White Rocks/ Ice Beds Trail

Green Mountain National Forest

Caring for the Land and Serving People

Length: 0.4 miles round trip to vistas1.8 miles round trip to ice beds	Feature:  View, Natural Phenomenon
Max elevation change:  180 feet	USGS maps: Wallingford Quad
Amount of use: Heavy	Hiking level: Moderate – Difficult
Average hike time: 1 – 1 ¾ hours round trip

Trail Description:

The Ice Beds Trail leaves from the southwest corner (near the entrance) of the parking lot following blue blazes. After crossing over a brook, the trail climbs several switchbacks to the top of a knoll at 0.2 miles. Here a spur trail to the left leads to views of the northwestern side of the White Rocks Cliffs. Continuing on the main trail for another 0.1 miles, there are other vista openings on the left that view the cliffs and the valley to the south. The trail then descends and meets an old woods road.  Bearing left, the trail follows the old road downhill and crosses a stream. From here the trail follows the stream around to the base of the talus pile of massive rocks. Deep within this pile lie the ice beds. 

Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in In the winter, ice forms deep within the recesses of the rock pile.  Protected, the ice lasts late into the summer and slowly melts.  All summer long a draft of cool air and a stream of 400 F water flow down the ravine from the rock pile.

Directions:

From Route 7 in Wallingford, follow Route 140 east 2.1 miles to the junction of Sugar Hill Road on the right;

From Route 103 in East Wallingford, follow Route 140 west approximately 4.0 miles to the junction of Sugar Hill Road on the left; Follow Sugar Hill Road for about 200 feet to the sign for the Green Mountain National Forest-White Rocks Picnic Area and turn right onto Forest Road 52.  Follow FR 52 for 0.5 miles to the Picnic Area parking lot.

Area Services:

Food and Services: Wallingford

For all Emergencies: Call 911

911 Information: The trailhead is in the Town of Wallingford, off Rte 140 and Forest Road 52.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

231 North Main Street, Rutland, VT 05701

(802) 747-6700 Phone                                           (802) 747-6766 FAX Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/greenmountain

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Recreational Opportunity Guide           White Rocks /Ice Beds Trail

For More Information:

Manchester Ranger District: 2538 Depot St. (Rte 11130), Manchester Center, VT  05255, (802) 362-2307

This Recreation Guide is Available  in Large Print at Forest Service Information Centers