Eshqua Bog and Quechee Gorge

Trip Reports

Mon Jun 23 2025 Eshqua Bog and Quechee Gorge by Phyllis Rubenstein

On Monday, June 23, three of us got an early morning start to beat the heat and explore Eshqua Bog and Quechee Gorge. Eshqua Bog, which is actually a rich fen, had a spectacular display of hundreds of showy lady’s slippers. After getting our fill of the lady’s slippers and other fen plants, we hiked the 1-mile loop trail through the woods. Then we drove to Quechee Gorge, where we first hiked to Dewey Mill Pond, which has a stunning view down the gorge. We stopped for lunch at a picnic table in the shade and then hiked to the bottom of the gorge. At the end of our hike on this very hot day, we cooled off in the Quechee Gorge Visitor Center and enjoyed its historical display, which begins with the retreat of the glaciers, and continues to the first indigenous peoples, early settlers, logging, woolen mill, railroad bridge, and the building of the current auto road. Despite the heat, we spent several enjoyable hours outdoors.