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Warm weekend includes a walk up less snowy Smugglers' Notch road

Posted Sunday, November 17, 2013
— Smugglers' Notch, Fall & early season, Cross-country skiing, Rikert

A walk up to the notch from the Jeffersonville side included icy waterfalls.

We started on dry pavement.

A few brave skiers walked up to ice/snow to skate.

In the shade at the very top there were pockets of snow.

A view of Mt. Mansfield on Saturday from a sailboat.

We’re so glad that we took advantage of the fresh snow and cold temperatures earlier this week to go cross-country skiing on the road through Smugglers’ Notch. We went up there again today — this time from the Jeffersonville side of the notch — and a lot of snow had melted.

We walked up this time and started on dry pavement, then hit slushy ice, then only at the top of the notch did we find areas of deeper snow in shady spots. Oh well, it is November! It was a cool walk just the same. At the top the strong wind was blowing fog through the trees.

A few cross-country skiers had walked up to the snow line and were skate skiing. Most people were just taking a walk during this windy day.

Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton, Vt., opened Saturday due to snowmaking. It’s unclear if they will remain open this week or weekend.

On Saturday, we got a view of Mt. Mansfield from Lake Champlain as we participated in sailboat races. It was rather balmy.

We’re looking forward to dropping temperatures this week! More ski resorts are slated to open on Saturday (<link http: www.skimaven.com post when-do-vermont-ski-resorts-open-1 external-link-new-window>check the post on ski area openings in Vermont).

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