| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mendon Peak, Killington Peak, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Logging roads, herd paths, old woods roads, bushwhacks, Long Trail, Killington Spur, Bucklin Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 19, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room in the Bucklin Trailhead parking area when starting and finishing the hike. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing of Eddy Brook was running somewhat high, but was rock hopped with care (and slightly submerged boots). |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The section of the hike from the Bucklin Trailhead to Mendon Peak to the LT near Killington Peak is either on unofficial trails or utilizes bushwhacking, so don't expect manicured, well beaten, easy to follow trails. That said, experienced hikers with good trail eyes should have minimal problems.
No issues of note encountered on the trailed portion of the hike. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The ascent of Mendon Peak from the Bucklin Trailhead was relatively straightforward- the logging roads to the Eddy Brook crossing were easy to follow (if overgrown in spots), and the herd path that beelined to the summit was followed without issue as well. No views from the outcrop near Mendon's summit due to cloud cover, and after I left that outcrop, the rain started coming down and didn't stop until about two miles from the trailhead.
Getting from Mendon to the Long Trail wasn't as straightforward, though. I followed the herd path from the summit down to a junction with the woods road route (which ends up going back to the Eddy Brook crossing), then veered right, passing a sled leaning against a tree, onto an old woods road that descended slightly to a less obvious fork. I took the right fork and went uphill a bit to a brook crossing; past the crossing, the woods road petered out and I began bushwhacking uphill, steeply at times, to another old woods road, which I followed for a while before veering right onto yet another old woods road. That one also petered out, and from there I bushwhacked all the way to the Long Trail, coming out onto it just south of the summit cone. From there, it was a standard trail hike to the top and back.
Mendon Peak was #81 on the New England Hundred Highest list for me, and I ended up liking it more than I thought I would. It felt very unspoiled and remote compared to nearby Killington Peak, and the cool, rainy, grey weather conditions made hiking/bushwhacking up to and down from the summit feel eerie, yet calming. |
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 | Name: |
Spencer |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-08-19 |
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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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