Oct 18, 2026
Ann, our dog Kai, and I recently headed out to Pittsford, VT, for a hike up Bald Peak. This wasn't just any regular outing—it was Kai’s first official hiking trip, and our first time testing out his new skijoring leash.
My journey to finding this trail started quite indirectly. While geeking out over local topography maps, I noticed a distinct, bowl-shaped depression just west of Goat Farm Road. The wannabe volcanologist in me immediately wondered if it was a volcanic remnant. My inner geology nerd took over, and I started hunting for trails to go investigate.
As it turns out, it isn't a volcano. Instead, it is a massive scree deposit from neighboring Bald Peak that is famous for hosting local ice caves. In these formations, giant tumbled boulders form deep vaults that trap dense, cold air. This microclimate keeps snow and ice frozen well into late spring and even summer.
While I couldn't find a direct trail into that specific ice-cave depression, which when you compare the relief map to the topo map, the relief map gets it wrong. I did locate a route that supposedly led to a cave at the base of Bald Peak. We packed up the truck and decided to check it out.
Hitting the Goat Farm Trail
It was a spectacular, crisp autumn Monday. The local fall foliage was still hitting its vibrant peak as we pulled into the small parking area off Goat Farm Road.
Kai was absolutely ecstatic. He immediately took the lead, leaning into his skijoring leash and nearly pulling me up the trail at times.
Our plan was to follow the main Goat Farm Trail while keeping our eyes peeled for a side trail branching up the ravine toward the cave. Unfortunately, the side trail proved elusive. We spotted a wooden stake with pink surveyor's tape, but saw nothing resembling an actual path. It was a warm day, and we weren't interested in bushwhacking through heavy brush due to the threat of ticks. (Good call, too—on the drive home, Ann spotted a deer tick crawling up her leg!)
Further up, we saw another faint path sloping upward in the right direction, but it looked equally unappealing. We decided to stick to the main trail. Along the base of the peak, we did encounter a cool rock jumble and smaller scree pile that likely contained mini ice caves. However, by this point, our sights were set on making it to the overlook to catch the valley views.
The Climb to North Peak
The Goat Farm Trail eventually intersected with the Bald Peak Trail, and we began our ascent toward the north peak.
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| Water Break |
Bald Peak features both a north and a south summit. As we climbed higher, it became clear that visiting the south peak would require dropping down into a steep ravine and climbing right back up. We decided to skip it. The main climb alone was a tough workout for Ann, who is still actively recovering from a skiing accident last year.
As we neared the top, we took a few short detours to check out some side overlooks. Finally, we reached the North Peak Overlook, and the views were absolutely breathtaking:
- Directly West: We could look right down into Florence and see the massive marble quarry.
- To the South: The highest visible peak appeared to be Edmunds Peak.
- Further West: The sweeping ridges of the Taconics and the Adirondacks framed the horizon.
Geology fans will appreciate the summit itself. The overlook is capped by durable, quartz-rich outcrops of the Cheshire Formation. This tough rock resists weathering and erosion much better than the softer rocks making up the surrounding valley floor.
A Tragic Local History
After soaking in the views, we turned around and hiked back toward the trailhead. Kai proved to be an excellent navigator. Whenever I briefly lost sight of the path, he seemed to know exactly which way to go.
On the descent, we crossed paths with a local hiker who gave us the missing background on the ravine cave. He confirmed that a trail does exist, but it is incredibly faint and rarely used.
He also shared a sobering story: a few years ago, some local kids were exploring the cave. To get in and out, you have to use a climbing rope. Tragically, while one of the kids was climbing out, the rope snapped. He fell back into the cave, struck his head, and passed away. It was a somber reminder of how dangerous these hidden underground spots can be.
Wrapping Up
Back at the trailhead, we loaded a tired but happy Kai into his doggie bed in the rear passenger seat of the truck. It was a fantastic day on the trails, and we headed back to Rutland with great memories, beautiful photos, and a successful first run with the skijoring setup.
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