Haystack Mountain (North Pawlet Hills Natural Area)
Above is the full name of the preserve, but it is well known by the name of the mountain climbed, Haystack Mountain. 01-15.2021
Sony A7R2, 24-105mm f4.0.
Haystack Mountain preserve is a 5 mile up and down hike on property owned and preserved by the Nature Conservation. The preserve is 43 miles south on Rte 30 from Middlebury, about an 1:30 drive. While the hike is considered moderate, the final leg to the summit is quite steep. This day, the ground was snow covered, the temperature at the start was an unseasonably warm 40°, while the treeless summit was cold and windy. We really needed the microspikes today because the packed snow was slick and parts of the trail were icy. It’s a beautiful hike and other hikers we met noted the preserve is especially lovely in spring with abundant wildflowers.
The first segment of the hike is along a narrow road with a farm east and to the right. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 24-105mm f4.0.
Haystack Mountain is shown here in the background on the left side of this wonderful snag. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 12-24mm f4.0.
There are a lot of old trees in the woods along the trail and Barbara is at the base of a large white oak. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 12-24mm f4.0.
Icicles. The mountain is steep here and going off trail to reach the vantage point here, I found the footing very slippery because of the deep piles of leaves hidden under the snow. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 12-24mm, f4.0.
Near the top of the summit is a forest that has been undisturbed for a long time, 200 years or more, with the characteristic old trees, snags and broken canopy. For some reason, I crave being in these now rare sections of old forest. I’m still working to articulate the sensations of being in them. I can say that I slow way down and enter a sense of meditative-like calm. I am, of course, concerned about the impact that climate change will have on forests, but especially on the few remaining old growth forests still remaining here in Vermont. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 12-24mm f4.0.
A second view of the old forest just below the summit. 01-15-2021.
Sont A7R2, 12-24 f4.0
Barbara has reached the bare summit of Haystack Mountain, here in the Taconic Range. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 12-24mm f4.0 @ 24mm, f8.0.
Barbara at the summit of the 1860’ peak of Haystack Mountain. While the Taconic Mountains in Vermont considerably lower the state’s Green Mountains, the unimpeded view here is arguably better for being lower and nearer the valley.
Barbara has a backpack with a 2.5 liter water bladder, and today she carried food, safety gear, and chemical hand warmers. Barbara almost always uses hiking poles; hers have an elastomer that provides wrist cushioning. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 24-105mm f4.0.
From the summit of Haystack Mountain, Vermont. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 24-105mm f4.0
The summit has a spectacular 360° panoramic view. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 24-105 f4.0
Home in forest clearing. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 24-105mm f4.0.
The valley echoed from the amazingly loud lowing of the large bull in a herd intent on reaching the ton bale being delivered by the farmer. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 24-105mm f4.0 @ 105mm f8.0.
Barn and mountain setting adjacent to the trail to Hatstack Mountain. 01-15-2021
Sony A7R2, 24-105mm f4.0
