Sherburne Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sherburne Pass |
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Sherburne Pass on U.S. Route 4
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| Elevation | 2,150 feet (660 m) |
| Traversed by |  U.S. Route 4 |
| Location | Killington, Rutland County, Vermont, United States |
| Range | Green Mountains |
| Coordinates | 43°39.82′N 72°49.98′W / 43.66367°N 72.83300°W |
| Topo map | USGS Pico Peak |
Sherburne Pass is a special spot in the Green Mountains of Vermont. It's like a natural gateway between two mountains: Pico Peak to the south and Deer Leap Mountain to the north. This pass is about 2,150 feet (655 meters) high.
The highest point of the pass is in a town called Killington. But if you're coming from the west, the climb up starts in the town of Mendon.
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Sherburne Pass: A Mountain Gateway
Where is Sherburne Pass?
Sherburne Pass is located in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont. It acts as a natural low point or "pass" between two higher peaks. To the south, you'll find Pico Peak, which stands tall at about 3,957 feet. To the north, there's Deer Leap Mountain, reaching about 2,782 feet.
This important pass is crossed by U.S. Route 4, a main road that helps people travel through this mountainous area.
Water's Journey: East and West
Water flows in different directions from Sherburne Pass, depending on which side it falls. On the east side, rain and melting snow drain into Kent Brook. This brook then flows into the Ottauquechee River. From there, the water joins the Connecticut River and eventually reaches the Long Island Sound in Connecticut.
On the west side of the pass, water flows into Mendon Brook. This brook then connects to East Creek, which leads to Otter Creek. Otter Creek empties into Lake Champlain. From Lake Champlain, the water travels north into the Richelieu River in Québec, then into the Saint Lawrence River, and finally into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It's like a grand journey for a tiny drop of water!
Fun on Pico Mountain
Pico Mountain is right next to Sherburne Pass, on its south side. Since 1997, Pico Mountain has been part of the Killington Ski Resort. This means you can find ski lifts running from U.S. Route 4 all the way up to the top of Pico Peak. It's a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding in the winter!
Famous Hiking Trails
Sherburne Pass is also a key spot for two very famous long-distance hiking trails. These trails attract hikers from all over the world.
The Long Trail
The Long Trail (LT) is a hiking path that runs for about 272 miles. It stretches all the way through Vermont, from the border with Massachusetts up to Québec. This trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains. The Long Trail crosses U.S. Route 4 about half a mile west of the highest point of Sherburne Pass.
The Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is an even longer trail, about 2,170 miles in total! It goes from Georgia all the way to Maine. South of Sherburne Pass, the Appalachian Trail actually follows the same path as the Long Trail. They are together for a while.
Changes to the Trails
North of U.S. Route 4, the Appalachian Trail splits off from the Long Trail. This split happens about a mile north of the road, at a place called Maine Junction. From there, the AT heads east towards New Hampshire and the White Mountains.
Years ago, both the AT and LT used to cross U.S. Route 4 right at the highest point of Sherburne Pass. They also used to split on the east side of Deer Leap Mountain. In 1999, the trails were moved to their current paths on the west side of Pico Mountain. The old route of these trails is now a blue-marked path called the Sherburne Pass Trail.
