| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Pico Peak, Killington Peak, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Sherburne Pass Trail, Pico Spur, Long Trail, Killington Spur, ski trails |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
None - large parking lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water crossings easy, trails are clear of snow and ice. Just a bit wet from the heavy shower in the early morning. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Excellent shape over all. Only one blowdown, a duck-under. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No hazards. |
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 | Bugs: |
They are OUT! Black flies, no mosquitos to speak of. Didn't bite in the morning, but did in the PM as it became hot and muggy. No ticks spotted. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We parked at the height of land on US 4 and took the old LT, admiring the disappearing brook about ½ mile in. It had been many years since any of us had been up that trail, so when we reached the first ski trail, we opted to follow the maintenance road up and then around the shoulder. In the thick fog we overshot the old trail where it ducks back into the trees but quickly realized our error, and followed it thru an area of massive blowdowns to the junction with the new LT. Someone(s) had done an excellent job with a chainsaw (great to see common sense at work - wish the grand poohbahs in NH had even a smidgeon of it) with only one new blowdown remaining which was a duck under. Overall, the trails were in excellent shape - well-blazed, wide corridors, and good erosion control. At the stone shelter, two took the trail straight up while I curved around to the left, past the outhouse, and on to the top of the chairlift, above which is an amazing long wooden staircase, curving up and around to the main Killington chair. Were hoping the restaurant was open, but found that it was in the process of being completely rebuilt. Contractor staff said the completion date was Fall. On the summit of Killington we found a crew building a new tower, which would support the existing gear. On the way back we took ski trails, staying on the far left, until shortly after the original Snowden chair, and then re-connected with the LT which was about 150’ into the woods. As we passed Pico we took the spur trail - marked by a blue arrow - to the summit, and the ski trails back down to the LT. We decided to check-out the condition of the Pico shelter, and were pleased to find it in excellent shape and well-visited. We doubled-back, and headed down. Lots of trillium, bloodroot, star flowers and many other varieties, and the large variety of birds. We saw a couple of rabbits on Pico summit in partial color change-over.
Thanks to Al and Bill for a great day in the Vermont woods. Can’t get enough of those balsam smells. |
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 | Name: |
krooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-05-22 |
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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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