NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mendon Peak, Killington Peak, Pico Peak, VT
Trails
Trails: Logging road, bushwhack, Long Trail, Killington Spur, Sherburne Pass Trail, Pico Side Trail, ski trails
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Wheeler ills Road was slick, muddy, and rutted, but no problems getting to Brewers Corner 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Traction, Ice Axe 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All the crossings of Eddy Brook were easily rock hopped 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Actually had a few spider webs on the trail today 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Wasn't sure what to expect today, but everything turned out well. Bare booted up the ATV trail until about 2000'. After the third creek crossing the snow appeared. Soft top layer,but stable under old tracks. Still fairly deep on the north side of Mendon if you strayed to far. Bushwhack through open woods to the summit of Mendon, leaving the ATV trail around 3450'. Missed the 3600' contour trail after dropping back down to low. Very deep snow bush whacking back up to 3600'. Consolidated trail wrapping around to just west of Killington, and followed an open herd path with multiple ski tracks to the AT.


Took the side trail to Killington. I had my axe in the car, but decided to leave it there. I wish I had it on the descent, as there was a lot of steep ice.


Once back on the AT, traversed over to Pico side trail. Traded the snowshoes for micro spikes about halfway to Pico, as the snow suddenly disappeared, to be replaced by a lot of ice. A little more snow, on the Pico side trail, but snow was pretty stable and did well with the spikes. Decided to head down the ski slope to finish a beautiful day.


Very interesting hiking in 55 degrees. Some winter firsts: no gloves, or hat, wore shorts, and used my camel back. Thanks Tom for the trail info. Very helpful. Hope to have the same luck tomorrow on Ellen to finish off the Winter 111.  
Name
Name: Stephen Rombach 
E-Mail
E-Mail: ser63@comcast.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2012-03-17 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved