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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Haystack Mountain, Mt. Snow, VT
Trails
Trails: Haystack Trail, Ridge Trail, ski trails, service road
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, November 11, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parking is limited at Upper Dam Road/Haystack trailhead, with lots of dire warnings on the lower part of the Chimney Hill development warning against parking on the side of the road, but we did not have trouble parking on the roadside by the trailhead.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: There is a significant muddy bog along the ridge trail, ~150'long, no good detour. One of us got stuck up to the knees. Best approach is to aim for the grass hummocks and hope for the best. Bring extra socks, gloves, and a buddy in case you have to extract.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The unofficial trail along the ridge between Haystack and Snow hasn't been maintained in a long time but is still obvious/easy to follow. It's a wide swath, previously used for skiing/ snowmobiling but is becoming fast overgrown with spruce and fir saplings. Won't be too long before it becomes doghair thick--unless something is done. The official trail up Haystack is muddy in places, poor drainage.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: No dogs allowed on Mount Snow or base area--we were told at the bottom.  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Random Group of Hikers, party of 6. We hiked up Haystack then across the ridge on the unofficial trail, to the ski trails on Snow. We descended the north ski trails on Snow to the upper lift base on the north shoulder of the mountain, then exited east via a service road to the base of the ski area. Snowmaking was underway on Mt. Snow but there were still many trails not open yet. The service road was packed out by maintenance vehicles. About 2"-3" crusty snow all day, ice in steep spots. The notorious bog section along the ridge trail wasn't frozen. The old Haystack/Hermitage ski area is still closed despite the brand new ski infrastructure installed up there. Heard word that the redevelopment of the ski area failed and is in litigation. There is a marked trail with big hiking sign to Haystack Pond from the top of the Hermitage lift, but right beyond it a NT sign, Town of Wilmington water supply. Mixed messaging.  
Name
Name: BarefootPaul 
E-Mail
E-Mail: paulwgagnon@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-11-12 
Link
Link: https://www.meetup.com/rndmhkrs/events/255692394/?_xtd=gatlbWFpbF9jbGlja9oAJDRlMGE0YWU3LWNjNjYtNDY3Yy1hYjY4LTRhNmRkMzJhZjc1MA 
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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