To learn more about our past programs please click here.

Stark Mountain StorySki

The Stark Mountain Foundation StorySki was inspired by Anne Ferguson, of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier. Anne created “StoryWalk,” where the pages of a children’s book are set up along a walking route. During the annual StorySki, the pages of a children’s storybook are placed along a ski trail at Mad River Glen. Children and families ski from page to page and read the story as they move down the ski trail. This event aims to inspire skiers of all ages to enjoy Stark Mountain, read, have fun, and be active together.

Please watch the video below to learn more about this event.

Stark Mountain Hiking

Stark Mountain hikers may park free of charge in the Mad River Glen ski area parking lot. Walk across the road through the Mad River Glen base area. Pass through the Mad River Glen entrance and take a left before the Single Chair lift building, or go straight past the Base Box building on your right. The hiking kiosk is next to the flag pole across from the Base Box building. Turn to your left when facing the sign, and then head up the work road to begin the hike.

The Stark Mountain Trail

(2.5 miles to the summit – 2,036’, elevation gain)

The trail begins at the base of Mad River Glen and follows the wide, well-established “work road” under the single-chair lift. The road meanders up past a large waterfall and ends where it hits the Long Trail (LT) just before the Stark’s Next Shelter. Continue north past the shelter on the LT for a longer loop that connects to the Sunnyside Trail.

Bunny Trail

This alternative route is slightly steeper than the Stark Mountain Trail. It ascends the “Bunny” ski trail and rejoins the Stark Mountain Trail about 0.5 miles below the Single Chair mid-station. This intersection is just 0.2 miles downhill from the Sunnyside Trail and cuts off 0.4 miles of the Stark Mountain Trail.

The Sunnyside Trail

(0.4 miles, 300’ elevation gain)

The Sunnyside trail begins at the intersection with the Stark Mountian trail. To reach the Sunnyside trail from the base of Mad River Glen take the Stark Mountain Trail uphill until you reach the trail junction. Take a right at the intersection to follow the ski trail uphill to the Sunnyside Double Lift.

The Long Trail (LT)

(2.1 miles, 1,400’ elevation gain)

This section of the LT runs south from the Appalachian Gap to the top of the Single Chair. It intersects the Sunnyside Trail at the top of the Sunnyside Double lift and the Stark Mountain Trail at the top of the Single Chair. For a longer hike, continue south on the LT to where it intersects with the Jerusalem Trail, Mount Ellen, or Lincoln Gap.

Jerusalem Trail

(2.4 miles, 1,800’ descent)

The Jerusalem trail intersects the LT south of the Stark Mountain Trail. It leads to the Jim Dwire Road trailhead parking area in Jerusalem. To get there from the base of Mad River Glen, hike the Stark Mountain Trail to the LT intersection. Head south on the LT for 0.9 miles past the unmarked 3,661ft summit of Stark Mountain and take a right at the trail junction.

Click on the documents below to access the Stark Mountain Hiking and Snowshoe Guides.

Click on the right arrow below to view photos and READ ABOUT HIKING the Stark Mountain Trail.

Parking for Hiking

Park in the Mad River Glen ski area parking lot across the street from the base buildings.

Getting to the start of the hike

From the parking lot, cross the road and walk towards the base of the ski area.

Getting to the Start

Walk through the entrance to Mad River Glen.

Stark Mountain Trail

To take the Stark Mountain Trail veer to the left at the bottom of the single-chair lift and follow the access road up the mountain.

Snowshoe Trail

This is also the start of the Snowshoe trail.

Map Kiosk

If you would like to view a map before starting, veer right and head towards the kiosk next to the flag poll, and across from the base building.

Starting from the Map Kiosk

Turn to your left and follow the access road up the mountain.

Stark Mountain Trail

Continue up the road. This is the trail.

Mad River Base Views

The trail keeps winding its way up the mountain. Enjoy the great views of the base as you get higher up.

Waterfall

Continue up the Stark Mountain Trail until you find the large waterfall on the left-hand side.

Birdcage

Next, you’ll come to the Birdcage lodge on the right.

Kent Thomas Nature Center

Be sure to check out the Kent Thomas Nature center and say hi to Roland the Bear.

Hi Roland!

There are 10 interpretive animal and bird signs to read along your way.

Mammals of the Mountain

Be sure to stop and read about the wildlife on Stark Mountain.

Trail Junction

When you come to the trail junction take the trail to the left to continue up the Stark Mountain trail. Take the trail to the right to the Sunnyside trail.

Mid Station

Pass by the single chair mid-station on your way to the Stark’s Nest Shelter.

Long Trail Entrance

After the top of a steep ascent, you will see a cut-through trail. This leads to the Long Trail. Take a left to go south, and a right to go north. You can also skip this cut through and there will be a second entrance further up the road on your left. This entrance has a sign.

Long Trail South

Head south if you are hiking the Jersulam trail. Keep going until you hit a trail junction and take the trail to the right.

Long Trail South

Head south on the long trail.

Long Trail North

The trail becomes windy and rocky in places. Be careful on wet days, as it can be a steep decent in some places.

Stark's Nest Shelter

Pass by the shelter at the top of the single chair and climb up the rocks to stay on the trail. The trail veers to the left and heads into the woods just before you hit the ski trail.

Long Trail North

Keep heading north past this Ski Patrol Sled to stay on the trail.

Trail Sign

Hit this trail sign right before Theron Dean Shelter.

Theron Dean Shelter

Be sure to catch the panoramic views from the lookout in front of the shelter.

Dean's Cave By Pass

Take this by-pass trail to visit the Theron Dean shelter and then go through a cave before coming back to the Long Trail North.

Dean's Cave

Come through Dean’s Cave back on to the Long Trail south.

Sunnyside Trail

Come out at the top of the Mad River Double chair lift. This is the start of the Sunnyside Trail, which connects back to the Stark Mountain Trail. The Sunnyside trail follows the grassy ski trail down the mountain past the MRG trail sign.

Ski Patrol Building

Pass by the ski patrol building at the top of the double chair on your way down the Sunnyside Trail.

Birdcage

Pass by the Birdcage again on your way down.

Single Chair

Pass by the single chair before heading down to the parking lot.

Come Back Soon

Thanks for hiking Stark Mountain!

Mad River Glen Snowshoe Trails on Stark Mountain

A. Snowshoe Hare Trail- Easy

(1.0 mile, 350’ elevation gain)

An easy-to-moderate loop trail for all ages and beginners! This snowshoe hike takes one to two hours depending on your pace.

B. Moosewood Trail - Intermediate

(2.2 miles, 1000’ elevation gain)

This trail leads to the top of the Birdland chairlift, provides a link to the Long Trail, and continues to the Birdland Nature Center. Some sections are steep. Return to the base area on the same route. This snowshoe hike takes two or three hours in total.

C. Bearpaw Trail - Difficult

(0.8 miles, 750’ elevation gain)

A challenging up-and-back trek for experienced snowshoers! The trail starts at the mid-point of the Snowshoe Hare Trail.

D. Link Trail - Difficult

( 0.1 miles, 500” elevation gain).

A short spur that connects the Moosewood Trail to the Long Trail.

E. Long Trail - Difficult

(1.5 miles, 1,000’ elevation gain)

A difficult 1.5 mile 1,000’ ascent along the ridgeline of Stark Mountain to the summit. Return to base via the same route. The base area to summit via Moosewood and the Long Trail is approx. 5.2 miles.

F. Birdcage Link Trail - Moderate

This is a closed trail.