While riding the thermals which indolently rise off the low-laying Groton State Forest, it is possible to see how a soaring turkey vulture could be mistaken as it glides over the precipitous mountaintop ledge and casts its ominous shadow onto the land, only to manifest greatly enlarged beyond the scale of the prehistoric-appearing bird; perhaps this could have been “the devil” that was witnessed a century ago, consequently eponymously known as Devil’s Hill.

As the westerly winds blew through the void of conifers enclosing the mountaintop of the low ridge, that is just what we were welcomed to - the sound of the massive buzzards 6-foot wingspan shifting direction as they arc their path up and over the ridgetop. Devil’s Hill is located on the far edge of Groton State Forest; the hike originating in the town of Peacham, while the loop trail can also be accessed from the Peacham Bog Loop Trail and multi-use trails for a much longer trek.

At 0.9-miles down a rough dirt of Devil’s Hill Road a large hiker trailhead parking area can be found on the right, which accommodates 6-8 vehicles; signs request hikers to not park along the road as to block local residents. Across from the trailhead lot Claude Field Lane can be found, which leads to Martin’s Pond.

The path is well marked from start to finish and immediately has arrows indicating the trail begins down the dirt road and passes behind a large yellow gate. At 0.1-miles the trail veers right onto a well-maintained, old forest road as it begins a gradual 185’ ascent enroute to the first junction; trailside, large glacially deposited boulders can be found amidst the verdure of a budding hardwood forest.

Upon reaching the first intersection at 0.3-miles, dual arrows indicate the path now proceeds in both directions, thus beginning the loop trail. While according to reports, a counter-clockwise loop appears to be the more popular approach in which to reach the summit ridge and lookout area, however, we found just as much pleasure in a clockwise loop up Devil’s Hill.

To the left, the pathway follows atop more forest roads; slightly more grown-in despite a well-packed path meandering down the side, these multi-purpose trails are generally used for snowmobiling in winter months. The path follows southward as the main snowmobile corridor cuts through tall, mature conifers; for 0.1-miles along the wide path the trail proceeds until a low trailside sign indicates the divergence westward, onto a narrow footpath leading into the woods.

Beginning along a low angle, the budding hillside abounds in every shade of forest: lime-greens of the hardwoods and lower brush illuminate the understory while darker evergreens bring depth and shadow to the mountainside. Ascending the east flank of Devil’s Hill is made easier by a series of short-switchbacks up the slope, footing remaining very good all the while - demonstrating the commendable practice of trail management; this trail was closed recently due to mud season and as a result of, was dry with nearly indistinguishable amounts of erosion - a joy to navigate its soft paths.

As elevation is gained, fallen conifer needles blanket the packed soil; the reddish-tan needles contrasting beautifully with trailside mosses and evergreen boughs. Quickly reaching the 2,000’ ridgetop, the pathway meanders easterly of several bands of summit crags, at a point along the trail a restricted view of Martin’s Pond toward the east can be spotted through the trees. The high point of Devil’s Hill being off-trail atop a mound just west of the main trail. Today, a brief bushwhack brought us to the uneventful high point, at which point black flies encouraged our swift relocation into more open air, where the blood-sucking gnats could be whisked away by the gusting winds.

Arriving at what most would recognize to be the summit of Devil’s Hill, several low rocks can be found amidst the soft conifer needle bedding which had been home to several camping parties, the blackened stone showcasing evidence of past fires; as the mountaintop ledges face westerly, there is no doubt a stunning sunset could be captured from this vantagepoint.

A gap in the scrappy conifers guides the way to a long, gently sloping westerly ledge which contains several old names carved into the bedrock; from here the pyramidal peak of Spruce Mountain can be picked out as well as the eastern ledges of Big Deer Mountain; in the lowland, a darker band of spruce can be found encircling Peacham Bog. Swinging toward the north, Peacham Pond can be located; albeit faint, even Mount Mansfield and several northern Green Mountains can be picked out, although today, they nearly resembled dark, low clouds on the hazy horizon.

A faintly traveled herd path guides hikers several rods south of the main ledge; down a short washed-out section to another rocky ledge with similar views - perhaps a slightly wider southwesterly panorama can be found from the main ledge.

Once the fill of stunning scenery is had, the trail continues back into the woods, descending northward over relatively rugged and rocky footing which could prove treacherous in wet weather. The path soon tapers as it swings northeasterly, off the main summit ridge and begins showing signs of once being an old forest road. The wide footbed cuts through a beautifully dense mixed forest, becoming more virescent hardwood as one descends.

Shortly after passing a snowmobile corridor, the loop trail is complete and the initial road walk remains, guiding hikers gently downslope back to the trailhead parking lot just beyond the bright yellow gate.

An ascent of Devil’s Hill to view the gently rolling mountainscape of Central Vermont had been on my mind for quite some time. Upon hiking through Peacham Bog I knew then that I wanted to see the wetland from above. While a short hike, Devil’s Hill did not disappoint; the trail network was top-notch and completely enjoyable as we depart mud-season. The grand views from the summit ledges welcomed a beautiful breeze in which to take in the vast westerly panorama.

*Soft grade of lower Devil’s Hill Trail*

Truly a splendid ascent which beckons hikers to stick around for, to become immersed in incalculable shades of orange, red, green and blue pastel - as the retreating sun streaks paint brush strokes of heavenly sunset across the rolling landscape of central Vermont.

Overall stats for the day:
2.08-miles
1hr 2 minutes
538’ elevation gain

Devils Hill - 2,047’

Groton State Forest: Devil’s Hill

Northville-Placid Trail

Groton State Forest: Peacham Bog