_Hiking in the State Forest_
The hike from the end of the road to the top of Owlshead Mountain takes
only ten to fifteen minutes. A splendid view of the surrounding area,
particularly Groton and Kettle ponds, is obtained from here. If
possible, everyone who visits the park should take this short walk. The
granite is well-exposed at the summit and dikes of aplite and pegmatite
may be seen.
The more venturesome park visitor will want to make other trips away
from the “beaten path” into the wilderness of the Vermont woods. The
principal difficulty arises in that the wilderness is so real a person
may well become lost if he strays too far from the trails. Some of the
trails have become overgrown so that they are difficult to follow and
portions of others have been destroyed by the damming up of brooks by
the beavers. It is suggested that in planning hikes information be
obtained from the park superintendent about the condition of the various
trails.
[Illustration: Figure 6. Diagrammatic sketch showing the relations
between the schist of the Waits River formation and the granite on
the east side of the railroad cut, at Ricker Mills.]
GRANITE
WAITS RIVER FORMATION
An interesting hike can be made from Osmore Pond to Deer Mountain but as
the trail is poorly marked, one must maintain a sense of direction. From
the Osmore picnic area walk south near the shore of the pond to its
outlet into Osmore Brook. At this point turn left to the northeast and
follow the trail which parallels a wire marking the edge of the game
preserve. About three-fourths of a mile from Osmore Brook the trail
meets another trail at right angles. To the left the trail follows the
game preserve boundary northwestward. The trail to the right leads
directly to the top of Deer Mountain where a view may be obtained on the
south side of the summit. As an alternate route for returning, follow
the trail along the game preserve to the northwest. Some distance beyond
a shelter-lean-to the trail divides several times with the main trail
leading to Blake Hill and other trails to the left leading to the Osmore
Pond road.
A hike along the trail on the north side of Kettle Pond to the
shelter-lean-tos makes a pleasant trip along the water. Also, the trail
from Owlshead Mountain to Osmore Pond is convenient for a short hike
through the woods, if the trail can be found.
_Quarries at East Barre_
The granite quarries at East Barre are in nearly the same type of rock
as that which occurs at Groton State Forest. The quarry operations are
interesting and educational and the quarries afford a good opportunity
of seeing fresh, unaltered specimens of granite. Guide service is
offered at some of the quarries.