Trip Description

The Mount Mansfield State Forest Tour:

Little River State Park in Waterbury Vermont

This is my favorite trip located in the Southeast portion of the Mansfield State Forest . We enter Little River State Park campground along the Waterbury reservoir. And take a tour around the camping area. We then proceed onto an historical road into a farming homestead community last occupied about 100 years ago. We past many rock walls, old foundations and cemeteries, which fosters images of days gone by. There is always possibilities of wildlife encounters with deer, moose, foxes, ground birds and hopefully not porcupines – that's another story. This trip is a 6 to 7 mile journey, with the opportunities for extended tours of up to 25 miles.

Preparing for your Trip:

This is a winter sport, so you need to dress for your comfort level depending on temperature and other weather conditions. You will be mainly in a non-active role (sitting or standing), so coldness can creep in. Seated passengers will be inside a sled bag with blankets

Remember layers are your most import consideration. Start with good thermal underwear, then other thin layers close to the skin – consider a turtleneck as one of these layers. Bulkier layers like heavier shirts, fleece and sweaters and finally an excellent shell. You should avoid cotton next to the skin. Add a layer for each drop of 10 degree below your comfort level. Three to four layers on top and two to three on the bottom should be adequate.

Footwear should start with a liner sock and a bulkier sock, then top quality winter boot – sneakers are not appropriate . Gators or overshoes are excellent additions to keep snow out and additional layering. Most cold creeps in through the feet, so any additional insoles will help.

Don't forget the accessories, liner gloves, mittens, neck gators, scarf, hats, headbands, hood, etc. Don't worry about your hair, the dogs don't mine hat hair.

As a final effort to stay warm, heat packs for hands, feet and internal pockets are very helpful. Also bring a thermos of warm drink. Of course movement is the best way to stay warm, so I can have you run up the hills with the dogs and driver.