| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Oxbow Ridge, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Duck Brook Trail, Long Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, March 12, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No real parking where both Duck Brook Trail and the Long Trail intersect Bolton Notch Road. Official parking lot is on Route 2. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Preston Brook required an invigorating ford, & my feet got wet. Water was ankle to mid shin deep. There is a high water bypass, but I had only a mile to go & wanted to stay on the official LT. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some interesting blazing up on the ridge - lots of dripping, “weeping†blazes. Trail was MUCH easier to follow than expected. Used GPS track only a couple of times today! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw 4 today! |
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 | Bugs: |
Saw a spider crawling on the snow |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Duck Brook Trail to Long Trail south across Oxbow Ridge, across Winooski River, to Bamforth Ridge trailhead
Today was an extra treat because the crust was firm enough to support my weight. Carried snowshoes but never needed them. I reclimbed Duck Brook Trail, yesterday’s descent/exit for a mile, then headed south on the Long Trail. This section of trail is a relatively new (2015) relo & is a truly beautiful 4-5 mile ridgewalk through a forest of open hardwoods. It is one of my favorite sections of the LT.
As I dropped elevation - from ~2000 to ~400 feet on a predominately south-facing slope, the snowmelt was pronounced. The last 4 miles included crossing the Winooski, a road walk, a smaller river ford, & a flat walk through farm fields complete with stiles. There was so little snow that it felt like cheating to call it a winter hike.
Actually met 2 humans & 4 dogs during today’s hike, only the 2nd & 3rd hikers I have met in 90 miles of the LT in winter.
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 | Name: |
Snowflea |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-03-12 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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