June has finally arrived and is an exciting month in the northeast! It marks the end of mud season and brings warm weather, longer days, and the official start of summer. It’s not surprising that June recently became known as “Great Outdoors Month” and it’s the perfect time to connect with nature.
My favorite way to spend time outdoors is to take a hike. Hiking is not only a good means of exercise, it also helps clear my mind, relieve stress, and relax while exploring new places. I often find myself focused on the beauty around me and appreciating the little details. If I happen to have my camera with me, it’s always fun to get creative and bring those details and views home to enjoy or share with others.

One of the wonderful things about living in the Upper Valley is the proximity to so many different types of trails and destinations. You can go for a short, leisurely walk in the woods or challenge yourself on a 4,000-footer, and everything in between. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker, Vermont and New Hampshire surely have something for everyone.

Want to log some trail time this month? A great online resource for finding the perfect trail is Trail Finder (https://www.trailfinder.info/). The Trail Finder database is maintained by the Upper Valley Trails Alliance (https://www.uvtrails.org/) in partnership with several other organizations that ensure the trail information provided is accurate and updated.

You can use the interactive map or customize the search criteria to locate trails by geographic area, trail length, difficulty, season, and accessibility. You can see whether trails are open or closed and the type of traffic allowed (i.e. hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing). Each trail description provides an overview of the trail, a couple photos, directions, if pets are allowed, and whether to expect to pay a fee. There’s an interactive map for each trail with icons for trailheads, viewpoints, and points of interest to help you plan and GPS files for download. Click on individual trail segments to see the mileage, elevation information, and average grade.

When you’re ready to hit the trail, bring plenty to eat and drink and pack layers to be prepared for changing weather and conditions, especially if climbing a mountain since it’s usually cooler and windier higher up. A headlamp, sun protection, and a first aid/emergency kit are also a good idea. You won’t be the only one enjoying the woods this time of year – so don’t forget the bug spray!

If you have a wellness themed topic you would like to share or learn more about, and/or blog/vlog about as an expert in a health/wellness related field, please reach out to shelby@cclyme.org. 

Shelby Wood
Manager of Program Development
CommunityCare of Lyme
Shelby@cclyme.org
802-468-7776