Pico Camp 1st was built in 1925 on the east slope of Mt. Pico at 3,400 feet elevation, overlooking Killington, Mount Ascutney, and the ranges southeasterly into New Hampshire.
The shelter was built of peeled balsam logs, open front with stove, bunks for 24, steel roof, a stone fireplace in front, and unfailing water close at hand.
In connection with this camp was a shower bath, the only one yet constructed on the whole trail.
The shelter served hikers for decades. By 1932, the shelter had bunks for 12 and featured a fine cold spring nearby.
In February 1953, the shelter had undergone repairs to its roof and bunks under the direction of Roy Buchanan, with a new retaining wall built at the front, though the foundation logs were rotting badly and a new building rather than repairs was recommended.
By 1959, Pico Shelter was dismantled, and the site was cleared for the later construction of Pico Camp.
The new Pico Lodge, a frame cabin with bunks for eight to twelve, was completed on August 12, 1959, and featured three large front windows providing views of Killington Peak and distant Ascutney.
This replacement structure succeeded the original camp, marking the end of Pico Camp 1st’s tenure on the trail.
Sources
- "Long Trail News." , no. December (1925).
- "Long Trail News." , no. December (1925).
- Long Trail News 1936 (1936). Green Mountain Club. 2.
- Long Trail News 1942 (1942). Green Mountain Club. 16.
- "Long Trail News." , no. February (1953).
- "Long Trail News." , no. February (1953).
- Green Mountain Club. Long Trail Guide Book. 6 ed. Green Mountain Club, 1924. Pp. 38.
- Green Mountain Club. Long Trail Guide Book. 8 ed. Green Mountain Club, 1930. Pp. 37.
- Green Mountain Club. Long Trail Guide Book. 9 ed. Green Mountain Club, 1932. Pp. 26.
- Green Mountain Club. Long Trail Guide Book. 9 ed. Green Mountain Club, 1932. Pp. 29.
- Green Mountain Club. Long Trail Guide Book. 10 ed. Green Mountain Club, 1935. Pp. 28.
- Green Mountain Club. Long Trail Guide Book. 11 ed. Green Mountain Club, 1937. Pp. 31.
- Walter O’Kane. Trails and Summits of the Green Mountains. 1926.
