HUNTINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Memorial Day weekend kicks off Vermont hiking season, so I hit the trails to see how people are stepping into warmer months.
From the views to the sounds, locals are excited to hit the trails.
“It’s really such a jewel,” said Sarah Sparks of Addison.
“It’s super easy for us to just get out here and climb,” said Madeleine Prosack of Colchester.
Some people traveled much farther to get here, like Hayden Stairs from Illinois.
“I’ve heard a lot of great things about this state, feel like it’s known for hiking, hiking capital of the world if you will,” Stairs said.
Vermont is one of the few states that closes a lot of trails in the early spring to protect them during mud season. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off statewide.
“There’s always folks that are all ready to get out there,” said Keegan Tierney, the director of field programs for the Green Mountain Club.
Tierney says more than 500 miles of trails that the Green Mountain Club maintains are open, but the floods last year have had an impact on the terrain and on the trees.
“I think what folks are going to find is that there might be a little more loose stuff on the trail, there might be some spots that are just washed away where the tread is completely gone, so just being aware you are going to run into that,” Tierney said.
He says that shouldn’t deter people from enjoying the trails but he reminds hikers to be prepared when they go.
“If you’re going out to summits, just expect weather change as you go up the hill and be prepared for that,” he said.
On Monday, folks hit the trails despite the soggy start.
Reporter Ike Bendavid: Is the rain going to stop you at all?
Trevor Henry/Colchester: No, I don’t think so.
“The summit was crazy– super, super windy,” Sparks said.
No matter the weather, it’s a hiker’s heaven.