| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Killington Peak, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Bucklin Trail, Long Trail, Killington Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Beautiful large parking lot with tall pines, on Wheelerville Road. The access road (Wheelerville Road) is an excellent dirt road which was very dry and solid with minimal pot holes. There was a sign, set aside, at the entrance to the road saying "road closed - local residents only," which I presume may have been for mud season. That was concerning but there were many people on that road today, at the trail and at many pullouts along the beautiful road. Not sure how early season hikers would be able to check on this road before driving out there. Maybe it is on a VT road list. Anyway for today at least it appeared to be open. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridges at lower elevations. Stepover small streams at middle elevations. A bit of water runoff on the trail at higher elevations. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I recall four blowdowns, one of which is certainly already known as it is huge and blocking the trail, with a go-around herd path on either side now. It is just above the cabin area I think. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies at the parking lot. Once on trail I saw no biting insects. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was my first VT 4,000 footer. The first two miles are not very rocky and rather level dirt ground, good for runners. I saw two trail runners. Beautiful woods with a lovely river. The third mile is a bit steeper but still moderate and easy to find footing. I enjoyed the trail this far but the final mile was my favorite because it was so interesting and beautiful and rocky. I like the rocks. The remainder snow and re-freeze started at 3600 feet. I put on microspikes because the snow was frozen enough to be firm and it was covering most of the middle of the trail at those sections. The two trail runners did not have spikes and they managed but I'd say most hikers would put the spikes on if they had them. The cabin was blocked off with orange tape. The summit is rocky with great views. I did not go up the fire tower but one of the trail runners told me it was locked anyway. Wildflowers were blooming. |
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 | Name: |
Rachel Whelton |
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 | E-Mail: |
rachelwhelton@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-05-07 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.youtube.com/rachelwhelton |
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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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