This was a great trip! The cabins are pretty cool (literally & figuratively), sitting right on Wheeler Pond - no need for weather reports - just put your hand up to the windowsill to check the temps. Cute mice too.
On Wed. we broke trail on snowshoes right from the cabin to "Gnome Steps", a beautiful set of ledges in a nearby brook with excellent swimming hole options. A couple of brook crossings, gentle terrain for off trail exploration and abundant wildlife - beautiful. Was it a fisher cat that left only a few gray squirrel hairs in a pile near the brook? The mild weather and fresh powder inspired us to follow our visit to Gnome Steps with a climb up Moose Mt. (4 mile RT). Long range views of Wheeler Pond and the hills west of Barton before we ventured down and across the frozen pond on the return to the cabin.
Thurs. we journeyed over to Mt. Bellvedere in Lowell (3300 ish) and scrambled up for a 5.5 mile RT and more trail breaking on the Forester's Trail. Rugged going near the top as we searched for blazes (hidden by the Gnomes no doubt) amidst the snow piled spruce. Only a few hikers and one dog were lost to spruce traps (set by Gnomes we think). A few of the group scaled the icy steps of the fire tower for the view, which we're sure would have been great had it not been snowing and blowing. We're also certain there was a stunning sunset and brilliant moonrise on our easy descent. The early section of this trail would make for a wonderful out and back ski.
Fri. dawned with 3 inches of fresh powder so the skis finally came off the rack and we had a blissful 4 mile RT tour of the unmaintained section of Wheeler Pond Road, complete with side trip to a spring where Robert Frost is reportedly said to have written a poem about Wheeler Mtn., visible along most of the length of the tour. A brief stop in Lyndonville Center for a late lunch finished off a great 3 day experience.
I have a 2 night credit at the cabins if anyone wants to use it - email me off the boards at
rockgoddess58@hotmail.com if interested!