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September 29, 2011
Hunting season is fast approaching and trail users may encounter hunters while on the Preserve. Please be advised that hunting is allowed in the Equinox Preserve on holdings above 1300 ft.
This corresponds to areas above the following landmarks: bridge on Trillium, spring house on Trout Lily and intersection of Red Gate and the Blue Summit trails.
Hunting is allowed with permission in neighboring properties owned by The Nature Conservancy. Contact Emily Siefert, TNC Stewardship Manager, at 802-229-4425 x119.
In an effort to limit the impacts of deer herbivory on rare plants on the Preserve, the 2006 Recreation Management Plan for the Preserve approved by the Equinox Resort and easement holders the Vermont Land Trust and The Vermont chapter of The Nature Conservancy, allows hunting on holdings above 1300 feet.
Take the following precautions while using the trail system during hunting season:
- Please wear bright colored clothing
- Dogs should wear bright vests and be kept in close proximity to the trails
2011 Vermont Deer Hunting Seasons
- Archery: Oct 1-23 and Dec 3-11
- Youth: Nov 5-6
- Rifle Buck Season: Nov 12-27
- Muzzleloader: Dec 3-11
Other-
- Turkey: Oct 22-Nov 6 (WMU ‘N’)
- Gray Squirrel: Sept 1-Dec 31
- Ruffed Grouse: Sept 24-Oct 31
- Rabbit: Sept 24-March 11, 2012
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September 20, 2011
It is still not too late to enjoy the rich colors of the wildflowers on the Preserve before the tapestry of fall descends. The changing fall foliage often overshadows the bright colors of the herbaceous layer. White snakeroot, fleabanes, goldenrods and a variety of asters, including the purple New England aster, are all in full bloom in the field by the Black Gate and along the Red Gate trail as well as on the fringes of many of the other trails.
 white snakeroot White snakeroot flowers have a distinctive fuzziness. The leaves are oval and toothed in opposite pairs. This plant is closely related to boneset (white) and Joe-Pye weed (purple-pink), all blooming in late summer and early fall. A bit of trivia: white snakeroot is toxic to cows.
 doll's eyes In addition to the colorful flowers, some plants that put out flowers in the early spring are now showing the fruits. Bright red berries from the jack-in-the-pulpit can be observed along many of the trails, as can the white berries of the Doll’s Eyes or White baneberry. The photo only gives a vague idea of the resemblance to a porcelain doll’s eyes, you’ll have to observe them in person.
Take a walk today and enjoy the opportunity to see the pinks, purples and whites of the remaining wildflowers before the reds, yellows and oranges of the fall foliage take center stage. Enjoy your time on the Preserve.
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September 7, 2011
A section of the Red Gate trail is now closed due to flooding. Due to the recent heavy rainfall, the stream flowing down the mountain from the Upper Spring has been running at a higher than normal volume. The volume of water has exceeded the capacity of the culvert under the Red Gate trail, and has partially filled the culvert with debris. To help maintain the integrity of the trail hikers can detour around the flooded section using the Snicket and extension of the Mt Bluff trails. All other trails remain open.
 
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September 3, 2011
All trails are now clear of fallen trees and limbs, with the exception of one rather large oak tree down on the Maidenhair trail. The summit trail is clear up to the Maidenhair Trail, beyond that hikers are reporting scattered fallen trees and limbs, but passable.
Each trail had at least one tree down, with the exception of the Trout Lily trail. Interestingly, the majority of the downed trees were white ash. It also seems to be a heavy mast year for white ash on the Preserve and perhaps that additional weight somehow contributed to the number of fallen trees.
Enjoy the trails and have a fine holiday weekend
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