Mount Pisgah, Lake Willoughby, VT: July 24, 2005

[thetrailboss]

Date(s) Hiked: July 24, 2005

Trails(s) Hiked: South Trail, Mount Pisgah.

Total Distance: About 4.5 miles roundtrip or so.

Difficulty: Moderate to Easy.

Conditions: Dry, well maintained trail.

Special Required Equipment: None.

Trip Report: This was the third time that I've ascended Pisgah from the South...the last time was in April 1998 when I found that the summit area of the trail was completely obliterated from the recent ice storm making sections of the trail unrecognizable and pretty much unpassable . Since then, the trail has been re-cleared and is once again a main thoroughfare of the region.

Willoughby is the gem of the Northeast Kingdom and for hikers and climbers, Pisgah is the main hub of activity being the most visible and popular destination (the trailhead is right on Route 5A with a large parking area).

We parked the car and crossed Route 5A. After getting out of sight of the road, the trail drops down to a small pond and marsh which one crosses using a nice wooden footbridge. From here, the trail climbs a small ridge that runs along the pond before turning north and climbing up the ridge of the Pisgah. After a short, steep climb via switchbacks, the trail steadies out to a gradual ascent. We came to Pulpit Rock about 20 or so minutes from the bottom. The view was great as I remembered and Ms. Trailboss was impressed ! The nude beach below was in full operation as well...no I did not pull out the telezoom lens to catch a glimpse (my advice: stay away from that beach).

From here, the trail became steeper before turning to the NE and crossing the mountain. Ms. Trailboss got pretty fatigued just shy of the summit, because of the heat and the steeper grades. We made it to the open rock area just shy of the summit where we met some nice folks from Burlington and discussed the expansive view which includes East, Umpire, Burke, Kirby, and Bald Mountains as well as the Presidentials, Franconias, and Moosilauke as well. We were also able to look off to the west towards the Greens. Though this is not one of my favorite hikes, the views are impressive

After a nice lunch, I took Ms. Trailboss to the next overlook which looks down about 12-1500 vertical feet to the waters of Willoughby below. In the foreground looms Hor as well as Wheeler with its imposing rock face. We were able to see Mansfield, Belvidere, Camel's Hump, Jay, Ellen, and Owls Head from here. I just wish that the folks who were hogging the view would have moved for us This lookout proved better than I had remembered it...spectacular.

From here, Ms. Trailboss was in a tear to get down to the car and head home, so we booked it down. Nice afternoon, nice hike, great to see so many locals hitting the trails (including my friends from the Danville, VT BSA Troop! ). As usual, lots of folks on this trail...

Look for pics soon.

[bvibert]

Nice TR, TB. Sounds like a nice trip!

no I did not pull out the telezoom lens to catch a glimpse (my advice: stay away from that beach).

A little scary is it??

[cbcbd]

Sounds like a nice hike... nude beach, eh?
I think the only nude beaches worth going to are probably across the pond.

[nekgirl]

:P TB is right, steer clear from this beach. too bad, it's a Really beautiful beach. was a real suprise first time I went there a few years ago, and i didn't know

[thetrailboss]

Yes, the infamous nude beach. Kind of unofficial and I recall there being some discussion a few years ago regarding making this a PUBLIC (i.e. clothed) beach. Didn't get too far since it's on private land I think. Most of the clientele are older folks.

[Bob R]

Nice report. You distroyed my nice visual.

[thetrailboss]

Originally Posted by Bob R

Nice report. You distroyed my nice visual.

Sorry, sorry. That beach, from Pisgah, is really beautiful...green water from up high and nice sand.

[thetrailboss]

At long last, the the pics from this great hike. Enjoy!!!

[riverc0il]

trailboss! it is obvious you no longer have the high quality digi-cam to borrow from your old employeers! despite the low image quality, those pictures are fantastic. i just took a drive around the lake on saturday, fantastic day for a drive and the views were excellent. didn't hike it though. nice shot of burke! when ever i see a full frontal shot of burke, i am always amazed at how small the mountain looks and how well so many of the trails are hidden because they are small, narrow, and windy. reminds me a lot of how MRG's trails are hidden from the parking lot (on a smaller scale of course!). essentially, the shot of burke is extremely deceiving.

[thetrailboss]

Originally Posted by riverc0il

trailboss! it is obvious you no longer have the high quality digi-cam to borrow from your old employeers! despite the low image quality, those pictures are fantastic.

They weren't that good? Just scanned photos...