| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Dorset Peak (attempt), VT |
|
 | Trails: |
Tower Road, herd path |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, January 19, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lower Dorset Hollow Road and Tower Road were well-plowed and could be driven to the last house by any vehicle. Parking is along the side of Tower Road where it becomes Class IV. Not sure if it's required to keep a path open for snowmachines to access the Class IV section, I didn't see signs. As other posters have noted, there is a confusing set of signs at the intersection of Tower Road and Grouse Lane. Follow Tower Road for this path. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The only noteworthy stream crossing I encountered was ice-bridged over quite well. Topo maps seem to show one other stream crossing at lower elevation, which I didn't even notice, as well as possible stream crossings at higher elevation I didn't make it to. I don't remember any large stream crossings when I did this hike a few summers ago. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Nothing to mention today. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The Class IV section of Tower Road, which the path follows for the first half-mile, is within a property owned by the Dorset Hollow Corporation, which is a natural preservation group. I was not able to find any rules for public access to their property, but it would be sensible for dog owners to keep their dogs leashed until they get past the dilapidated cabin. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Nothing to mention. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing to mention. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Well, I only managed to get about halfway between the parking spot and the summit (due to an issue with my gear that prevented me from continuing on, and which I didn't want to try to solve on the side of a mountain in wintertime) but I can still relay some information regarding this path for the next hiker, based on my own observations and reports from two hikers that I encountered.
The trail is broken-out all the way from parking to the col between Dorset Peak and West Dorset. After that point, the next hiker may need to break trail. Hikers should strongly consider wearing snowshoes from the outset until a hard-bottomed trench forms. The Class IV section of Tower Road and the woods road beyond is blazed with blue paint on trees; I am not able to confirm whether this blazing continues past the col. I did not witness any footprints or snowshoe-prints straying from the broken-out path, so until the next snowstorm it can be followed - but hikers should always exercise their own wayfinding judgement. Snow was sticky and not deep at lower elevations; temperatures over the next few days may cause further stickiness, but it will freeze when we get truly cold temperatures on Saturday and Sunday. |
|
 | Name: |
Sheamus |
|
 | E-Mail: |
Sheamus.Fagan@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-01-19 |
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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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