Wilgus State Park (Blog Hike #961)

Trails: Pinnacle, Ridge, and Nature Trails
Hike Location: Wilgus State Park
Geographic Location: Ascutney, VT (43.38923, -72.40750)
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)
Date Hiked: September 2023
Overview: A double loop with Connecticut River views from both near and far.
Park Information: https://vtstateparks.com/wilgus.html
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=946864
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming September 6)

Directions to the trailhead: In southeastern Vermont, take I-91 to SR 131 (exit 8).  Exit and go east on SR 131.  Drive SR 131 east 0.5 miles to US 5 and turn right on US 5.  Drive US 5 south 1.1 miles to the signed park entrance on the left.  Turn left, pay the park entrance fee, and park in the gravel lot just south of the entrance.

The hike: Often overshadowed both literally and figuratively by nearby Mount Ascutney State Park, tiny Wilgus State Park protects 100 acres along the Connecticut River.  The park came to be in 1933 when William J. Wilgus, an engineer best known for designing New York's Grand Central Terminal, donated the land to the State of Vermont.  The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked here in 1935 and 1936, and they built the park's contact station and its famous Pinnacle Trail among other things.

            Today Wilgus State Park remains the only developed Vermont state park directly on the Connecticut River, which is amazing considering that the river forms the entire eastern boundary of Vermont.  The park's only amenities are a small developed campground, a group camp, river access, and 3 hiking trails.  The route described here uses all 3 of the park's trails, but it combines them in a clever way so as to visit all of the park's points of interest while minimizing distance and difficulty.

Crossing US 5 to start the hike

            To do the hardest part of the hike first, walk to the contact station and then angle left to cross US 5 and begin climbing on the Pinnacle Trail.  The trail climbs on a gradual to moderate grade via a single broad switchback to reach a trail intersection at 0.3 miles.  Both options here are marked with blue rectangles, but the Ridge Trail goes straight while the Pinnacle Trail goes right.  We will hike the Ridge Trail later, but for now turn right to stay on the Pinnacle Trail.

Intersecting the Ridge Trail

            After crossing a broad level shelf on the side of the hill, the north arm of the Ridge Trail exits left.  We will go that way on our way down, but again stay on the Pinnacle Trail by continuing straight.  Next comes the steepest and hardest part of the climb: the trail gains almost 150 feet of elevation in only 0.1 miles.  As I looked around at the surrounding terrain, I could see some ways this trail could be re-routed to lessen the grade, but for now it goes the way it goes.  Step carefully on this short but steep and rocky section.

Climbing the Pinnacle Trail

            At 0.5 miles, you reach the Pinnacle Trail's main viewpoint.  Although this viewpoint is uninspiring compared to others in New England, a narrow window through the trees allows you to look all of the way down to the Connecticut River, which is now roughly 300 vertical feet below you.  There is no comfortable place to sit up here, but you should still take a few minutes to enjoy the best view of the hike.

Viewpoint on Pinnacle Trail

            The Pinnacle Trail continues past the viewpoint and heads back downhill before ending at the park's campground.  While you could go that way, I also wanted to hike the Ridge Trail, so I backtracked to the first Ridge Trail junction I came to going this direction and angled right to begin the Ridge Trail.  The Ridge Trail forms a short and fairly level loop around the edge of the hillside shelf you hiked across before.  The forest here contains some maple and beech trees, but pine seems to be the most common tree in this park.  No additional views emerge due to the dense forest.

Hiking the Ridge Trail

            At the end of the Ridge Trail, continue straight to retrace your steps down the Pinnacle Trail and across US 5 to the contact station, which you reach 1.3 miles into the hike.  You could end your hike now.  Yet this park's claim to fame is its status as the only Vermont state park directly on the Connecticut River, and you have not yet hiked along the Connecticut River.  To address that oversight, walk around the contact station and descend slightly to reach the park's Nature Trail, which does indeed follow the bank of the river.  Turn right to begin hiking downstream with the river on your left.

Connecticut River overlook platform

            Soon you reach the wooden platform that is this park's main river overlook.  While a couple of trees grow between the platform and the river, this is a very peaceful spot to watch a relatively young and narrow Connecticut River.  I was hoping to do some bird and wildlife viewing here, but nothing seemed to be moving on the cloudy morning of my visit.  Continuing downstream, you pass beside the park's group camp just before the Nature Trail splits to form its loop.  For no particular reason, I chose to turn right and hike the short loop counterclockwise.

Hiking the Nature Trail

            The trail comes within sight of US 5 as it continues south.  As steep as the Pinnacle Trail was, the Nature Trail is equally flat, and the wide dirt treadway makes for easy going.  Upon reaching the park's south boundary at a shallow but steep ravine, the trail does a sweeping 180 degree turn to begin heading north with the river immediately to your right.  At 1.9 miles, you close the Nature Trail's loop.  Proceed through the group camp and angle left to return to your car and complete the hike.