Trails have been built by volunteers, including the Boy Scouts and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and are maintained by a dedicated volunteer group. Although this park takes its name from a hurricane that struck the area in the late 1700s, there is ample evidence of the effects of a more recent occurrence: the hurricane of September 21, 1938 toppled many old-growth white pine trees whose giant trunks remain today. There are other areas with enormous ancient trees still standing, including white pine and red oak.
Visit Hartford Parks and Recreation Department online for more information or contact:
Take Route 5 South from White River Junction past the VA hospital. Take an immediate right after the I-89 overpass onto Wright Reservoir Road; parking is at the pullover just a few feet before the refuge entrance on Wright Reservoir Road.
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I hiked around the outside, Pond Loop to Creek Trail to Beacon Hill, to Monument, and back to Pond Loop. Probably about two miles. The VAST trail intersection was a little confusing. The big black arrows on a yellow diamond signs are the VAST trail, so don't follow them. Most other intersections were well marked, except the T intersection at the northmost part of Beacon Loop. Why that one is the only one without a marker, I'm not sure. Pond Loop is fairly easy, but short. Beacon Hill is definitely moderate.