Vermont
Wildlife, Walking & Hiking in the Green Mountain State
Program No. 22619RJ
Explore the picturesque woodlands of Vermont on expert-led walks and hikes, and learn about fascinating local wildlife and history of the area.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals (
5B, 4L, 5D
)
1 expert-led lecture
8 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
West Dover
Meals:
D
Stay:
Gray Ghost Inn
Activity Note
Inn check-in from 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Welcome reception starts at 5:30 p.m. Meet your fellow attendees. Bring your own beer and wine to accompany the provided fruit and cheese platter.
Dinner:
In the Inn dining room.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Our instructor will lead the field trips and the Group Leader will join. On the first night, we will review the menu and select dinner entrées for the week. We will travel by school bus with trips typically under one hour unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Bishop Farmstead, Crosstown Trail
Location:
West Dover
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Gray Ghost Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a school bus; driving about 40 miles, approximately one hour roundtrip riding time. Hiking up to 3 miles throughout the day; gravel trails.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
We will board a school bus and ride to the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area for a hike through the forested preserve to the historic Bishop Farmstead. This 1770s colonial farmstead remains primarily as a complex of cellar holes we will spend some time exploring with our Instructor as we learn about early settlement in Vermont. The hike back to the parking area will focus on how Vermont has changed over the centuries and how that has impacted wildlife distribution. We will take special note of clues that still exist on the landscape that can tell us a great deal about what happened here in the past. We’ll ride back to the Inn after our field trip.
Lunch:
At the Inn.
Afternoon:
We will ride to the Crosstown Trail in Dover, Vermont, to look at a beaver pond or two. With many years of beaver activity at the site, there will be plenty of material to discuss. True environmental engineers, beavers are a recently recovered force in shaping Vermont with a variety of issues surrounding their return. We will be dropped off at the Mount Snow Golf Course, walk a mile past beaver ponds, and be picked up at the other end of the trail to return to the Inn.
Dinner:
At the Inn.
Evening:
At leisure. You might wish to enjoy our game room, watch TV, do puzzles, or play board games or cards.
Day
3
Putney Mountain, Wolves, Music
Location:
West Dover
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Gray Ghost Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a school bus; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1.5 hours roundtrip riding time. Hiking up to 2 miles throughout the day; gravel trails.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
We will ride the bus 45 minutes to Putney Mountain. There will be a 0.5-mile hike to the top with beautiful views and the possible viewing of birds in flight.
Lunch:
At the Inn.
Afternoon:
We will meet a local expert who is a member of Wolfgard Northeast, a not-for-profit organization devoted to protecting, teaching, and learning about wolves in the Northeast. Starting from the inn, we will take a short hike to explore through “the eyes of a predator.” Our expert will share a unique way of looking at the world around us and give us up-to-date news about the state of predator conservation and wolves.
Dinner:
At the Inn.
Evening:
We will be joined by a musical duo who will play guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, and sing songs for us.
Day
4
Green Mountain Forest, Hoot Toot & Whistle Trail History
Location:
West Dover
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Gray Ghost Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a school bus; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Hiking up to 5 miles; lake gravel trails.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
We will ride to Grout Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest for a leisurely 2.5-mile waterside hike through prime moose habitat. With our Group Leader, we will look at signs of moose activity and watch for the various waterside wildlife that use this area.
Lunch:
At the Inn.
Afternoon:
We will ride to historic Harriman Reservoir to join a local expert for a history of the Hoot Toot and Whistle Trail. Hiking along the lake, we will see remnants of the old Hoosac, Tunnel, and Wilmington Railroad; the current trail’s name was once a nickname locals bestowed upon the railroad.
Dinner:
At the Inn.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
So. Vermont Natural History Museum, Haystack, Birds of Prey
Location:
West Dover
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Gray Ghost Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a school bus; driving about 15 miles, approximately 30 minutes riding time. Hiking up to 4 miles throughout the day; uneven path up the mountain, some rocks and roots.
Breakfast:
At the Inn.
Morning:
We will board the school bus and take a short drive to the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum for an expert-led exploration. The museum features one of New England’s largest collections of native species along with ecology geology, natural history, and live animal exhibits.
Lunch:
At the inn.
Afternoon:
Road Scholars who are looking for a more challenging hike will have the opportunity to hike 4 miles roundtrip to the top of Haystack Mountain for some spectacular views of southern Vermont and a nice cross section of New England habitat types, accompanied by the Group Leader and Instructor. Those who prefer not to join this expedition are invited to take the MooVer public transport for an afternoon of exploring historic Wilmington, VT, or simply rest at the Inn.
Dinner:
At the Inn. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We will be joined by a representative from the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum for a live animal presentation including birds of prey. We’ll get a close-up look at these animals and learn about adaptations that make them unique. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
West Dover
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Inn check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the Inn. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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