Frequently Asked Questions about the Upper Access Cottages

Because most people reserve the cottages without an opportunity to see them first, we have compiled answers to the most common questions. Needless to say, if you have questions or concerns not covered here, please call or e-mail

Q. Are any of the cottages in a private, isolated area?

A. No. The locations in both Fletcher and Hinesburg are pleasantly rural areas, but have other cottages and residences nearby. Owned lake frontage is fairly short on both lakes. There is plenty of room for your use of the lakes but you may well see other swimmers or boaters while you are enjoying the water.

Q. Do the cottages have clean running water and full bathrooms?

A. The running water for the both of the Hinesburg cottages and Fletcher cottages 1 and 3 comes from deep wells, not the lakes. Fletcher cottage #4 has tap water that comes from the lake, but pure bottled drinking water is provided.

Q. What are the swimming areas like?

A. In Hinesburg, the lake bottom is gravel and stone; a little less comfortable on the feet than sand, so for standing and playing in the water you might want to consider bringing waterproof swimming sandals or shoes. Where you enter the water, it's about chest-high for a three-year-old (varying a little depending on the time of year), and deepens gradually, so it's safe for children under adult supervision. You can also jump off the dock, although it does not extend out to deep enough water for diving.

For visitors to the Hinesburg 1 cottage, we also provide a complimentary pass to the public beach, a short drive away. (The beach is free, but the pass is needed to park your car there.)

In Fletcher, the private lake frontage shared by cottages # 1 and 3 is next to a small public swimming access. The bottom is clay with sand and stones. It gets a little mushy in places, but most people find it comfortable. Some people may prefer to use swimming shoes. The water stays shallow far from shore, so it's a safe place for young children to swim as long as they have reasonable adult supervision. The Fletcher 4 cottage opens up right on the lake, but the water is also shallow for a long distance from shore. If you're a good swimmer, you might enjoy taking one of the boats out to deep water and jumping in there.

Because both lakes are small (and Metcalf particularly so), the water is warmer than in larger lakes, such as nearby Lake Champlain.

Q. What is the fishing like?

A. Both lakes have excellent reputations for fishing. They are similar in that regard. Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after fish on both lakes, and quite common. For those looking to catch larger fish, both lakes offer large-size pickerel (or northern pike). There are numerous panfish, such as pumpkinseeds. But as with the vast majority of other lakes, the most common fish you will catch will be perch.

Q. Where do I get a Vermont fishing license?

A. The Town Clerk's offices, in either Hinesburg or Fletcher, are among the many places to purchase a fishing license. They can also be purchased in area stores. However, you can save vacation time by purchasing a license ahead of time on line, at the Vermont Fish and Game Department site. The link for this is http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/licenses.cfm .

Q. Is the lake water clear?

A. Both lakes are clean, but, like most other lakes in Vermont, they have been infested with a form of seaweed known as Eurasian Milfoil. We'd rather not have it, and we have meetings on how to reduce it. But overall, it's a relatively minor nuisance on two very nice lakes.

Q. How hard is it to get back and forth between the cottages and the lake frontage?

A. From the Hinesburg Cottage #1, you'll walk down a very short hill, with a choice of a path or stairs on the steeper parts. This may be somewhat challenging for the elderly, people with moderate disabilities, or very young children. In that case, you may drive your car between the cottage and the lake frontage. The driving route is very roundabout, but it makes the lake accessible for those who might otherwise have difficulty.

Hinesburg Cottage #2 has a lawn that is directly on the lake.

In Fletcher, the frontage and dock are very close, and easily visible from both cottages # 1 and 3, but across a quiet country road. Cottage #4 is directly on the lake.

Q. Is the heating system sufficient in each cottage if it gets chilly?

A. Both of the Hinesburg cottages and Fletcher cottage #1 are cozy in even the coldest winter weather. Fletcher cottages #3 and 4 are comfortable for three seasons, but not well enough insulated to be comfortable in winter.

Q. Are laundry facilities included?

A. A washer and dryer are provided in Fletcher #1, Fletcher #3, and Hinesburg #2, but not in the others. There is a laundromat in Hinesburg Village and one in Jeffersonville. Ample quantities of clean sheets and towels are provided in each location.

Q. Is there a private telephone?

A. Yes, in each cottage. We do not post the phone numbers on the Web, out of respect for the privacy of guests, but of course we'll give you the numbers once you have made reservations so that you can inform friends and family how to reach you. If you make long-distance calls that will be charged to the cottage phone, please provide a credit-card number so that we can charge them when the bill comes in. In that case, we will mail the receipt, with a copy of the phone bill to verify the charges, to your home address.

Q. Will my cell phone work from the areas where these cottages are located?

A. Cell phone reception is generally less than ideal in the immediate vicinity of any of the cottages. It varies depending on what carrier you use, of course. Therefore, be sure to give the cottage phone numbers to anybody who might need to reach you in an emergency. You can also give them our phone number (802/482-2988) so that we can pass along any emergency messages if they can't reach you.

Q. What is the TV reception like?

A. The televisions in each cottage are basic models nothing fancy. Satellites are installed for reception of quite a few channels in all three Fletcher cottages and in Hinesburg Cottage #2. Hinesburg Cottage #1 does not have cable or satellite. It has a rooftop antenna with a rotor, and receives two to four channels. Each cottage has a DVD player.

Q. Is there computer access?

A. Yes. Each cottage now has WiFi.

Q. Are there restaurants nearby?

A. Hinesburg has a popular family-type restaurant, Papa Nick's, which offers excellent home-style cooking at very reasonable prices. The village also includes two smaller restaurants—one with pizzas and subs, with live music on some summer evenings, and another that is primarily a bar. For the Fletcher area, there are several nice restaurants in nearby Jeffersonville and Fairfax. If you're looking for a great dining experience, you may wish to drive a little farther to the greater Burlington area, which has a huge variety of good places to eat.

Q. Is there good shopping nearby?

A. For guests at the Hinesburg cottage, if you're looking for basic provisions, you can find them in Hinesburg village (a three-mile drive), If you want to shop at a big-box store, they've all been built in Williston, about 10 miles away.

Guests in Fletcher will find good shopping in the nearby towns of Jeffersonville and Cambridge (each about a six-mile drive). The closest store with supermarket-type selections and prices is Cambridge Village Store.

For a more varied shopping experience, you may wish to drive to Burlington and spend a day at its Church-Street Marketplace. You may find other shopping ideas on our Vermont Links page.

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