Capturing the Moment

  The beautiful Fall colors started even before I got to the Stowe pinnacle parking area. The hike up through the hardwood forest was like walking through a kaleidoscope landscape. The morning sun burned off the early mist, and the view from the top was truly awe inspiring. According to my All Trails app, the complete hike was 3.47 miles with a 1,063ft elevation gain. It only took me 1hr, although I did spend some time at the summit flying my drone. Soaking in peaceful, Fall vibes. Luckily the Stowe Land Trust saved a bunch of this land from development. I wanted to see what the hike looked like with all the Fall colors. It did not disappoint. Fall Colors ahead! Another hiker, lost in the colors. Heading higher in the forest. Almost there. I am about to leave the colorful forest behind, and enter a high elevation evergreen forest. Get ready for a couple of steep sections shortly after this sign. A tunnel of trees, with colorful leaves above and below. Some trees stand above the res...

  Standing on top of Stowe Pinnacle with amazing panoramic views. Climbing the Stowe Pinnacle Trail from Pinnacle Meadows offers a quintessential Vermont hiking experience, filled with scenic beauty and a rewarding summit view. The trailhead at Pinnacle Meadows provided ample parking and a gentle introduction to the hike with well-maintained paths and lush greenery. As I began my ascent, the trail winded through a dense forest of maple, birch, and beech trees, creating a cool and shaded environment that is particularly refreshing on a warm summer day. The chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves underfoot accompanied me as I navigated the moderately steep incline, which became more challenging as I gained elevation. As I approached the summit, the trees began to thin, and the rocky outcrops of the Stowe Pinnacle came into view. The final stretch required a bit of scrambling over rocks, but the effort was well worth it. Upon reaching the summit, I was greeted with a breathtaking p...

  I was looking to do a bit of exploration today with my little hiking buddy (my 1.5 year old daughter.) I had heard several things about how good the view was from the Stowe Pinnacle hike, and stumbled upon the trailhead a few weeks ago, so that is where we headed. Dela and me are all smiles as we start out our exploratory hike at the Stowe Pinnacle Trail. It turns out there are two starting points. We chose the Pinnacle Meadows option as it was the first that we saw signs for. A section of the forest had been cleared, high above the town of Stowe for developement, but luckily the Stowe Land Trust swooped in, bought the land, and it has stayed a beautiful meadow ever since. A marker recognizing all those who helped fund the purchase and preservation of this land. I'm so glad it isn't another series of condos. The trail enters the forest past the meadow and eventually meets up with the Stowe Pinnacle Trail, coming up from the second trailhead. From here the trail starts to head...