Trails Used

Bucklin trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trail was cruisy and fast. Some minor soggy bits, especially on the flatter portion, but surprisingly dry overall given the amount of rain the preceding days! Not a trace of snow/ice left anywhere. We did accidentally detour down the xc ski trail that runs parallel to Bucklin and that was a bit of a boggy mess, I don't recommend it :)

Wildlife

Couple mosquitoes

Trails Used

Bucklin Trail, Long Trail, Killington Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

Beautiful Sunday hike to nab the kiddos’ final VT 4K and 53/67. Bucklin trail is a very mellow two mile walk (500’ gain) to Irene Falls (very underwhelming). After that the trail climbs consistently at a moderate grade through pleasant woods. The Killington Spur trail seems like it was transplanted from NH-very steep and rocky. Great views at the top, although all the ski infrastructure and garbage strewn about really dampens the mood. Trail was remarkably dry compared to Ellen the day before. Not nearly as many wildflowers, but we did observe abundant painted trillium and some Dutchmen’s breeches:) Now on to Maine!!!

Parking

Nice large lot. Three mile drive in from Route 4 is in great shape

Water Crossings

Bridged

Wildlife

Plenty down low (gnats and black flies)in the hardwoods but once again they weren’t biting quite yet!

Also on this trip

Trails Used

MD Trail at Dartmouth Skiway, Appalachian Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Spring conditions with recent snowfall. Hiked up MD Trail at Dartmouth Skiway, then bushwhacked southeast to Winslow Ledge summit (2285 ft) through hardwoods. Found clifftop perches with views. Snow a few inches deep on ski trail masking ice beneath. Bare ground found at clifftop perch. No summit register found at initial summit bump.

Parking

Parked at designated hiker spot at Dartmouth Skiway on paved Dorchester Road (frost-heaved)

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Sherburne Pass Trail, Pico Link, Long Trail, Killington Spur

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Variable trail conditions. Generally, no snow signs anywhere (exposed areas) driving over and then as soon as you step into the parking lot there is ice and 3-4 inches of snow on trail. Lots of prior postholing, especially on The Link to Pico. Since then, cold with negative feels over the past couple nights. Freshly sharpened trail spikes were the way to go. On the trek, everything was extremely solid on the surface, even off-trail. Packed out snowshoes but they would have taken a significant beating. Overall, prior to the Cooper Camp below Killington Peak, you have mostly ice, a hardened and stable mono-rail of snow and ice and bare trail coupled with a surface of intermittent ice and rocks/roots. The hike is mostly under a canopy so the lack of sun exposure has prolonged the ice and snow cover around most of the hike. You could really get through the hike without having to step on any rocks, except at the summit. With the hardened ice surface with no more than 15 inches of solid snow at higher elevations, I took a creative approach to Killington Peak through the last steeper push to the summit cone. Picked my way up through the woods a little where I could get better plunge with an ice axe. Full crampons a must to top and I switched back to trail spikes past Snowdon Peak on the descent.

Parking

Large lot across from The Inn at Long Trail. Lot very icy at start.

Water Crossings

Collapsing bridges with some but still easy to get over.

Wildlife

None.