Join me for a relaxing camping weekend over Memorial Day in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.  This will hopefully be an opportunity to meet some new GayOutdoor members!  We'll use the Brighton State Park as our base.  This campground sits between Spectacle and Island Ponds, on the opposite shore from the town of Island Pond, VT.  The campground is just 15 miles east of the beautiful Lake Willoughby.  The campground includes basic amenities, including a park beach and hot showers.

This weekend is meant to be social and fun with a basic itinerary.  The following is an outline of the planned activites:

• Friday Evening:  Meet and greet.
• Saturday:  Hike Mount Pisgah (2752') with its beautiful views and dramatic cliffs, which rise vertically out of Lake Willoughby.  The hike is approximately 3.9 miles with 1450 feet in elevation gain.
• Sunday:  Canoe/kayak Spectacle/Island Ponds or Lake Willoughby (rentals available)
• Monday:  Break camp.  There are a number of short hikes (e.g. Bluff Mountain) or sites we could visit (e.g. historic town of Island Pond).
• Nightly campfires

All planned activities will have ability levels of MODERATE.  Any water activities would require decent swimming ability.  There will be plenty of opportunities to relax, explore the area, check out the wildlife (moose, deer, bear, wolves, beaver, loons, osprey, bald eagles and the rarer and endangered Canada lynx make the Northeast Kingdom home) or to take one of many short trails out and around the pond.

Camping:  We'll camp at Brighton State Park for the 3 nights.  More information about the campground is available and reservations can be made online at www.vtstateparks.com/htm/brighton.htm.  Follow the link on the right-hand side of the page  (I've already booked Site 52 and there are plenty of nearby sites available...tent and leanto).  Vermont residents pay $18/site/night; non-residents pay $20 (plus reservation fee).   NOTE:  You will be responsible for your own site reservation, but I encourage and will help coordinate sharing of sites.  A maximum of 8 people and 2 cars are permitted per site.  There are hot showers and pond access from within the park.

Food:  Aside from delis and country stores, there are limited choices for food in this area...Bring all/most of what you will need.

What to Bring:  Some of the camping gear to consider would include cooler with food, camp stove, clothing, toiletries, tent, sleeping bag, pad/mattress, camp chair, swim suit, towel(s), aqua socks, dry bag, hiking boots/shoes, daypack, etc.  No firewood should be brought into the State of Vermont.  All firewood must be sourced locally.

FROM Points South in New England:   Take Route 91 North  to Lyndonville Exit 23.  Turn right onto Route 5 North for follow for 2.1 miles.  After that continue straight on Route 114 North for 22.7 miles.  There should be a sign for the park, but you will turn onto Pleasant Street and follow for 1.5 miles and then turn left onto Lakeshore Drive and continue for 0.8 miles.  The park entrance will be on your right.

For GPS Users:  The approximate address is 761 Lakeshore Drive, Island Pond, VT  05846 (44.796305, -71.856729)