C.H.Diegel Photography

09/11/2026

What do you think about this?

The start of something new

We’re excited to announce that we’re joining Indy Pass!

“Smuggs, Bear Den and Indy share a commitment to independent mountains, families, affordability and protecting the character of the skiing and riding experience. We believe this partnership can introduce more people to what makes Smuggs special while preserving the experience our resort guests, passholders and homeowners have valued for generations.”

- Brandon Swartz, Smugglers’ Notch GM

What does this mean for me?

If you’re a Smuggs Passholder…
Our Comfortable Carrying Capacity isn’t going anywhere. We will continue to preserve the quality ski and ride experience that you are used to. If you are interested in purchasing an Indy Add-on Pass, they are on sale while supplies last.

If you’re an Indy Passholder…
We’re excited to welcome you! For 26/27, there will be no blackout dates, but advanced reservations will be required.

If you have additional questions, you can head to https://www.indyskipass.com/our-resorts/smugglers-notch-resort or email [email protected]

09/10/2026

Labor Day has always been really quiet at The Artisan Shop, so Tara and I decided to close for the day and go for a hike together. Wright’s Mountain in Bradford had been on my list of hikes I’ve wanted to do for quite a while, and we got an absolutely perfect day for it.

We departed the trailhead via the Wright’s Mountain Trail and stopped to enjoy some of the many benches along the way to the summit overlook. It was hard to leave the vista. It was such a gorgeous day, we could have spent all afternoon there if we didn’t have an agenda.

From the cabin, we continued on the Wright’s Mountain Trail to check out Devil’s Den, a unique cave feature located on the mountain. We reached the cave via the Ernie’s and Chase Hollow Trails. For such a small mountain, it has a good network of trails that allows for lots of route options.

After leaving Devil’s Den, we returned to the summit overlook for sunset via the Ernie’s and Sylvia’s Trails, arriving in plenty of time to kick back and relax before sunset. As golden hour neared, a thick band of clouds hugged the western horizon, and it seemed like a good sunset would be unlikely.

After what was kind of a dud of a sunset, we were packing up and getting ready to start down the trail when we noticed dusk was beginning to illuminate the clouds with a warm glow. We stopped to appreciate it, only for the color in the sky to continue to grow more vibrant. We were very close to missing the beautiful red hues that developed in the western sky.

If you’re looking for a moderate hike with lots of loop options and numerous places to stop and enjoy the views from comfy trailside benches, be sure to put Wright’s Mountain on your list.

09/08/2026

This image is the result of a happy accident. Tara and I took Labor Day off so we could go hiking together on Wright’s Mountain in Bradford. The big overlook view comes relatively early in the hike, and while we were up there, I used the PhotoPills app and discovered that it lined up well with sunset.

We continued on our hike, but further down the trail, I discovered that I had packed my hammock straps but left my hammock back at the overlook. The mountain has a large network of trails, so I looked at the map and planned a route that would have us on the summit for sunset.

We enjoyed a peaceful evening back at the overlook. We even had it to ourselves the whole time. Unfortunately, sunset was pretty much a dud. We were packing up and about to start back down the trail when the light of dusk began to glow warmly on the horizon. We decided to pause for a few minutes to enjoy it. With each passing moment, the color in the sky began to increase until I knew it was time to break the camera back out.

09/07/2026

We’re taking today off to hit the trails. See you Tuesday at 11 a.m.!

09/06/2026

We’re taking Monday off to hit the trails. See you Tuesday at 11 a.m.!

09/05/2026

If you want to learn more about hiking Big Deer Mountain, be sure to check out my latest video. ⬇️

09/02/2026

I had a nasty bug last week, and I still wasn’t feeling 100% on Monday. It was the only day I had free to go for a hike, and I didn’t want to stay home, but I also didn’t want to pick anything too challenging. I decided Big Deer Mountain in Groton State Forest was a perfect match for the amount of effort I felt up to.

I started my hike at the Osmore Pond Picnic Area in New Discovery State Park by heading south on the Osmore Pond Loop Trail. The walk along the shore is enjoyable, with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the pond.

After taking an extended break at the pond outlet, I continued on to the four-way trail junction just past a footbridge over the creek. This is where we leave the Osmore Pond Loop Trail to follow the trail signage toward Big Deer Mountain.

After nearly a mile of gentle climbing, we reach the junction with the Big Deer Mountain Trail and the final 0.34 miles to the summit. Once on the summit, there are two overlooks to explore. The East Overlook is down a short, unmarked spur trail on your left. The South Overlook can be reached by following the trail to its conclusion.

If you’re looking for a moderate-to-easy hike with great pond and mountaintop views, then Big Deer Mountain is a great choice. If you have more time, Groton State Forest is home to a good collection of gentle hikes with lovely views of this treasured corner of Vermont.

08/29/2026

One of my favorite things about watching a sunset from a mountaintop is seeing the mountain’s shadow stretching out toward the horizon.

This view includes Noyes Pond and Seyon Lodge State Park in the foreground. You might be able to make out the church steeple in Groton, Vermont, in the midground, where the mountain’s shadow meets the light. The eastern horizon is dominated by New Hampshire’s Mount Lafayette and the Franconia Ridge.

08/28/2026

I took a wonderful sunset hike to the Spruce Mountain Fire Tower in Plainfield, Vermont, with the goal of spending a few hours on the summit and hopefully catching some beautiful golden-hour light.

Our route begins with an easy walk along an old road. At about a mile, we reach the junction with the Darling Trail, where the character of the hike changes. From here, the trail becomes rockier and rougher.

Just before the trail begins to steepen, we come to a wetland area that makes for a nice place to stop and catch your breath. The trail is really well designed, with gentle grades that make it hard to believe you’re climbing nearly 1,200 feet over the course of the hike.

I arrived at the summit around 5:00 and had a couple of hours to kill before golden hour. I had some dinner, explored the summit area, and enjoyed a little downtime while waiting for the light.

When the evening finally started to unfold, I discovered that a nearly bulletproof band of clouds was covering the western horizon. I knew the show would be over once the sun reached that moisture layer. The only question was whether the light would do anything dramatic before it got there.

The answer came quickly—and it was an emphatic “yes.”

Crepuscular rays began pouring through breaks in the cloud layer, creating an incredible display across the landscape. The image featured in this video was captured during the only moment of the evening when the foreground was illuminated by that sweet golden-hour light.

Sometimes the best photographs happen when the conditions look like they’re working against you.

Thanks for joining me on the hike to the Spruce Mountain Fire Tower. I hope you enjoy what I captured from this incredible evening.

08/26/2026

When I reached the top of the Spruce Mountain Fire Tower on Monday evening, I let out some colorful metaphors when I discovered there was a bulletproof band of clouds covering the western horizon. I knew it would all be over once the sun reached that moisture layer. The only question was: would the light do anything dramatic before it got there?

The answer came quickly, and it was an emphatic “yes” as crepuscular rays began pouring through the breaks in the cloud layer. The image captured here was the only moment of the evening when the foreground was illuminated in sweet golden-hour lighting.

Stay tuned—I have so much more to share from this incredible evening.