| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mendon Peak, Killington Peak, Pico Peak, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Logging roads, bushwhack, Long Trail, Killington Spur, Sherburne Pass, Pico Spur, ski trails |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 29, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Left a few cars at Sherburne Pass Lot across from the Long Trail Inn (lot is plowed but super icy) and then drove to Bucklin Trail Lot on Wheelerville Road (lot is plowed and kind of icy). The last time we were there Wheelerville Road was closed just south of the culling Trail Lot but it is now open the entire length - made it easy to get to Rutland after the hike. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
We were able to get across both of the river crossings rather easily by going rock to rock. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The Long Trail and Sherburne Pass are littered with blow downs and fallen branches - too many to count. We were able to get over, under, or around them rather easily. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
We had a dog with us and she did fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
Did this one with Monica and the Random Group of Hikers.
Mendon would be the hardest. You begin by following series of old logging roads before heading off into the woods to make your own route. Once we got past the second river crossing all signs of anyone being there before us disappeared. The snow shoes went on. We had to break out our own trail, first to the summit and then towards Killington. Instead of dropping back down we got to the 3700 foot elevation line and went to the Long Trail through mostly open woods just north of Little Killington.
The trip to Pico seemed to take forever - there is a trail between Killington and Pico but there were no signs that anyone had been on that section, so we again took turns breaking through the crusty snow with every other step. It was also littered with fallen branches which further slowed us down. The final 1/4 mile to the top along a ski trail felt like heaven. Since it was late and the ski area was closed we made a quick and easy descent down the ski trails.
#rndmhkrs |
|
 | Name: |
Michael and Monica |
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 | E-Mail: |
michaelfblair@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-29 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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