High Point Trail at J. Maynard Miller Town Forest

The J. Maynard Miller Town Forest in Vernon is a 469 acre town forest that is " home to seven rare and uncommon plants and one rare animal." The trails throughout are extremely family friendly and provides hikers with an opportunity to experience the VT class one wetlands designation candidate - Black Gum Swamps.

Recreation Director, Seth Deyo contacted me recently and asked if I had hiked on the new High Point trail which has an elevation of 1150 feet.  Seth and his brother Ian have been clearing a vista on the .25 mile trail giving  hikers the chance to rise above the swamps for an impressive view of Mount Snow in Dover, VT.

If you go, there is plenty of trail head parking on Basin rd along with a place to pick up a trail map and read about the history and environmental significance of the area. Your hike begins at 910 feet with a choice of accessing the Yellow/ High Point trail by either the White tail loop to the right or the Red and White trail to the left.

Let's go for a hike shall we? -Norma Manning

Addendum by Seth Deyo: Jeff Nugent from the Windham Regional Commission has been our mapping/ GPS expert throughout the entire project including the High Point Trail (yellow trail).  As far as construction of that specific trail...The Recreation Department seasonal staff also played a big role.  There are a few trees left that are larger than my comfort level cutting.  As always the Highway Department has been kind enough to lend us a hand...

Quarts is commonly found along the trails

A seasonal stream on the Red and White trail

It's uncommon to find trees and brush across this family friendly trail

Ledge makes for interesting tree stands

Taking the white trail to the yellow at the junction

The edge of the upper swamp

The Yellow trail is the High Point Trail

Hikers will see forest at various stages of growth

The change in elevation from the parking lot to the high point is 240 ft

Picnic tables available at the high point - 1150 ft

On a clear day Mt Snow is visible

The Yellow trail above, the Blue trail to the right below