What do a historic golf course, children’s activities; a photography walk; yoga; and guided nature and history hikes have in common? They are all free activities that are part of the fourth annual Peak to Peak event on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with registration opening at 9:30 a.m.
Celebrating the trails of Woodstock, this event invites residents and visitors alike to venture out on the two village peaks — Mt. Peg and Mt. Tom — with expert guides, and enjoy special activities on both mountains. Starting at the village Green, participants can join these guided hikes to each mountain top, or pick up a map and explore on their own. Activity stations on the peaks will include arts and crafts, nature exploration for children, history exhibits from the Woodstock History Center, apple cider, and Frisbee golf. Hikers who reach the summits will receive a special token. The first 50 hikers who reach the top of both Mt. Tom and Mt. Peg, completing the “Peak to Peak Challenge,” will receive a prize.
Registration for hikes opens at 9:30 a.m. on the Green. Hot coffee, treats, and hot lunch items will be available at a booth supporting Woodstock Union High School’s Project Panama between 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The following are guided hikes departing from the village Green:
• Mt Peg Landscape History Walk:
Departs at 10:30 a.m. Easy 1.5 mile round trip.
Join local historian Bob Holt to explore the landscape and golf history of Mt. Peg. You’ll visit the site of the historic 19th century Mt. Peg Golf Course and stop at the summit for apple cider and a view.
• Mt Tom Hike: Departs at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Moderate 3.5 mile round trip. Join a national park or Green Mt. Club naturalist to hike the historic Faulkner Trail to South Peak for a panoramic view. Enjoy activities and apple cider at the top. Bring your own lunch or purchase snacks on the green for a picnic.
• Peak to Peak Challenge : Departs at 10 a.m. Hearty 5 miles round trip. Join staff from the Ottauquechee section of the Green Mountain Club for an adventurous hike to the summits of both Mt. Tom and Mt. Peg, stopping at the Woodstock village Green for lunch. After the hike, collect your prize for completing the challenge.
• Yoga Hike: All ages and levels of experience . Departs at 10 a.m. Easy 1.5 miles round trip . Movement, creativity, and the great outdoors converge as participants enjoy a moving meditation. The hike will take the group to a lookout point to practice yoga and then either draw or write as inspired by the woods and the view. Bring a journal or sketchbook and drawing or writing materials.
• Forest Ecology Hike With VINS . Departs at 12:30 p.m. Easy 1.5 miles round trip . Explore the ecology of Mt. Peg with Vermont Institute of Natural Science Executive Director, Charlie Rattigan. Charlie has worked on production for PBS and National Geographic centering on natural history and science including “Loons on Golden Pond,” “Birds of the Backyard,” “Garden Birds of America” and the widely seen “BirdWatch” series. Enjoy a special experience on the trail with this accomplished naturalist.
• Fall Photography Hike Mt. Tom with ArtisTree : Departs at 1 p.m. Moderate 3.5 miles round trip. Bring your camera and learn how to take great landscape photographs. The hike focuses on finding interesting subjects and vistas featuring fall foliage. Instruction will help participants to understand how to use their camera to capture the beauty of landscape color and contrast, considering composition, and perspective.
Peak to Peak is made possible by: ArtisTree, Billings Park Commission, Green Mountain Club, Holt Survey Associates, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park, Project Puerto Rico, Sustainable Woodstock, Upper Valley Trails Alliance, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce, Woodstock History Center.
Visit nps.gov/mabi/peaktopeak.htm or contact Jo Anne Dolan at jo_anne_dolan@nps.gov or (802) 457-3368 x17 for more information.