The Green Mountains of Vermont

The Green Mountains of Vermont are part of the Appalachian Mountain system, extending for 250 miles north to south through the state.

They are separated by Lake Champlain and other valley terrain on the west from the Connecticut River valley that defines much of its eastern border. A majority of its terrain is forested with hardwoods and conifers, and a majority of its open land is devoted to agriculture.

Green Mountain State

Vermont not only takes its state nickname (“The Green Mountain State”) from the mountains, it is named after them. The French Monts Verts or Verts Monts is literally translated as “Green Mountains”. This name was suggested in 1777 by Dr. Thomas Young, an American revolutionary and Boston Tea Party participant. The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College is referred to as UVM, after the Latin Universitas Viridis Montis (University of the Green Mountains).

The Vermont Republic, also known as the Green Mountain Republic, existed from 1777 to 1791, at which time Vermont became the 14th state.

Highest Peaks

Many peaks in the Green Mountains rise above 3,000 feet, and five rise above 4,000 feet. Mount Mansfield at 4,393 feet, is the highest point in Vermont. Killington Peak, 4,235 feet, is the second highest. Camel’s Hump, Mount Ellen, and Mount Abraham are also over 4,000 feet.

Highways cross at passes cut by the Missisquoi, Lamoille, and Winooski rivers. The mountains are noted for their scenic beauty and are popular tourist resort areas, known for its skiing facilities in winter and hiking in summer.

Hiking, Skiing, Recreation

The Long Trail, a wilderness hiking trail, traverses the state, while drivers set a slower pace on Vermont’s sce

nic roads. Quaint towns, such as Stowe and Montgomery, acres of farmed valleys, apple orchards, covered bridges and specialty stores are prevalent in the area.

Rutland, the state’s second largest city, is nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains, resting in a wide valley between two mountain ranges. To the east three large peaks — Killington, Pico and Shrewsbury — flank the city. Rich in natural beauty, melded with a healthy economy and a wonderful history, Rutland is hailed as an ecletic mix of the old and new.

Mount Mansfield is the highest mountain in Vermont. The summit is located within the town of Underhill, the ridgeline, including some secondary peaks, extends into the town of Stowe, and the mountain’s flanks also reach into the town of Cambridge. When viewed from the east or west, this mountain has the appearance of a

Skiers at Killington Resort. Photo courtesy Brian Cua & Wikimedia Commons.

human profile, with distinct forehead, nose, lips, chin, and Adam’s apple.

Mount Mansfield is one of three spots in Vermont

Click for Video

Looking south off the summit ridge of Mount Mansfield towards Camel’s Hump. Photo courtesy Joe Calzarette and Wikimedia Commons.

where alpine tundra survives from the Ice Ages. The mountain’s summit holds about 200 acres. In 1980, the Mount Mansfield Natural Area was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.

Located in Mount Mansfield State Forest, the mountain is used for various recreational and commercial purposes. “The Nose” is home to transmitter towers for a number of regional radio and TV stations. There are many hiking trails. In addition, the east flank of the mountain is used by the Stowe Mountain Resort for winter skiing. A popular activity is to take the toll road (about 4 miles, steep, mostly unpaved, with several hairpin turns) from the Stowe Base Lodge to “The Nose” and hike along the ridge to “The Chin”.

Killington Mountain is located east of Rutland in south-central Vermont. A ski resort, Killington Ski Resort, nicknamed “the beast of the east”, is located on the mountain. Killington is a stop on the Long Trail, which shares its route with the Appalachian Trail. Traveling southbound on the Trail, it is the last 4,000 feet peak until Virginia. A gondola transports skiers and non-hikers to the summit in winter, summer, and during fall color season. There is a lodge near the peak which is complete with a restaurant and bar with panoramic views.

For more on visiting the Green Mountains of Vermont: http://greenmountains.com https://vermontvacation.com 32 • Byways The Green Mountains, just outside of Montpelier,

Vermont. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Downtown Rutland, Vermont. Photo courtesy Doug Kerr and Wikimedia Commons.

View from Mount Killington with skis, between the K1 gondola and the Peak Lodge. Photo courtesy Brian Cua & Wikimedia Commons.