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THE PARK:
There has long been a predilection
for naming this distinctive double-humped mountain in the center
of Vermont's Green Mountains. The Waubanaukee Indians called
it "Tah-wak-bedeece-wadso" meaning "saddle mountain."
French
explorers in the 1600s named it "lion couchant" or
"resting lion." When Ira Allen sketched out a regional
map in 1798 he colorfully called the unique mountain "camel's
rump." By 1830 the name "Camel's Hump" was in
common usage. The park began in 1911 from a gift of 1000 acres,
including the summit, from Colonel Joseph Battell, who bought
Camel's Hump to preserve the pristine views from his home. The
State of Vermont has continued to adhere to Colonel Battell's
ideals and Camel's Hump remains one of the few undeveloped peaks
in the Green Mountain state.
WALKS:
Two routes ascend the 4,083-foot
Camel's Hump summit to create a hiking loop. The climb starts
with a rolling walk through light hardwoods and lifts gradually
to the trail fork. Canine hikers will want to stay straight onto
the Monroe Trail,
which is a steady uphill path suitable for dogs. The Dean
Trail to the left climbs through thick birches and past a
reflective beaver pond before joining the famous Long Trail.
The Long Trail, a 265-mile scenic route from the Massachusetts
state line to the Canadian border, was the first long-distance
trail of its kind in the United States. Here, however, it approaches
the open, rocky summit with steep rock faces that most dogs can
climb only with a helping lift. Better to come down this eastern
side of the mountain, not up. The full loop is 7.4 miles.
Canine refreshment comes in the form of Camel's Hump Brook, that
crosses both trails often. After completing the summit loop,
walk the View Trail, a wide grass trail, to admire what
you and your dog have just accomplished.
DIRECTIONS
TO CAMEL'S HUMP STATE PARK:
Camel's Hump is approached from the
north. From I-89, take Exit 10 and go south on VT 100 to VT 2.
Go east, or left, into Waterbury Village and take the first right
on Winooski Street. Cross the Winooski River and then go right
on River Road, a dirt road. Go 5.1 miles to Camel's Hump Road
on the left, that follows Ridley Brook. Turn left here and climb
1.4 miles to a fork in the road, bear left and cross a bridge.
Continue to climb another 2.4 miles to the eastern trailhead
parking.
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