Memorial Weekend at Mount Snow, VT

---

I think everybody loves the thought of a long weekend in the wilderness. Of being secluded with a group of good friends, surrounded by trees and privacy, yet with the amenities of being at home. Well that's what we did this Memorial Weekend of 2009. Epstein invited many of us up to his family's mountain house at Mount Snow for a weekend of partying and enjoying Vermont's outdoors. Things are exceedingly comfortable here with a large outdoor hot tub, two kitchens, satellite tv, a big pool table, and most importantly a giant trampoline.

With so many people up here, we each pick and choose how to spend our day. With many of the boys choosing to go golfing on Friday. Reitman, Hillary, Jacko and I chose to work up a sweat with a pleasant hike. We chose the Haystack Trail which was supposed to culminate in an ascent of Haystack mountain exposing surrounding views. But a mile into the trail we were turned back. As the trail reached and then winded around Haystack pond, the trail was washed out and impassable as the trail turned to sludge from rain and/or snow melt. Nevertheless, the trail was good fun, and it was highlighted by Reitman nearly shitting her pants as she came close to stepping on a snake. We succeeded in working up a light sweat as we spent an hour in the woods of Vermont.

After catching our breath and enjoying a few glasses of wine back at the house, we continued our day of exploration with a journey to Pike's Falls. About a 20 minute drive from the house at Mount Snow, Pike's Falls is a small swimhole at the base of a small falls that glide over a roughly 15' boulder face. By the time we got there, none of us felt the need to cool off in the waters, but having come this far we felt compelled to jump in, if only briefly. And brief it was. We each hopped in and shuttered as the frigid waters stole our collective breaths, yet refreshed our spirits.

The adventurous spirit did not fade with a night of drinking and sleep. After a slow morning on Saturday, all but the golfers gathered to head to Mount Snow and ascend its rounded peak. Of course this is no serious climb, but challenging uphill jaunt nonetheless and with rewarding views at the top. After an hour of huffing and puffing and fighting the relentless mosquitoes, we made it to the top of Mount Snow. A breeze provided relief from the bugs and we enjoyed distant mountain and reservoir views. Beautiful indeed.

With two days of adventures under our belts, we felt justified in being lazy for the remaining day and a half in Vermont. Our days consisted of the following: hot tubbing, playing cards, playing pool, playing a par 3 course around the house, throwing a disc, playing whiffle ball, jumping on a trampoline, watching basketball, and lots of beer, whiskey and wine drinking. The nights followed suit with the exception of the outdoor activities. It was a great Memorial Weekend in Vermont.

---

Photos

Pike's Falls
Icey cold but we took a memorial dip anyway.

Group shot for our hike
Me, HIllary, Jacko, Reitman

Comments

[Bob]

It doesn't look scary to me.
Probably someone's seasonal getaway.