Sharing the name of one of the more celebrated (and visited) mountains in Vermont, Hogback Mountain in Stowe is most notable for its lesser and more often visited summit, Stowe Pinnacle, and the views provided by the more well-known summits such as Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield.

Hogback lies between Mount Hunger and Mount Worcester in the Worcester Range. A majority of the Worcester range is owned and controlled by the Putnam State Forest.

Because the Worcester Range is not part of the Long Trail, and there are many direct routes to the neighboring mountain summits, the summit of Hogback should be considered “off the beaten path”. While a trip to the wooded peak provides ample views of the surrounding ranges, the summit is heavily wooded and off-trail; so true summit baggers will need GPS to locate the peak.

The most direct route to Hogback’s summit begins at the parking area for Stowe Pinnacle, however, it can be reached from the summits of either Mount Worcester or Hunger using the skyline trail.

To reach Upper Hollow Road take VT-100 to the town of Stowe. In downtown Stowe turn east on School Street. At 0.3 miles bear right onto Stowe Hollow Road. As you wind up Stowe Hollow Road you will reach an intersection. Head straight, as the road becomes Upper Hollow Road. Upper Hollow Road crosses a small brook and continues to wind, stay right, and at 2.5 miles from School Street, you will see a small parking lot on the left-hand side of the road.

The lot holds approximately 10 cars; parking is allowed on the side of the road.

The C.C. Putnam State Forest is the fifth largest State Forest in Vermont. Most of the 13,633-acre forest consists of one contiguous parcel of 12,855 acres in size. C.C. Putnam State Forest is primarily mountainous terrain extending over nine miles along the Worcester Mountains. The forest spreads into the towns of Elmore and Stowe in Lamoille County, and the towns of Middlesex, Waterbury, and Worcester in Washington County. Elevations range from 500 to 3,642 feet above sea level creating a diversity of cover types including northern hardwoods, white birch, spruce-fir, white and red pine plantations, and a variety of sub-alpine conditions on five major peaks. These peaks are the so-called third range of the Green Mountains.

A total of 4,014 acres of C.C. Putnam State Forest are a designated Natural Area. Of this area, 3,391 acres are above 2,500 feet in elevation; the remaining 82 acres surround Moss Glenn Falls in the town of Stowe.

There are 5 trailheads that access the many miles of hiking trails within C.C. Putnam State Forest. On the west side of the forest, the Waterbury Trail in Waterbury leads to the summit of Mount Hunger, the two trailheads for the Pinnacle Trail in Stowe will take you to the summit of the Stowe Pinnacle. On the east side, the Worcester Trail in Worcester takes you up to the summit of Mount Worcester, and the trailhead in Middlesex will take you to the summit of White Rocks and Mount Hunger. The summits of Mount Hunger, Stowe Pinnacle, and Mount Worcester are connected by the Skyline Trail, making this a very popular spot for hiking, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing. Although Mount Hunger is not the highest of the five peaks, it is by far the most popular. Its bald summit affords spectacular views to the east, south, and west. Almost every peak in the Green Mountain Range is visible including Whiteface, Camel’s Hump, Killington, and Mount Mansfield on its northern end. Beyond this range, one may catch a glimpse of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Many peaks of the White Mountains are visible on the horizon to the east.

Because of its size and rugged terrain, C.C. Putnam State Forest retains its sense of remoteness even though the forest is only one-half to one hour away from major metropolitan areas. The forest is home to many species of wildlife including bears, deer, grouse, beaver, mink, coyote, fisher, and many other game and non-game species. An ever-increasing population of moose finds the habitat within this forest very suitable to their needs as well.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Hogback Mountain.