Summer Solstice Hike
The solstice falls on Sunday, June 21, in 2026, which creates an opportunity to make an entire weekend out of it with a hike on Saturday, June 20, as well. The hikes will all be clothing-optional. Note that nudity in the woods is not illegal in Vermont, though for the sake of good manners it may be advisable to cover up temporarily if another group of hikers so requests. So far, we have been lucky with the weather almost every year, but of course foul weather could cause any of the hikes described below to be cancelled.
Several of us plan to camp at Emerald Lake State Park, about a 20-minute drive from the meeting point for the hikes. As last year, I have reserved the Willow Lean-to in the State Park. This year we will have it for three nights — June 19, 20, and 21. Everyone is welcome to join us around the campfire at the Willow beginning around 8 p.m. (or maybe a little earlier) on each of those three evenings. Please bring your own camp chair. Camping reservations at Emerald Lake (fees charged) can be made at https://vtstateparks-visit.com. No-fee camping is also available for backpackers at the Big Branch shelter on the AT/Long Trail, about 1.2 miles south of the Forest Road 10 meeting point for the solstice hike.
Before arriving at Emerald Lake State Park, some of us are tentatively planning to be at The Ledges (Harrison Reservoir) in southern Vermont for a picnic lunch at about 1 p.m. on Friday, June 19. (Weather permitting). Bring your own lunch. I will plant a very small red flag where we set ourselves up for lunch. Come by and say "hi."
Dan Q has offered to lead the hike on Saturday, June 20. It will begin and end at the Appalachian Trail parking lot on Forest Road 10 about three miles east of the junction of Route 7 and Brooklyn Road in Danby, Vermont. It will depart the parking lot at 9 a.m. — please arrive between 8:30 & 9 — and follow the Green Mountain Trail, whose trailhead is a short walk west down Forest Road 10. The Green Mountain Trail rises steadily about 1,200 feet to the summit of Green Mountain, just to the west of Little Rock Pond, which offers views (though not of the pond) and rocks for sunning while eating a picnic lunch. From there, the trail descends very steeply to the northern end of Little Rock Pond. After joining the Appalachian Trail at that point, the loop continues to the area at the south end of Little Rock Pond where we traditionally skinny-dip. Continuing two miles south down the Appalachian Trail brings you back to the parking lot on Forest Road 10 by late afternoon. The total distance is about 7 miles. Note that the steep descent down to Little Rock Pond is challenging, requiring appropriate footwear and good physical condition. Bring water and lunch. This map shows the route. The parking area is at (2).
After the hike on June 21, weather-permitting, join us at Sam's Wood-fired Pizza, 4572 Main Street, Manchester, Vermont, for dinner. To avoid confusion, please expect to order your own pizza for yourself or your group. We will not be collecting for shared pizzas.
Hoping to see you all then.
— Milt
For the actual solstice on June 21, this year there will again be two options:
The longer hike will be the same one done in many previous years, and will start at 9 a.m. from the AT parking lot on Forest Road 10. Participants will carpool to the start of the hike at the AT parking lot on Vermont Rte. 140, 2.6 miles east of Wallingford VT. The hike is somewhat strenuous and will be approximately 10 miles long. After 8 miles, we will arrive at Little Rock Pond, again offering a skinny-dipping opportunity. The walk out to the Forest Road 10 parking lot is then just 2 miles long. Bring water and lunch.
A second option, led by Roy, will be available for those who want something shorter than 10 miles. It will depart from the parking lot on Forest Road 10 at 11 a.m. and will head north to Little Rock Pond. It will then proceed around the west shore of Little Rock Pond, and will include sunny skinny-dipping at the north end of the pond as well as one or two of the usual somewhat shady spots on the east side of the lake, where the group will meet up with the hikers from the longer option, before returning to the starting point on Forest Road 10. This option is about 5.25 miles long. Though shorter, please note that this trail involves crossing a stream on rocks, and is uneven in places with a lot of rocks and roots. Appropriate footwear required. There is also likely to be lots of poison ivy bordering the trail at the north end of the pond. Bring water and lunch.
(Of course, you can join the 11 a.m. hike, and then just wait for everyone at the Little Rock Pond Shelter area and avoid the hike around the lake. That option would amount to 4 miles round-trip.)
Note that the Forest Road 10 parking lot can get crowded on Sunday. If you find you must park along Forest Road 10, please park completely off the road to avoid the possibility of being towed.
Note also that the shore and entry points into Little Rock Pond are, well, rocky. Some may prefer to bring water shoes rather than try to negotiate that barefoot.
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