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Sunday, March 25, 2018

Haystack Mountain - Pawlet, VT - 3/24/18

I feel guilty.  I haven't posted a blog post in two months.  It's not that I haven't been hiking, but I've done a lot or repeats lately and I don't want to just re-post a hike solely to discuss changes in trail conditions.  Leesa and I have done a lot of Adirondack High Peaks in the last couple months in order to make progress on her winter 46 list.  They've been good hikes, but I've sufficed with a Facebook post here and there.

This weekend I ventured East into Vermont on Saturday for a short hike up Haystack Mountain in Pawlet.  It was another repeat hike, but this time there was snow on the ground.  I last climbed this peak on New Year's Day 2012 and there was no snow on the ground.    It was a great afternoon hike after having climbed Mount Equinox in the AM.

It's been 6 years, so time for a re-visit and so the mountain in snow conditions.  I had a 2 PM start, but the hike is only 3.3 miles round trip, so the late start was not a problem.  As we were parking, another car pulled in and hopped out with a dog and started hiking.

I finished putting on my boots and snowshoes and Rev and I started out.  We passed the woman and her dog Garcia after a short while.  The woman didn't have her snowshoes (and she was wishing she had them).  Her footing was less than ideal.


Haystack provides an imposing backdrop 

The beginning of the foot trail


A profile view from the east

Rev and I reach the summit in about 30 minutes.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon.  I took the opportunity to drink the hot chocolate that I had packed. I also snacked on some trail mix and gave Rev a few treats.

Garcia and her human showed up after a few minutes and we had a pleasant conversation.  Rev and Garcia did the same.   Afterwords they left and Rev and I stayed on the summit a little longer to enjoy the afternoon sun.      


The summit of Haystack.


Looking south.  VT Route 30 down below. 


Looking east.


Looking north to Middle Mountain and Pine Mountain, the other two sister peaks.







It was easy to head down in the soft snow with snowshoes on.  The gravel road and the bottom was mud, but the trail was fine in the snow.

This is a great little peak with fine views.  The vertical gain is about a 1000'.  A lot of bang for the buck and well worth 2-3 hours of your time.  The parking is on Waite Hill Road in Pawlet.  A small sign is on the north side where a narrow dirt road is the beginning of the hike until a foot trail veers off to the left.

Hike Stats:
Hike Distance 3.3 miles round trip
Hike Time:  2+ hours
Total Vertical Gain:  ~1000'


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