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 :x . 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. :blink: I just wish that the folks who were hogging the view would have moved for us :evil: 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! :wink: ). As usual, lots of folks on this trail...
Look for pics soon.
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 :x . 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. :blink:
I just wish that the folks who were hogging the view would have moved for us :evil: 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! :wink: ). As usual, lots of folks on this trail...
Look for pics soon.
