| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
White Rock Mountain, Mt. Hunger, North Hunger, Mt. Putnam, South Worcester, Mt. Worcester, VT |
|
 | Trails: |
Middlesex Trail, Bob Kemp Trail, White Rock Trail, Skyline Trail, Worcester Mountain Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 5, 2013 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The dirt access roads to both parking lots may be tough for cars with low clearance. Only one other car. Probably a lot less popular than the trails on the other side. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
On Middlesex Trail, rock hops. On Worcester Trail, increasingly difficult crossings due to late afternoon storm. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good shape from a blowdown perspective. Skyline Trail recently worked on. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Not much water on the ridge, so good idea to bring extra for the pups. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Some black flies and mosquitoes down low. Deer flies were quite vexing from Putnam to Worcester, but disappeared with the torrential downpours. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Some sort of a black vest hanging on a tree, I think between Mt. Hunger and Putnam Mountain. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Hodgepodge of conditions, but generally wet from the continued monsoon.
Lower portion of Middlesex Trail alternated between wet and dry with some minor mud and some water running on the trail. The ledges around White Rock Mountain were dry. Similar conditions between there and Mt. Hunger.
Heading north from Mt. Hunger, the ledges were extremely slippery due to the humidity. There were also quite a few mud pits from this ridiculous rain.
The ledges weren't quite as treacherous by the time we made it to Worcester, but they still needed to be passed with care. The ridge as a whole was a lot rougher than the GMC 80 foot contour map looks. Lots of ups and downs, some deep cols, and a minor segment disagreement (between GMC map, Map Adventures map, and trail signs).
Nice ledge views from White Rock, Hunger, and Worcester.
The skies opened up as we descended Worcester, resulting in an intense downpour for a good half hour. Streams swelled, waterbars were jumped by runoff, trails flooded, etc. Yikes!
If you remove the railgrade portions (of the about to be mentioned comparison hike), this Worcester Range hike is easily more strenuous than a Bonds traverse in New Hampshire. Especially on a hot, humid day. |
|
 | Name: |
rocket21 |
|
 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2013-07-05 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/Vermont/whiterockmtn-2013-0705.php |
|
|
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. |
|
