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Perched high in the Appalachians, near the resort town of Stowe, Smuggler’s notch is a beautiful spot to spend a couple of days. The boulders are schist, there is a reasonable quantity and variety of problems and the approach is non-existent. Rock quality is good for the most part, but landings can be uneven, so bring pads and spotters. Seasons Conditions are best in the spring and fall, but because of its high elevation, Smuggler’s Notch stays relatively cool in the summer. The road through the notch closes at first snowfall, but it is still possible to hike in from the gate. Accommodations Summgler’s Notch State Park (http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/smugglers.cfm) is the closest camping to the boulders. The park is open from mid-May to mid-October and sites start at $16 per night. Reservations are recommended (802-253-4014). A plethora of other, pricier, accommodation options are available in Stowe. Food Groceries and restaurants can be found in the nearby resort town of Stowe. Geology Between 600 and 400 million years ago, northern Vermont was covered by a warm, shallow sea, called the Ipateus Ocean. Over time the sedimentary rocks that made up the shoreline and continental shelf of this ocean were folded and faulted to form the Green Mountains. Smuggler’s Notch is a narrow mountain pass in the Green Mountains, part of the larger Appalachian Mountain Chain. The boulders at Smuggler’s Notch are schist, metamorphosed sediments from the Ipateus Ocean. Most of the boulders are the result of rock fall from the cliffs above. |
