two nights accommodation and a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Boxed lunches can be pre-ordered for Saturday's hike (last year they were $10 each at the Edelweiss Deli next door to the motel). I will take your orders on Friday evening.

There will be no formal Saturday night dinner, however we found a nice restaurant nearby called The Shed Restaurant and Brewery and they will be able to accommodate us all. We'll decide on a common time to meet after the various hikes have been planned. You can read more about it at www.brewerymall.com/brewpubs/shed-brewery.html . In addition, there are many other restaurants and pubs in the area.

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).

On Sunday morning last year several of us used the 'free' bikes at the motel and rode into to the village on their great bike trail network. It is a beautifully graded paved bike trail with numerous bridges over small brooks and alternating forest and meadows.