Duxbury: Only local traffic on Camel’s Hump Road April 7-8

March 29, 2024  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

File photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Aiming to limit wear and tear on one of its most mud-season-challenged roads and with concern to limit visitors from venturing into the backcountry during the eclipse, Duxbury town officials this week said that Camel’s Hump Road will be closed on April 7 and 8. 

Only resident travel will be allowed between noon on Sunday, April 7, and 5 p.m. on Monday, April 8, the day of the total solar eclipse that will bring about two and a half minutes of total darkness starting just before 3:30 p.m.

In an announcement emailed to town residents on Friday, Selectboard Chair Richard Charland said the board is taking the unusual step “based on our concern for individuals attempting to travel to the summit of Camel’s Hump State Park to view the solar eclipse.” 

The state is expecting a surge of thousands of visitors for the extraordinary astronomical event. State and local emergency management agencies and first response organizations are urging people to refrain from venturing into the backcountry. Trails are typically closed this time of year due to melting snow, ice and muddy conditions to prevent trail damage. The conditions also make hiking difficult for even experienced outdoor enthusiasts. 

“Our concerns are a lack of parking at the trailhead with only the lower winter lot open, and the potential damage to an already fragile road from an unknown volume of traffic,” Charland wrote. 

Duxbury officials also heard from counterparts in Huntington – Camel’s Hump mountain straddles both towns – who said they also would restrict access to roads where popular trailheads are located. 

Signs will be posted in Bolton, at the Winooski Street Bridge from Waterbury, and at the base of Camel’s Hump Road, according to the Duxbury announcement. A member of the Duxbury road crew will be at the intersection of Camel’s Hump and River roads on Monday to provide information and directions, Charland said. 

The violation of a Road Closure posting carries a $100 fine which may be difficult to enforce by state police on April 8 given the increased level of activity, he noted. 

Town officials also ask local residents to be alert for visitors and to assist with passing along information when possible. 

Meanwhile in Waterbury, the only road closure planned is to block off River Road to the Ice Center overnight on Friday and Saturday to discourage overnight parking and camping as the rink has activities planned on Saturday and Sunday. The road will be open on Monday, April 8, and the public is welcome to view the eclipse there, according to town officials.

Rescue leader: Think “safety” before you think “eclipse”

The closure comes as local first responders also urge the public to limit their travels into wilderness areas given the trail conditions and unpredictable weather that bring potential for injuries, getting lost, etc. 

Waterbury Backcountry Rescue Team President Eric LaRose shared a letter on social media and to Waterbury Roundabout with a plea for people to “think ‘safety’ before you think ‘eclipse.’” 

Rescue resources will be stretched by the surge in population and activity, he said. Therefore people should avoid exploring into unknown and potentially hazardous conditions. 

“On April 8, the trails will likely be icy, snowy, muddy, and extremely difficult to navigate. Slippery conditions will increase the likelihood of falls and injuries. Given the unpredictable nature of Vermont weather in early April, any injury or illness could quickly escalate into a dangerous situation. These trails are not like those found in city parks; they demand the utmost caution and preparation,” LaRose writes. “Daylight hours are limited in April, and your descent may need to be completed mostly in darkness. Navigating treacherous terrain in low light conditions significantly increases the risk of accidents and getting lost.”

His message contains a blunt warning: “If you choose to hike despite our advice, it is imperative that you plan your own rescue… Do not expect a helicopter to come and rescue you. It will not happen. This is not TV.”

Michael Chiarella, director of Richmond Rescue and a member of the Camels Hump Backcountry Rescue Team, agrees. In a similar message to the community, he points out that many volunteer first responders work in health care and medical settings.

“The EMS and hospital systems are expected to be overloaded with the influx of visitors to northern Vermont,” he said. “In addition to having fewer staff available, we expect to have difficulty reaching trailheads due to traffic and encountering parking challenges once we arrive.”

Chiarella says he won’t be headed up a mountain for the eclipse. “I'm going to settle for viewing it from below with Camel’s Hump in the background,” he wrote.