| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Signal Mountain, Burnt Mountain, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Gore Road, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, January 16, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Vermont Cadastral government map indicates that Gore Road has a town easement through all the private property, despite signs seeming to forbid entry at the end of the town-maintained section (parking is forbidden at that place though - I ended up walking most of Gore Road from near its bottom where I found an unposted place to park). Some distance above the last of the private driveways along the (unposted) road, there is a gate and a sign indicating entry into timber land and permitting day-use foot travel (motorized vehicles forbidden). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Just the usual little streams here and there, no problem to cross |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Much of the route goes along an old road - first Gore Road in Plainfield, then a woods road further up (marked on the topo map). There is the occasional blowdown here and there once the road begins climbing along the N side of Burnt Mountain, but it's easy to follow. The road ends at the saddle between Burnt and Signal, and you must go cross-country from there to both peaks. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs would love the road and the open woods. |
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 | Bugs: |
All hibernating at the moment.... |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
West approach via Gore Road (Plainfield)
Most people climb Signal from the east, as access is more straightforward that way. I was curious about the western approach, so did research to determine if it was a good way to go (see access notes above). It's a few miles in along Gore Road - crusty snow a few inches deep, increasing to about 1/2 foot even near the top, with deeper drifts. Microspikes might be good for the part of Gore Road above the town-maintained section, but are not really needed otherwise. I did carry snowshoes, but they're overkill until we get more snow.
The woods are wonderfully open on the upper mountain - Signal is one of the more open-wooded bushwhack peaks I've done in the Northeast USA. It is a fantastic winter climb. Cold on top of Signal - about 15-20 degrees, with the entire mountain top covered in hoarfrost. Two summit contenders about 25 yards apart. Canister was frozen shut. I did see an ermine during my lunch break there, that was very cool.
Burnt (also very open woods) has two glacial erratics for its summit, the eastern one may be the highest (it's hard to climb both - I didn't try). There is a large open glade on the SW side of Burnt's summit area, but no view today - another reason to return, since I live nearby!
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 | Name: |
Dan Saxton |
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 | E-Mail: |
daniel.saxton7@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-01-16 |
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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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