Rock Point is a natural destination just past North Beach and a short walk from Rock Point School. It features a breathtaking view of Lake Champlain to one side, and the Champlain Thrust Fault provides a unique look into Vermont’s geologic history to the other. From the first time I visited it, Rock Point brought me a sense of immense serenity and comfort, and I knew I would take any opportunity to go back there. My favorite place to sit at Rock Point is what I call “chair rock,” where there is a ridge in the rock that cradles your back and forms the perfect seat!
The Journey to Rock Point is made uniquely accessible through a variety of transportation options. In fact, you don’t even need a car to visit this natural treasure! Line seven of Vermont’s public bus system makes a stop directly across from Burlington High School, which leaves only a pleasant twenty minute walk to the Rock Point hiking trail. In warmer seasons, you can even opt to take a trip down the Burlington bike path from downtown, either on foot or wheels. Once you pass Rock Point School, continue down that same road until you reach a map showing the various trails you can take. Walk to the left of that sign, continue straight for about five minutes, and then take a right when you reach the section of wooden fence in front of the open plot of land within the forest. At this fence, take a right and you will find yourself on the short hiking trail that leads you straight to the water’s edge!
Of the woody plants at Rock Point, the most prominent trees along the shoreline are Green Ash and Northern White Cedar (as pictured below in Figures 1 and 2). Closer to the thrust fault and further to the left of the shoreline entrance in a more heavily wooded area, you can find Buckthorn, Honeysuckle, American Beech, Sugar Maple, and Red Maple as well.
Lowering our eyes to focus on ground level vegetation, we find that amidst large green leaves there are small clusters of white flowers, and even smaller plants with vibrant red berries growing on them.
As has become common in today’s society, Lake Champlain is beginning to reflect the consequences of human mistreatment of the earth’s resources. That is, the cyanobacteria starting to collect on the water’s surface along the shoreline is now so prominent that the water is beginning to adopt a pea-green film in certain places (as shown below).
Rock Point From a Bird’s-Eye View
