NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mendon Peak, Killington Peak, VT
Trails
Trails: Old logging roads, herd paths, Long Trail, Killington Spur, Bucklin Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, July 25, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: You can skip the first two water crossings on the old logging roads if you take the high bypass. All four were easily passed, but rock hoping was not the easiest so I just walked through it. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The old logging roads and herd path to Mendon Peak and then continuing on to Killington Peak are littered with blowdowns. These are not official trails and usually a solid herd path has formed around them that is easy enough to follow. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: The Killington Spur Trail is short and steep with a lot of scrambles. Be ready to help. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Old logging roads, Herd Path, Old Logging Roads, Herd Path, Long Trail, Killington Spur, Long Trail, Bucklin Trail

The bushwhack to Mendon Peak was easier to follow than some defined trails in the White Mountains. They really should just make it a legit trail. I gave up using the compass and GPS after a while as the herd path was just so easy to follow. At the start of the herd path off just after the third cairn on the old logging road there are some orange ribbons, but they are not reliable once you get about a 1/3 of the way in and a bunch of blowdowns make the herd path slightly harder to follow. Just look around carefully and you will eventually see it.

The view from the east ledges of Mendon Peak are very nice and peaceful. Killington Peak has a great view, but it has tourists crowds that take the lift up.

This is a good loop trail to nail a New England 100 Highest and a New England 4000 footer.  
Name
Name: BobTheLoveGoat 
E-Mail
E-Mail: BobTheLoveGoat at yahoo dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-07-28 
Link
Link: https://lovegoatfilms.blogspot.com/2015/07/visiting-two-of-rutlands-finer-places.html 
Bookmark and Share 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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