Area and Surroundings
Jay Peak Resort, VT
Jay Peak Resort is located in the Jay Peak range just 20 minutes from Elendil Mar. The average snowfall on the mountain is about 400 inches a year and the resort features an indoor ice skating rink, an indoor waterpark as well as both downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe tours, snowmobile rentals, and fat biking.
Jay State Forest
Jay State Forest has two main tracts, Black Falls and Big Jay which crosses four towns and two counties and encompasses approximately 7,951 acres.
Private Trails at Au Diable Vert, Canada
In order to hike these trails there is a fee. The daily pass is $5 and the yearly pass is $30, $50 for a family pass. There are 14 km of trails accessible from April until November on foot, and with snow shoes and skis in winter. The trails are clearly marked with times ranging from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the trail you choose.
Sutton Mountain Range Trail Network, Canada
The Sutton Mountains have 274 km of trails and are partnered with five trail partners. Dogs are STRICTLY prohibited on the trails.
Round top is the summit of Mont Sutton. At 968m or 3,820ft only Jay's Peak is taller in the area. The hike is about 6 hours for a round trip in the summer. In the winter, it depends on the snow conditions but is not recommended to be done in one day.
Lake Mohawk is a classic alpine lake, surrounded byt pine trees and rocks. The trail is steeper than the trails at Au Diable Vert and the hike is about 4 hours round trip in the summer. In the winter it is recommended to double that time.
Lamoille Valley Rail Trail
Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is New Englands longest rail trail.
Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail
Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail runs from St. Albans to Richford and passes by right behind the house.
**note on rail trails:
For safety and maintenance reasons, only non-motorized uses are permitted with the exception of snowmobiles, motorized wheelchairs, and maintenance vehicles. Motorbikes, ATV’s and ORV’s are not permitted on the trail. Vermont law prohibits the operation of snowmobiles on streets and highways.
Vermont Association of Snow Travelers
Vermont Association of Snow Travelers has an extensive network of snow mobile trails. The website allows for trip planning and has a list of clubs on it as well.
Memphremagog Trails
Memphremagog Trails are located in Derby on the other side of the mountain from Elendil Mar. They have fun winter events like Snowshoe Bingo and a Snow Sculpture Contest. There are a lot of summer activities as well.
Catamount Trail
Catamount Trail is both cross country ski trail in winter and hiking trail in the summer. It is also great for snowshoeing. Like the Long Trail it runs from southern Vermont to northern Vermont at the Canadian Border. Section 30 and 31 are near the house.
The Long Trail, VT
The Long Trail is known as Vermont's footpath in the wilderness with 166 miles of side trails and about 70 backcountry campsites, some with shelters. The Long Trail goes from southern Vermont to the Northern Canadian border, and the last part of the trail is a 15 minute drive from Elendil Mar. The main trail is marked by 2"x6" white blazes and side trails are blazed in blue.
Journey’s End Long Trail
Journey’s End is the last segment of The Long Trail. It is about a 15 minute drive from Elendil Mar and a short hike from the trail head to the Canadian Border.
Long Trail State Park
Long Trail State Park is incorrectly mapped on both google maps and on apple maps. The coordinates for the trail head and park are 44.8800644,-72.7893043,11 Both Babcock section of the Long Trail and Belvedere Mountain trailhead leave from this point. Clicking on the link will put you into google maps with the correct coordinates.
Outdoor Planetarium, Canada
The Dark Sky Preserve at Glen Sutton, QC, CA is a certfied Canadian Dark Sky Preserve. It is home to a unique high-tech outdoor stargazing show which utilizes augmented-reality headsets. The National Geographic ObservEtoiles is in a naturual amphitheatre near Mont Sutton, at an altitude of 1,000 feet and complete with heated seats. They have an astronomer on stage every show and tickets sell out quickly. The presentation is in French but the galaxy has a language of its own. You do get to take the headset home and you can download the show's app. The Preserve is open from June until the first few weeks of October.
Maple Sugaring, Vermont
Vermont is known for its maple syrup. A trip to a working Maple Farm where it is possible see how Maple Syrup is made. Maple Open House at the Carman Brook Farm which is about a 30 minute drive away will take you to a fifth generation family owned farm. As of 2018 they no longer have dairy cows, but they have plenty of maple products.
Bicycle Through The TreeTops, Canada
VeloVolant is a unique, innovative and ecological way to soar through the trees. It is a suspended recumbent bicycle which will only go as fast as you pedal. The circuit is 1,000 meters or 3,000 feet. Not recommended for people who are scared of heights. The maximum weight is 220 pounds or 100 kgs.
Covered Bridges, Vermont
Covered bridges flourished in the USA in the 19th century. Vermont has the highest density of covered bridges and to date still has over 100 covered bridges in the state. In nearby Montgomery, there are currently six covered bridges:
Fuller Covered Bridge (1890) on Fuller Bridge Road
Creamery Covered Bridge (1883) go 2.6 miles on West Hil Road then left on Creamery Bridge Road. Note: West Hill Road and Hill West Road are different roads!
Comstock Covered Bridge (1883) on Comstock Bridge Road
Hutchins Covered Bridge (1883) on Hutchins Bridge Road
Longley Covered Bridge (1863) on Rte 118 and Longley Bridge Road
Hopkins Covered Bridge (1875) on Rte 118 and Hopkins Road
Monastary, Canada
Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac is a community of 30 monks living according to the Rule of St. Benedict. People are always welcome to liturgical celebrations and mass. In addition to the religious aspect, there are also products made at the abbey which are unique to this abbey. They make their own cheese, and cider as well as apple butter and various jams. There are a variety of CDs and musical repertoire also available in the shop. The grounds are vast but visitors are not allowed in many areas. Guided tours are offered.
Spiritual Walking, Canada
Circuit de l'Abbaye is an organization which offers a spiritual approach to walking. There are 152 km of walking on quiet country lanes and there is a section that goes through Abbaye de Saint-Benoit-du-Lac.
