Four viewpoints along the Bald Mountain Trail offer panoramic views of the Green Mountain Range, the Otter Creek and Cold River valleys, and Rutland City. Mendon’s hikes also vary in route type and include specific details about distance and hiking time.
Trails by Route Type and Time
The Deer Leap Overlook Trail is a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail that ends at a rocky outcrop with a view. The similarly named Deer Leap Mountain Trail, by contrast, is a 3.1-mile loop. The two names therefore refer to trails with different distances and route types.
The Bucklin Trail is 7 miles round trip, with a stated hiking time of 4 to 6 hours. The Canty Trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail with more than 1,600 feet of elevation gain. The one-way trip is listed as taking 3 to 5 hours, and the trail can be muddy. The Pico Peak Trail is 5.4 miles round trip, with a hiking time of about 3.5 hours and 1,800 feet of elevation gain. It is marked in blue and can be heavily trafficked.
These details offer different points of reference for planning: on the Deer Leap Overlook, the viewpoint is at the end of the trail, while the Bucklin, Canty, and Pico trails are described in terms of distance as well as hiking time or elevation gain. The possibility of muddy conditions is also a practical detail for the Canty Trail. This makes it possible to choose based on the trail features explicitly listed.
The Long Trail is a long-distance trail over 270 miles long through Vermont and Massachusetts that can also be used for out-and-back day hikes. It is marked in white, and its side trails are marked in blue.
Woodlands and Views
Aitken State Forest is accessible via Notch Road in Mendon. The access point is east of the intersection with Wheelerville Road; seasonal road conditions may vary. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are possible in the forest. Side roads in Mendon also provide access to Coolidge State Forest.
The Bald Mountain Trail is another way to experience the landscape from several viewpoints: its four overlooks offer views of the mountain range, valleys, and Rutland City. This differs from the winter activities mentioned for Aitken State Forest. Those interested in a trail’s history can find it on the Tamarack Notch Trail: it follows an old loop road that once led to a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and later to the Tamarack Notch Girl Scout Camp.
Local History and Recreation Area
The former transportation route is also part of Mendon’s history. The historic Rutland, Woodstock and Stockbridge Turnpike ran along what is now Woodstock Avenue into Mendon, then split at what are now Old Turnpike and Elbow Road. This describes the route’s historic course and where it split.
Another local historical marker commemorates Old John, Ripley’s cavalry horse: a stone behind the restaurant at the intersection of Route 4 and Meadowlake Drive marks the grave. The reference remains to Ripley; the stone commemorates the horse, not any broader association.
The Mendon Recreation Area has a well-maintained playground, a baseball field, and a half basketball court with pickleball markings. If any of these facilities is important to your visit, check its current condition beforehand.
Discover more destinations: Castleton, Danby, Shrewsbury, Brandon, Chittenden, Rutland, Killington.
For the main travel overview: Rutland County.
