Vermont County Highpoints

Overview

Vermont's county highpoints are among the most consistently elevated of perhaps any mountainous state in the nation; with the exception of Grand Isle County, every highpoint falls within the range of 3100-4400 feet in height. Many of these peaks offer challenging hikes and stunning scenery, though several are more sublime in nature. For those so inclined, however, eight counties can be more easily summited by the aid of summit roads, ski lifts, and gondolas. Virtually all of the peaks are trailed. In fact, only the bushwhacks up Butterfield and Signal Mtns, the unofficial path to Big Jay from Jay Peak, and possibly the two candidate areas on Grand Isle require any traveling off the beaten path.

For those interested in the Vermont 4000'ers, all five of them will contribute toward your amassing of counties: Mt. Ellen and Camels Hump are the candidates for Washington County's highpoint, and the remaining three are each highpoints of their respective counties. The famed Long Trail passes over--or very near to--nine of the fourteen counties' highpoints. Almost unique among the states, there are no true "liners", though Big Jay and Adam's Apple come close. One thing, however, is certain: Vermont's county highpoints cannot be completed in just a long weekend, nor should they be. Perhaps more so than any other state in the region, Vermont's mountains are meant to be savored, and enjoyed over a period of years.

County	Highpoint(s)	Elevation in Feet
Chittenden	Mount Mansfield, the Chin	4393
Rutland	Killington Peak	4235
Lamoille	Mount Mansfield, Adams Apple	4220
Washington	Mount Ellen	4083
	Camels Hump	4083
Addison	Mount Abraham	4006
Windham	Stratton Mountain	3940
Orleans	Jay Peak	3858
Bennington	Equinox Mountain	3840+
Franklin	Big Jay	3786
Essex	East Mountain	3439
Windsor	Gillespie Peak	3366
Caledonia	Signal Mountain	3360+
Orange	Butterfield Mountain	3167
Grand Isle	Pt. 279 SW of South Hero	279
	"Hyde Hill" NE of Grand Isle	270+

External Links

Thanks once again to cohp.org for information pertaining to the highpoints.

Access Issues

Vermont has among the fewest access issues regarding its highpoints as any state.

Permission should, if possible, be obtained to access the two Grand Isle County spots, as both are on private land.

East Mountain's summit is rumored to be closed on account of asbestos in the summit buildings. I don't know anything further: proceed at your own risk to your health and the law.

The neighboring Butterfield and Signal Mountains, when approached from the west, involve crossing private land. The standard eastern approach up the Groton State Forest road does not.

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Images

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