“How is this possible,” you may ask? Well, in an admittedly vague sense, but bear with me!
Many of you may be following the progress of efforts to rebuild the Stone Hut at the top of Mt. Mansfield after it burned on Christmas Eve of last year. The delicate work to give the Hut new life, while maintaining its authenticity, has been taken on by local Vermont woodworkers, contractors, and masons.
Tremendous efforts have also been made to source local materials in the re-build, and one of the most significant contributions were the spruce logs used for the huts new roof beams. These beams were harvested by Lepesqueur Logging from a parcel of land that also hosts the Catamount Trail (section 25), on the shoulder of Elmore Mountain. This property, like many that the CT winds through, is a part of the working landscape, and an important part of Vermont’s aesthetic and economy.
So, the next time you are catching your breath along the East side of Elmore Mountain, looking down towards beautiful Lake Elmore, just remember that the forest you see below has made a contribution to protecting Vermont’s rich history.
See the Stowe Reporter article for more details on the Stone Hut rehabilitation project.
