Vermont Huts & Trails And Velomont

By Gary Moore

Want to spend time in a cabin in Vermont? Vermont Huts & Trails, https://vermonthuts.org/, currently has 19 available from Sutton and Bloomfield in the north to Stratton in the south for rent. Much like a BNB operation, Vermont Huts & Trails owns some and manages others owned by organizations or by private owners.

I first heard about Vermont Huts & Trails during the legislative session when I attended an event hosted by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance. I was intrigued by the offerings and decided I needed to learn more. As a result, I interviewed cofounder and executive director RJ Thompson for my program on WYKR.

He said, “Ten years ago we set out to build a hut.” It has grown rapidly from there to the current 19 available and more in the works including a hostel in Randolph.

July 12, 2016 a group met at the Green Mountain Club to talk about connecting huts and trails into some sort of network. It was decided that a new standalone organizations needed to take charge and that is now Vermont Huts & Trails.

We talked about the various huts and cabins for rent and how nice it is to get away from the more commercial operations for some quiet time.

RJ then told me about the Vermont Huts & Trails effort, in collaboration with other organizations, to create a 485-mile multi-use trail known as the Velomont that will span the length of Vermont.

RJ pointed out that Velomont is a combination of the words bike and Vermont.

Mountain bike enthusiasts have been working for years on the trail that when finished, will knit together existing trail networks, connect 27 communities, and include 30 new huts and five downtown hostels for overnight stays.

New trail construction is now ramping up after years spent on permits, plans and public input.

RJ said the trail is, “intentionally routed onto Vermont’s towns and villages to bring business to them.” The idea is for trail users to come off the trail and enjoy a meal or even a night in one of the towns before resuming their journey.

Organizers say they're focused on ensuring the Velomont is accessible for everyone.

“For us, it’s not a huge lift to just be mindful when we’re trying to build trail or improve trail to think about the adaptive rider,” said Angus McCusker, the Velomont trail director with Vermont Huts and Trails.

“The challenge,” he said, “is we’re connecting to existing trail networks that were never intended for adaptive bikes. So, where we can, we’re trying to do adaptive assessments.”

This summer, contractors are turning an old office building near the trail in downtown Randolph into an ADA accessible hostel. Also two remote huts along the trail in Stratton and Chittenden will have locked sheds with off-road wheelchairs so bikers don’t have to haul their own.

I asked about connecting to the Kingdom Trails Association network. RJ said that once they reach Hyde Park or Morrisville the plan is to head east on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail to St. Johnsbury and then north.

The typical hut is off the grid with no running water. They have either wood or propane for heat so they are good for winter use.

Throughout or conversation RJ repeatedly emphasized what they are offering is family friendly. The hope is to get more people to take time to get away from electronic devices, relax, and enjoy some quiet time in this wonderful place we call home.

For more information about Vermont Huts & Trails, go to: https://vermonthuts.org/.

To listen to my interview, go to: https://www.wykr.com/hut-adventures-and-lavender-yes-please and for the podcast: https://outdooredge.podbean.com/.

Vermont Proposes Changes To Bear Regs

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold two public hearings on proposed changes to Vermont’s bear hunting regulations.

The changes proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Board would eliminate the consecutive "early" and "late" seasons to create one bear season extending from September 1 through the last day of the regulated deer seasons.

The proposed rule would require the purchase of a bear tag to take a bear during the bear season. The bear hounding season would extend from September 1 for Vermont residents and September 15 for nonresidents, through the second Sunday after the start of regular November deer season. The proposed changes would allow a second bear tag in annually specified Wildlife Management Units and prohibit the intentional taking of a sow bear accompanied by a cub or cubs.

Two public hearings have been scheduled to solicit input on the proposed rule changes:

August 24 at 6:30 p.m., at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1265 Main Street, St. Johnsbury. This meeting has a hybrid option. To join the meeting remotely, use the link on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website under Board Rules.

August 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Bennington Elks Lodge, 125 Washington Ave., Bennington.

Public comments can be submitted via email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov through September 4, 2026. More information on the proposed rule changes is available online at: https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/about-us/fish-and-wildlife-board/board-rules

Vermont Migratory Bird Hunting Season Announced

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has announced the 2026-2027 migratory game bird hunting season dates and bag limits.

A printable copy of the Migratory Bird Syllabus can be downloaded from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website under “Hunt” – “Waterfowl.” A printed version also will be available from license agents and post offices in August.

A statewide Vermont open hunting season for resident Canada geese will occur September 1-25.

Duck season this fall opens on October 10 in the Lake Champlain and Interior Vermont Zones and on October 13 in the Connecticut River Zone.

Vermont’s youth waterfowl hunting weekend will be September 26 and 27.

Woodcock hunting season is September 26- November 9 statewide with a three-bird bag limit.

The hunting season dates, bag limits and related regulations for all migratory birds are set annually within a framework established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and in coordination with New York and New Hampshire.

Waterfowl season dates and bag limits are set in three zones: Lake Champlain, Interior Vermont, and Connecticut River. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department sets the season dates and bag limits for the Connecticut River Zone.

Oak was very forceful letting us know when he wanted something.

Bits and Pieces

The Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland, NH, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of inspiring environmental stewardship, scientific discovery, and hands-on learning along one of New Hampshire’s most treasured natural resources, the Great Bay Estuary.

Since opening in June of 1996, GBDC has welcomed thousands of visitors and become one of the Seacoast’s premier destinations for environmental education. Operated by the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve through a partnership between the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Center has introduced generations of residents and visitors to the ecology, wildlife, and cultural history of New Hampshire’s largest estuary.

It is worth the drive to Greenland to visit the Center. To learn more visit greatbay.org.

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Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on July 30, 1969: “Heavy rains soaked much of central New England. 4.81 inches in Newfane, VT, and 5 inches Mays Mill in Halifax, VT.”

Mark also supplied the July Records and Averages

Warmest Ave. : 75.2°F/1921 Coldest Ave. : 65.0°F/1956

Wettest: 17.15 inches in 2024 Driest: 0.96 inches in 1919

Parting Shots

I went to the pond last week with great sadness as Oak was no longer leading the way. He would stand in the pond up to his shoulders and stare at me as much as to say, would you hurry up? I would wade out, splash water on his back and proceed to rub his back and hips. During the hot days of summer it was a nearly daily routine.

As I approached the pond, tearing up a bit, I spied a flash of brilliant red fly across the water and land on a branch. It was a scarlet tanager with an electric red body and jet black wings. I watched it for a few minutes as it flew from branch to branch never more than 25 feet from me.

I was thrilled and I know Oak would have been impressed as well. It sure cheered me up.

Two days later it again appeared much to my delight.

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As I write this Linda has been back at DHMC since Wednesday as a result of complications from an endoscopy and the insertion of a stent that has caused intense pain. I hope by the time you read this she will be back home.