| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mendon Peak, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Logging roads, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 7, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty left at Bucklin Trailhead parking at 8:15 am. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
easy. Crossing #1 was easy, crossing #2 was best done slightly upstream but fine with careful placement and poles. Crossing #3 was a rivulet and nonissue. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
While theoretically non-trailed, the extensive network of logging roads and, for the first 0.4 mi, concurrent Catamount Trail greatly simplified footing. The final 0.9 or so of the herd path got increasingly narrow but was fine - far better than some trails in the Whites eg. Kinsman Ridge from S. Weeks to Waumbek. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
better than expected although about half-way up we donned bug nets as the gnats were irritating. More flies at the false summit with the overlook but they weren't biting. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I hand-copied two sets of directions on "two left turns then a right after the split at 1.25 mi" path to guide us while also checking occasionally on OnX, CalTopo and AllTrails occasionally. Noting a higher footpath that avoided what some FB posts said was a muddy mile along the north bank of the river, we also decided to take that which added a few tenths/some gain each way. That upland diversion was actually a good one, however despite focusing on the directions for L/L/R turns, we still ended up on the wrong logging road that was too far north and heading toward Killington not Mendon, and it took us 0.7 mi each way to figure that out. All told both our diversions made this an 11+ trek than around 9 mi trek. I guess that's how you learn - you bumble and stumble your way forward and maybe, with luck and patience, you reach the hallowed canister of your desires. In a perverse way it was kind of fun to have to figure your way out of a jam, however small.
Apart from the area around 2.4 mi where our upland logging road joined with what I think is the usual track next to the river, the trails were dry and very easy.
While I know this may make Gene Daniels roll over in his grave, I enjoyed the small manmade signs that we were headed toward the summit. From "Walt's Camp" at the 0.65 mi point, to boot prints of a guy who did this two days ago, to the two small cairns on the switchbacks and the infamous smashed tin can and arrow made of fallen birch trees at the start of the herd path. Also spotted the ski sled and emergency cache not far down to the left. I also was delighted to traverse a little of the Catamount Trail, a path that's fascinated me since watching the documentary on a local skiier/activist ("300 Miles Melting," I think).
The false summit overlook was a lovely perch overlooking Killington and Pica to the east/northeast, and the Green Mountains to the west/south. That said the actual Mendon summit was so absurdly overgrown as to stab and cut you in simply attempting to get a picture of the sign. 87/100 for us and off to the Rangeley Six Pack which will probably make Mendon look like a picnic. |
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 | Name: |
TwinMom+1 |
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 | E-Mail: |
mk@mkmarinac.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-07-07 |
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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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