Book excerpt: Discover the best hikes in the Green Mountain State, all doable in a day or less, with this indispensable book from the Appalachian Mountain Club-the definitive source on hiking in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Fully updated and revised, the second edition of Best Day Hikes in Vermont features 60 of the state's top treks for all ability levels, from recommended stretches of the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail to Mount Olga in southern Vermont and Mount Independence along Lake Champlain, near the Canadian border. This edition also features new hikes, including Bald, Bromley, Haystack, and Belvidere mountains; Grout Pond and Somerset Reservoir; Barr Hill; and Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. An at-a-glance trip planner makes it easy to find the best trails for families, dogs, snowshoeing, Cross-country skiing, and more. Both visitors and locals alike will delight in exploring Vermont's natural beauty with AMC as a companion. 60 Hiking routes for all ability levels and seasons, At-a-glance trip planner to help you find the hike that's right for you, Summaries of time, distance, and difficulty level for each hike, GPS Coordinates for trailheads, Detailed maps showing parking areas, trails, and natural highlights, Hiking and safety tips, including advice on what to carry in your pack, Essays on the nature and history of the region. Book jacket.