Winter Challenge: Frozen Waterfall Hike, Vermont

Beautiful scene today at Bingham Falls.

The falls are still flowing among the frozen ice, snow, and icicles here at Bingham Falls, Stowe, Vermont.

Winter can bring some challenges here in Stowe, Vermont. Temperature stay below freezing for weeks at a time. Snow covers everything, but then turns into ice on the trails. Snowshoes can tackle the winter terrain, but then take away the agility needed to work your way to the perfect photo spot. So today, after hitting the ski slopes all morning, I took off into the backcountry to see what one of my favorite local waterfalls was looking like in the winter weather.

The entrance to the Bingham Falls trail was totally white. Everywhere was covered in snow. There was one set of older tracks, but it looked like noone had been here in a while. I wasn't even sure if the trail was open, but there were no signs saying closed, so on I went. The trail had definitely gotten a little icy, but I walked carefully. The sounds of the road quickly got left behind, and the silence of the snowy environment took over. The last part of the trail is a steep set of rocky steps, heading down to water level. This was by far the sketchiest part of the adventure. I slid on my butt a few times. I really didn't want to get hurt with no one else around, and probably no one coming anytime soon.

When I made it to the bottom, I immediately realized how worth it the risky trek down was. Ten foot long icicles clung to the walls, and the river itself was frozen on the edges. Bingham falls was beautiful, cascading from the gorge above. Both sides of the falls were frozen, adding to the winter mystique of the scene.

After carefully scrambling around the rocks to get better photo angles, I started the climb back up the hill. It was way harder! But I made it successfully, with some great photos to boot!

Frozen scene caught in a long exposure. Bingham Falls.

I had to get some proof that I was down at water level. It wasn't the easiest place to get in and out of but I'm glad I did.

The trail from the Mountain Road side has a very easy place to park, and then is not a great distance through the forest.

Its hard to tell but there is a frozen river behind me.

This might look like part of the frozen river, but its actually the trail heading down the steepest part! Danger. Be on high alert for slipping on ice.

No cars and no people. My kind of hike.

Panorama of Bingham Falls flowing into the icy river.

As always, get out there, take photos, post, and keep traveling!

-Dai Mar