Stretch is in Vermont for a quick visit, but it’s not the best time of year to be hiking.  It’s stick season, when all the leaves have come off the trees.  I proposed a longer hiker, but with the temperature only reaching the mid-30s, Stretch couldn’t be convinced.  We decided to do some more touristy stops and short hikes instead, and see how the weather went.  It stayed chilly all day but the sun did come out.  Technically some of these walks are outside the Mad River Valley, but they’re all in a row along Routes 100 and 125 and make for some nice sightseeing.

Warren Falls

First stop, Warren Falls.  This waterfall in Warren is known as an excellent swimming hole, although of course we wouldn’t be swimming today.  We walked a short distance down along the river to see the cascades.  Maybe I will come back here in the summer to swim but I hear it gets very crowded.

Moss Glen Falls

Next up, Moss Glen Falls in Granville (different from the waterfall of the same name in Stowe).  This 35′ waterfall is right next to the road so I’ve seen it many times while driving by but never before stopped to get a closer look.  There is just a short trail and boardwalk out to the base of the falls.

Texas Falls and Nature Trail

Our final waterfall: Texas Falls in Hancock.  Part of the Green Mountain National Forest, these falls are not too far off of Route 125.  We took our time exploring the ravine that the brook had carved into and then headed off on the 1.2-mile loop Nature Trail.  The trail took us up the hill away from the falls but was still quite nice.

Robert Frost Interpretive Trail

This one was a surprise for Stretch.  When we’d been hiking on Massachusetts’ Robert Frost Trail in 2014 and decided to abandon the trek, we briefly considered driving up to Ripton, VT, to hike this Robert Frost Trail instead.  Of course, it was too far for a 1-mile hike, so we decided to visit Jenn instead.  But I had to bring Stretch there now that I live so close, and she was excited to finally thru hike a Robert Frost Trail.

It’s a very flat trail, partially wheelchair accessible, with lots of Frost’s poems posted throughout the walk.  Apparently at some point, Frost lived within a mile of the site.  It was a pleasant walk and we enjoyed all the poems along the way.

Silent Cliff

Heading back home again, we had time for one more stop.  The Long Trail north from Middlebury Gap leads just .8 mile up to a view at Silent Cliff in the Breadloaf Wilderness.

All in all, a nice little touristy day.  I hadn’t been to most of these spots myself.  Having a visitor is a great way to explore your own backyard.