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This is a little trip report on a nice little peak in Vermont. We spent a few days in Ludlow and Bennington, weathering a couple of storms that had the streets gushing with water carrying tires, logs, and assorted debris. Luckily we could watch it all safely from the motel porch.
The Mt Aeolus trail is fast disappearing, as I could tell from this trip compared to one several years ago.
Marge and I started out from Dorset Hill Rd and climbed up on an old jeep road which you could still call a road right up to the bat cave, but getting very eroded. Avoid the first major right turn: it leads steeply up to a dead end and buildings. It rained on and off during the day, but it was warm enough that there was no way we would have put on our raincoats.
This trail hosts a wonderful assortment of wildflowers, and the maidenhair ferns are numerous. Jewelweed was blooming everywhere, and I had only one encounter with the hordes of stinging nettles. Long pants definitely recommended! Below the summit cone is a beautiful open (maple?) grove. This might just be a fun ski trip.
The old quarry along the way is growing in quickly, but the walls are still impressive, like an old temple being swallowed by the jungle (see my pics).
After the bat cave, the path got fainter and fainter and started to diverge into herdpaths through the ferns, up the small cliffs. We were able to stay on course, though returning we lucked into some easier paths down the steep parts. The summit is just a few steps off the trail, and the glass jar is well hidden in a thicket of dead spruce branches.
Many familiar names in the book, most recently Neighbour Dave (5/09) and Bookah and his human companion (9/08).
A few pics here:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/574286644BCvZpv
The Mt Aeolus trail is fast disappearing, as I could tell from this trip compared to one several years ago.
Marge and I started out from Dorset Hill Rd and climbed up on an old jeep road which you could still call a road right up to the bat cave, but getting very eroded. Avoid the first major right turn: it leads steeply up to a dead end and buildings. It rained on and off during the day, but it was warm enough that there was no way we would have put on our raincoats.
This trail hosts a wonderful assortment of wildflowers, and the maidenhair ferns are numerous. Jewelweed was blooming everywhere, and I had only one encounter with the hordes of stinging nettles. Long pants definitely recommended! Below the summit cone is a beautiful open (maple?) grove. This might just be a fun ski trip.
The old quarry along the way is growing in quickly, but the walls are still impressive, like an old temple being swallowed by the jungle (see my pics).
After the bat cave, the path got fainter and fainter and started to diverge into herdpaths through the ferns, up the small cliffs. We were able to stay on course, though returning we lucked into some easier paths down the steep parts. The summit is just a few steps off the trail, and the glass jar is well hidden in a thicket of dead spruce branches.
Many familiar names in the book, most recently Neighbour Dave (5/09) and Bookah and his human companion (9/08).
A few pics here:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/574286644BCvZpv
