SUMMARY:

Come celebrate Cinco De Mayo au natural in the first of the season naked hike in southern Vermont!  Plans are to hike a 2.5 mile stretch of the lower section of the West River Trail in Dummerston/Brattleboro.  The trail is an in and out for a total of 5 mile and is rated easy to allow everyone to get reacclimated to the outdoors for longer and more strenuous hikes later in the season.  The trail follows the east bank of the West River, so has western and southern exposures to maximize sunshine and warmth for this time of year.  We will stop for lunch along the river at the Riverstone Preserve. After lunch, we will hike the 2.5 miles back to the starting point.  As an alternative, depending on the outside temperature and the groups desires, we could hike the Black Mountain Trail, a 4-5 mile loop rated as moderate that would take us to the top of Black Mountain where there is a horseshoe ridge where there are views as far as New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock, and into the West River and Connecticut River valleys. After the hike, we will gather at the Marina Restaurant in Brattleboro for appetizers and/or dinner either on the deck or in the restaurant depending on conditions, as we recap the day and make plans for the next hike.  Due to limited parking at the trail head, we will meet at the large parking area on route 30 in West Dummerston at the covered bridge and then carpool to the trailhead.  This will allow us to make any adjustments to the day’s itinerary depending on the desires of the participants.

Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

Take exit #3 on Route #91 and head east toward downtown Brattleboro.  From downtown, take Rte #5 north a sort distance and then take Rte #30 north.  Follow Rte #30 approximately 6.2 miles to the Covered Bridge in West Dummerston, the bridge and parking area will be on the left.  We will meet at 10:30 am and carpool to the trailhead with the hike starting at approximately 11:00 am,