Green Mountains, Vermont

TRIP DATE       October 11^th – 14^th, 2013

TRIP LOCATION: Vermont – Green Mtns.                 

MEETING TIME:  Friday 10/11 at Gifford Woods State Park campgrounds, Killington, VT              

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 6 (1 person Sat.-Sun. only)     

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 5 hrs. Sat., 8 hrs. Sun.      

LENGTH IN MILES:      7.2 Mt. Killington, 11.6 Monroe Skyline/Long Trail

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    2700+

DIFFICULTY:   B                (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S):       Leslie Carson

CO-LEADER NAME(S):            Ken Carson

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    Bucklin Trail; Appalachian Gap – Lincoln Gap

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:    Yes                      TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: 1 hr.

DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
Sat. 10/12 – Left the campground and drove to Bucklin trailhead, about 20 min. Met Amanda at 10 a.m. and hiked the Bucklin trail to the summit of Mt. Killington. Beautiful fall weather, temps. in the low 60’s, dry conditions, trail was very well marked and not too difficult, very moderate slope. At the open ledge summit, the views were great, 360 degrees. Only negative was that there were many people at the top who had come up by the Killington chair lift. We found a somewhat secluded ledge and had lunch. A wonderful day!

Sun. 10/13 – Drove four cars to Lincoln Gap, dropped off two and drove the other two to Appalachian Gap. Started hiking around 9:30 up the Long Trail (Monroe Skyline) and summitted General Stark Mtn., Mt. Ellen, Castle Rock Peak, Nancy Hanks Peak, Lincoln Peak, and Mt. Abraham. We had lunch at the Sugarbush chair lift platform near Mt. Ellen overlooking the ski trails. Another gorgeous fall day with temps. in the 60’s. Superb views along the way and at the summits. After lunch, Amanda left the group and went ahead so she could drive home to Boston without getting home too late. She left us a note stating she got to her car at 4:00. We finally reached Mt. Abraham summit around 4:00 or so which is open ledge. Views in all directions. We could see Camel’s Hump and Mt. Mansfield to the north, Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks to the west and the White Mtns. to our east. Returned to our car at 5:30, retrieved the other cars and went out to dinner on our way back to the campsite.  The next day we packed up and went into Woodstock for shopping and lunch before heading home. All in all, an excellent weekend! Lots of fun!