Exploring New England's Parks: Vermont

This week we're exploring New England's National Park properties in honor of National Park week. Be sure to check out our previous posts on Maine and New Hampshire! Now, let's explore Vermont!

Vermont:

Appalachian National scenic trail
(CT,GA,MA,MD,ME,NC,NH,NJ,NY,PA,TN,VA,VT,WV)

Traversing through Vermont, the Appalachian Trail covers about 150 miles of some of Vermont's finest landscapes! Vermont's section of the AT "passes through high, rugged country with woods and overgrown farmlands. From "Maine Junction" (near U.S. 4) south, the A.T. follows about one hundred miles of the famed “Long Trail” along the rugged crest of the Green Mountains.

The Trail approaches treeline at Killington and Stratton mountains, and parts feature strenuous ascents. But, in general, Vermont hiking crosses varied terrain, at lower to mid-range elevations with a fair amount of elevation gain and loss" (source: appalachiantrail.org).

Terrain varies from white pine and birch forests to rural farmlands and mountainous landscapes - offering the AT hiker a visually enjoyable, yet difficult, (5-out-of-6 difficulty rating) trek.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic park

Located in Woodstock, Vermont, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Historic Park preserves the land where Frederick Billings established a managed forest and dairy farm. The name is in honor of Billings and the farms additional owners, George Perkins Marsh, Mary Montagu Billings French, Laurance Rockefeller, and Mary French Rockefeller. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion was originally built in 1805. It was sold to Frederick Billings in 1869, at which point major renovations to the home and property began. The house was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1967.