Mt Philo is a state park located in Charlotte Vermont. The park consists of 168 acres that protect the area around Mt Philo which is 968 ft high. At the start of our hike up Mt Philo, we saw immediate evidence of the ice storm from 1998. This storm caused many trees to be snapped and killed, which allowed for the regeneration of several new species- some invasive.
Sumac is one of species that was able to flourish after many trees fell during the ice storm. The species very abundant at the start of the trail and through out our hike.
Not too much further up the path we saw an extremely large sugar maple tree, or a "wolf tree" that was much larger that the species around it.
The area around Mt Philo is very rocky and unsuitable for farm land. Boulders of great size are scattered through out Mt Philo.
In an effort to change the rockyness and erosion from the rocks, the civilian conservation corps planted pine plantations of Red pine (native) and Scotts Pine (non native).
The Blood root wild flower was found through out our hike. It is called this due to the root which is bright red.
It is now noticeable that several species are beginning to bud as the weather is changing.
At the top of Mt Philo, the view is terrific for sun set. We were able to see beautiful views of Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack Mountains to the west. The Green Mountains can also be seen to the east and south.
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