| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Killington Peak, Mendon Peak, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Bucklin Trail, Long Trail, bushwhack, herd path, logging roads |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 27, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Nothing of note at Bucklin |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues on Bucklin, the water crossings where doable for Mendon but rotting |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Nothing of note |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A few doggoes out enjoying the day |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
A FINE day in the Greens was had. Trail conditions where great all the way up to the summit of Killington. I put spikes on pretty much right away as it was the most efficient mode of travel. Not a sidewalk, but not chopped up either. I can only remark on my ascent as I did not come down this way and there reportedly where about 5-6 folks coming down bare boots in the warm weather and where post holing it up. Was treated to a Brocken Spectre, fogbow and undercast simultaneously on the summit of Killington. No wind to speak of either. I put snowshoes on here, as the last pitch to the summit from treeline was not something I wanted to do in just spikes - serious pucker factor there. From the summit, I dropped most of the way down the summit spur and then headed south on the Long Trail.I drew the golden ticket and was route finding and breaking. Though it was mostly hard crust here and I was floating on a good bit of it. I am a little off in spots, but it gets you there. Ignore skiier tracks. I whacked till a spot north of Little Killington, more or less due West from Mendon and dropped down to an old logging road. I was surprised to find a trough that far up and past the turn off for Mendon. I followed it for a while until it started to peel off downhill and took a bearing to the summer herd path more or less. I seemed to be allergic to a straight line and kept creeping uphill, but it gets you there. Its all open woods so moving was great, aside from being lower the temps rose and there was some epic post holes had in snowshoes - but then i'd float. It was post hole roulette more or less. I eventually found what IS the summer herd path, but you couldn't really tell. No evidence of anyone being there yet with snow on the ground. I found the canister eventually which was completely iced over and decided to just leave it. I was able to make my way back in short order and eventually got myself back to the logging road and back on the trough, but it was super unconsolidated and I was basically post holing for the 3+ miles out. I apologize. It definitely was a work out but it was a great day none the less. If you're looking to vulture Mendon, give it a few days to let the snow freeze up and then it should be good. You will absolutely need snowshoes, as mentioned, I likely have been the only one there this winter. |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-01-28 |
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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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