Fairlee, VT (USA)

Since last summer, I’ve been wanting to check out kayak launch spots on Lake Morey, located near I-91 on the Vermont side of the Connecticut River.  With no precipitation forecasted for Hanover (and a Federal Holiday from work), I thought today would be a good day for a Recce trip to Fairlee, where the lake is located.  As I got off the Interstate, I encountered snow - lots of it, with accumulation!  Despite this, I drove around the edge of the lake (counterclockwise) to get a feel for the neighborhood - it reminded me a bit of Sunapee because there was almost no public water access.  After I’d almost completed a full circuit of the lake, I discovered the VT Fish & Wildlife boat launch (southwest corner).  Even better, I also found a hiking trailhead.  Like many of the little towns in the Upper Valley, they had a huge complex of multi-use trails that crossed a large area known as the “Fairlee Forest”.  Before departing on a hike, though, I checked out the launch and took a walk out on the lake (0945).  There were many more areas where there was water (with no ice) than made me feel comfortable but I headed out towards the ice fishermen that I could (barely) see.  The visibility was low and I wasn’t wearing spikes so I soon headed back to the car.  Instead of leaving, I put on the spikes and headed up a large hill on the Cross-Rivendell Trail.  The steepness, icy conditions and lack of heavy foot traffic made the climb pretty challenging but I was rewarded with views of the lake.  I tried to visit Glen Falls but found the trail even more treacherous.  Instead, I followed C-R to the Echo Mountain Road - this was a bit easier.  There were plenty of good blazes to help me navigate but the signs didn’t make me feel like I’d see very much if I kept going.  So, despite not hiking a lot of distance, I started my backtrack at about the end of my first mile.  It stopped snowing and the sun came out for a bit - this highlighted some of the tracks of many different animals.  I didn’t see any people all day and was glad.  Used a modified route to return and it was a bit easier.  Wished I’d brought my trekking poles...  At the car again, I decided to take one more stroll on the lake and ended up meeting a nice fisherman who had just finished a successful morning (several perch).  He told me more about the area and the kinds of conditions normally found nearby.  I was done with my excursion by 1145 and headed back home.  It was a great way to pass another wintry day and now I know where to launch my kayak, come Spring...