Mendon/Pico question

[yogi]

Being a solo hiker most days, I'd like to catch Mendon, and then following the logging road/long trail and continue over Killington to Pico and down, without a car drop.
Big question is how far do you figure it is back to the Bucklin trail head where my vehicle will be from the Long Trail trail head at the base of Pico? Would I be better to come down Bucklin and drive down to Pico and then back up?
I've climbed Killington several times so no real need to go back. Other than a nice view.

 

[Tramper Al]

Pretty far

First off, which LT trailhead at the base of Pico do you mean?

The most direct trail route down from Pico will be the 'old' LT aka Sherburn Pass Trail down to the Inn at Long Trail. That's another mile east on Rt. 4 from the current LT crossing. However, to get back to the current LT (and down) you will have to backtrack (but only 0.4 miles) from the Pico spur, unless you are planning a bushwhack there. Maybe the fastest way down from Pico toward where you want to start road walking would be via ski trails.

It is far enough from any of these trailheads back to Brewer's Corner (and the base of the Bucklin Trail), that I would look for an alternative. Even if you don't mind the road walk, the bit on Rt. 4 to get over to Wheelerville Road would not be fun, I think.

Backtrack: One alternative, after Pico, is to simply head back toward Killington, and go down the Bucklin. Might be a longish day, but quite straightforward, at least.

Catamount: There is also a XC ski trail between the current LT crossing at Rt. 4 and Brewer's Corner. It does not follow as flat a route as you imagine it could have. If you want to try this (a little risky if you ask me), then I can give you a little more information on it. I would definitely do this section first, not last.

Lost: If you really want to get fancy, the 1997 topo map shows two trails/ forest roads coming right up to the Ram's Head - Pico ridge traversed by the new LT route. I recall casually looking for these when I passed on the LT last fall, but I don't think they are obvious (unlike the path up from the Mendon forest road). Via a bit of a maze, these routes join the Bucklin Trail down low. I am not recommending this.

Tour de Mendon: If it were me, I'd simply leave my car across from the Inn at Long Trail, then ride my bicycle out Rt. 4 and in to Brewer's Corner. The Rt. 4 part is pretty much all downhill, and early in the morning biking on Wheelerville Road, I'd have a good chance of surprising some wildlife along the way. I always bike to the trailhead, walk to the car. Again, I don't leave the tricky part for last.

Winter: Actually, I am looking for the optimal WINTER route to combine Mendon, Killington, and Pico. I think it will be up Mendon via the forest road / short bushwhack, then continue up that road to the LT to Killington, then via Sherburn Pass Trail to Pico spur and out to the Inn at Long Trail. We will have two cars. Probably easier, but riskier in winter, would be this in reverse, ending at Brewer's Corner. Long day either way.

 

[Papa Bear]

Hi yogi

Meo and I did what you are asking last year. It was rainy so we skipped the steep spur trail to Killington (you probably have that already). It was a long slog back to the Buclin trail and down but it would be much longer I think to drive around to the old AT/LT and up to Pico and back.

Here's our trip report.

If you can optimize the route of the Mendon bushwhack and if you get up to the LT from the Mendon logging road without the wrong turn we took, you'll be in good shape.

I figured we hiked 16.1 miles with 4600' of elevation gain - about 8 hours on the trail. That's a long day, but I think it's the best you can do without 2 cars.

Pb

 

[bobandgeri]

We did Mendon and Killington a couple of weeks ago. When you go up the logging road look for the 3rd Carin - 20 minute easy bushwack to the top from there - another 90 minutes to Killington.

Report with map at:
http://www.rbhayes.net/mendor.html


If you plan on walking the roads from the base of Pico back to your car at the start of the Mendon hike you will be in for a long hike - it has to be at least 10 miles by road.

It might be worth posting an event to find somebody who would liek to do the hike with you so you can leave a car at Pico. Or - look for a taxi company in the Killington/Rutland area to give you a ride from Pico to the start of the hike.

 

[yogi]

Thanks everyone, exactly the info I was looking for. I have read (and printed out) most of your trip reports in preperation for this. I never think of the Mt. bike, and that is a great idea. That or I will back track, although I always try to avoid this if at all possible.
And Bob and Geri, can't wait to try out that swimming hole with a cold Long Trail Ale after. I can taste it already!