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!

 

Green Mountains Weekend

TRIP DATE       8/30/13 – 9/2/13

TRIP LOCATION:          Vermont – Green Mtns.                     

WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n):  N

MEETING TIME:          11:30 am at campground – Little River State Park               

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):             10       

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):       15 – 16 hrs. (Camel’s Hump, Mt. Mansfield, Mt. Ellen)

LENGTH IN MILES:      18.7 miles                  

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    2700 ft.

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:    Camel’s Hump – Burrow’s Trail, Mt. Mansfield – Sunset Ridge Trail down Laura Cowles Trail, Mt. Ellen – Jerusalem Trail to Long Trail

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:  N                        TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  No, Green Mtns.        

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: 

Day 1 – Nice weather, some clouds. We got settled at the campsite then drove 1 hr. to the trailhead and hiked up the Burrow’s Trail to Camel’s Hump. Fairly nice views with some clouds and haze and the trail was dry. Returned to the campsite then went out for dinner at the Blue Stone restaurant in Waterbury – great specialty pizzas and microbrews!

Day 2 – Forecast was for rain so we hiked Mt. Mansfield instead of the longer proposed hike of Mt. Abraham and Mt. Ellen along the Monroe Skyline/Long Trail. Three people decided to kayak/canoe this day at Little River (boat launch in the park). Seven of us hiked in from the west up Sunset Ridge Trail and came down the Laura Cowles Trail. No views at the top as we were in the clouds. We did get some peeks of views while on the Sunset Ridge trail. We decided to come down the very steep Laura Cowles trail and it began to lightly rain. Wet rocks and slippery made it slow going. We thought it would be a great trail in the winter snowshoeing. Returned to the campsite and had a delicious group dinner thanks to Luther and Joyce with help from everyone.

Day 3 – Forecast again for rain so five of us decided to hike only Mt. Ellen by way of the Jerusalem trail then going south on the Monroe Skyline/Long Trail to Mt. Ellen and returning the same way. Others decided to go into town and take a break from hiking. Mostly overcast with some brightening of sun at times, but fortunately, no rain. Nice, moderate trail. We had lunch at the top of the Sugarbush ski lift area with some good views. Returned to the campsite and had another wonderful camp dinner. Headed for our tents when it began to rain and we had rain off and on throughout the night.

Day 4 – Woke up to the sound of rain. Had breakfast then packed up to leave for home. Some people took some side trips to Waterbury before heading home.