| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Abraham, Lincoln Peak, Nancy Hanks Peak, Cutts Peak, Mt. Ellen, VT |
|
 | Trails: |
Long Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 21, 2013 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
3 lots at Lincoln Gap accommodate many cars, main one was mostly full at 8:30AM, and it looks like the other 2 were busy during the day, but no cars parked on the shoulder. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None to note |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Another set of VT trails in great shape. A couple minor blowdowns here and there, none required going off trail or extraordinary measures to navigate. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a couple, all walking along, the summit caretaker will request you keep them on the trail on Abraham's summit if you aren't paying attention. No water along this route except at Battell Shelter so bring more. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None noticed on the trails, but the mosquitoes were aggressive at the parking lot in the late afternoon. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Theresa came along for my New England 4000-footer finish on Abraham and Ellen. Originally we planned a North-South gap-to-gap traverse, but decided we didn't want to deal with the 30-minute car spot game, so changed to an out-and-back to Ellen from Lincoln Gap, only 1 mile longer than the traverse.
We gingerly side-stepped the summit of Abraham on the way up (so it would be #67, and not Ellen!), and didn't even stop, as the clouds were still obscuring the summit. Stopped for a few minutes at the plane crash site just off the Long Trail not far North of the summit. By the time we hit Lincoln Peak, the skies were clearing a little, and once at Ellen (no sign, small 3-rock cairn along the West side of the trail), the skies were mostly clear though the horizon had hazed up some. Easy clear views of Camel's Hump and Mansfield from the top of the chair lift just past Ellen's summit, and outlines of Whiteface and Marcy/high peaks region in the Adirondacks were visible.
Returning to Abraham with little pause along the way, we found a beautiful summit scene. A few groups of people, but all things considered not terribly crowded, probably 10-15 other people at most. Great views from the small alpine summit area, we even managed to just make out the outlines of Moosilauke and the Kinsmans/Cannon in New Hampshire. After a while, we reluctantly headed down as it was getting late and we had a 3.5-hour or so drive home yet. Dinner at the "Pizza in the Valley" in Waitsfield (Flatbread had a >45 minute wait just to sit), small little place but good pizza and beer on tap.
Thanks Theresa for coming along on my New England 4000-Footer finish, and congrats on hitting #61 on that same list! |
|
 | Name: |
madmattd |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2013-07-22 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://mattshikes.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
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. |
|
