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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Ellen (attempt), VT
Trails
Trails: Jerusalem Trail, Long Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Jerusalem Rd. is muddy but stable; local landowner said parking on the side of the road across from the trailhead is fine. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes:  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Part 3 of the VT trip, went for the double dip today after opting at Abraham's summit to not attempt breaking trail north on the Long Trail. Started in crampons and switched to snowshoes ~1/10mi in. Jerusalem trail was pretty well packed, few hardened sections between the early trail break strides. Blue blazes were easy to follow through the vehicle tracks from the sugar tapping farm you pass through; there is one confusing junction of vehicle tracks where a bunch of sap lines come together in the middle, follow the trail straight ahead under the lines and the blazes will show back up. Trail continued with a nice pack from the last branch off of vehicle tracks all the way to the Long Trail junction; at the last crest to the ridge there are 3 ice caps protruding, following toward the right side seemed to be the path of least resistance.
The Long Trail was a different story, looked as though it hadn't been touched since the last snowfall. I broke trail ~1mi before turning back; apologies for the meandering short paths branching out- It felt like more of a bushwhack than trail and I saw only 1 white blaze after turning back. Deep drifts mixed with occasional crusty sections where the trees break and lots of spruce traps hiding about, rolled my ankle pretty good dropping into one. Tried pushing on a little further but opted to call it and save it for another day without an ailing ankle.
Hopefully whoever gives it a go next has better luck!  
Name
Name: Kevin 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kouellette1472@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-03-26 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

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