Mount Worcester - Worcester Mountain-Middle Peak
Location: Worcester, Vermont
Mileage: 8 Miles
Elevation Gain: 2778 Feet
Trail(s) Used: Worcester Mountain Trail, Skyline Trail
Views: From Ledges below/and from summit of Mount Worcester
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Hiking List(s): Vermont 3000 Footers/Vermont 100 Highest
Amy was hiking in New Hampshire today, so I headed out solo for my hike. With so many hikes on my list in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire, I had plenty of options. I decided on something in Vermont that I’d been wanting to do for a while. Years ago, Brian and I dabbled in hiking Vermont’s 3000 Footers and checked off quite a few. We even tackled some sections of the Long Trail, so Vermont is definitely familiar territory for me.
It was going to be about a two-hour drive, so I left the house early in the morning and hit the road. Thank goodness for podcasts—without them, it would have been a long and boring trip. The trailhead was several miles outside Montpelier, Vermont’s capital, down a few dirt roads.
The kiosk at the parking area for the Worcester Mountain Trail marked the start of a fun journey. Getting there was an adventure in itself, driving along a narrow dirt road with about 7–8 berms—clearly the locals’ way of keeping speeds in check.
It’s just a short 2.2-mile trek from the trailhead parking lot to the summit of Mount Worcester along the Worcester Mountain Trail.
The start of the Worcester Mountain Trail was gentle, following what seemed like an old road for about three-quarters of a mile. The trail was also in pretty good condition.
After crossing one of the major waterways, the Worcester Mountain Trail follows Hancock Brook for a pleasant stretch. Today, every crossing was either completely dry or had only a trickle of water.
For the most part, the Worcester Mountain Trail can get pretty wet when it’s raining or during the winter. In some sections, it’s almost like walking along a river.
The final half mile of the Worcester Mountain Trail was the steepest stretch of the hike.
The granite slab scrambles begin as they make their way toward the summit of Mount Worcester.
An early morning panorama from the ledges just below the summit of Worcester Mountain offers sweeping views across eastern Vermont and into New Hampshire.
The granite slab scrambles were fun and not too difficult to climb, though the steady steep incline led all the way to the summit. Along the Worcester Mountain Trail, there were still plenty of high-bush blueberries to pick.
A beautiful quartz dyke rests on the ledges just below the summit of Worcester Mountain.
From the summit of Worcester Mountain, the view of Middle Peak is stunning. It’s only about 1.4 miles away, yet it appears much farther in the distance.
From the summit of Worcester Mountain, you can enjoy a stunning view of nearby Mount Mansfield.
Summit sign marking the highest point of Worcester Mountain, elevation 3,296 feet.
The Skyline Trail begins just below the summit of Mount Worcester, and in some spots, it’s tricky to navigate due to the absence of blazes and the number of blowdowns.
A different perspective of Mount Worcester’s Middle Peak, taken from a ledge just below Worcester Mountain’s summit.
Some sections of the Skyline Trail were a nice ridge hike and easy to follow the trail.
The wooded summit of Worcester Mountain-Middle Peak, at an elevation of 3,490 feet, is just a short bushwhack from the high point of the Skyline Trail.
A short stretch of the Skyline Trail was dotted with piles of moose scat, only a few weeks old at most. Moose are opportunistic creatures, using trails much like we use sidewalks.
On the way back to Worcester Mountain, I caught this view of the summit. It was actually fun having to reclimb it just to get back to the car.
The summit sign is oddly placed on the Skyline Trail side of the peak instead of the Worcester Mountain Trail side.
It was a 2.2-mile trek back to the parking lot, a quick and uneventful descent.
I’d been eyeing this hike for years but never had the chance to try it—until today, and it didn’t disappoint. The Skyline Trail lived up to its messy reputation, with plenty of blowdowns and big patches of mud. Still, it was a beautiful summer day, cool enough for comfort, with great views from the summit of Worcester Mountain. I’ll definitely have to return someday to finish the rest of the Skyline Trail and tag Mount Putnam too.
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