It’s April in Stowe, Vermont, and there is still no sign of spring!
As of writing this, I can say that I have been starting to see many posts from my fellow foragers and wilderness wanderers popping up on social media. People from all over New England are posting pictures of spring flowers and the first mushrooms popping up out of the newly exposed earth. Of course Massachusetts is quite a bit different from Vermont, in more ways than one, that’s for sure. I personally really notice the difference when considering the availability of non-snow covered or frozen ground.
That all makes sense, and I am quite used to it living up here in the frozen north country. But what’s really getting me this year, is that I am now starting to see pictures popping up of spring from Vermont locations! This is a great example of localized weather, because here in Stowe, VT we are still completely buried under feet of snow. Look at this picture of the Smuggler’s Notch road just buried under 10 feet of snow!
When will it be time to forage in Stowe, Vermont?
I don’t know. Normally I don’t really worry too much about the first good forage. Looking for those early spring forage-ables such as nettles, ramps, and Japanese knotweed shoots is always a fun and rewarding spring activity, but I am often still quite absorbed into skiing at this time. Spring skiing in in Stowe, VT will be going to April 21st this year, which may conflict with some of those earliest of early foraging opportunities.
Like I said, as much as I love foraging, this doesn’t bother me too much as I love skiing even more (see last post for my comparison of the two). However, after a recent shoulder injury, and being forced to take some time off from skiing, it is certainly getting harder to not focus on that first spring time walk through the woods. Those fresh earthly smells and sights are always a welcome change after an often long and harsh winter in Vermont.
The change is on it’s way, it will come, it always does.
Yes, all things change, and the seasons are the greatest reminder of this. For as much snow as there is in Stowe right now, it will all soon be gone. Foraging will come, I must remind myself to just sit tight and be patient.
That first walk though the woods on the soft, thawed ground, teaming with life of all sorts is what I look forward to when skiing on Mt. Mansfield comes to an end. Although with this much snow (record breaking year), this magical first walk will surely come later than usual.
