| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Mansfield - The Chin, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hellbrook Trail, Cliff Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Maybe one tricky one between Abraham and Ellen |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
One report per hike.
Camel's Hump; Abraham, Ellen; Mansfield
Burrows-Long Trail-Forest City; Long Trail from Lincoln Gap; Hellbrook Trail-Cliff Trail
A whirlwind of a trip to Vermont to bag the 4 4000 footers I had not yet climbed. 3 separate hikes 9/11/23 8pm - 9/12/23 4:30pm
Camel's Hump
I started up Burrows Trail at 8pm Monday 9/11, and I was surprised how dry it was after recent rain. Found it to be a moderate, steady ascent, nothing technical. Crossed the summit in the misty fog of the night, and descended a much steeper, rockier, and more slippery Long Trail down to the Forest City connector. LT was slow going descending the slippery rocks. Had to be very very careful. Little to no mud to report, returned to car with dry socks. I would definitely reverse this route if I came back and hike up LT, down Burrows. Watch tracked 5.3 miles with 2500 feet of elevation, I returned to my car at 11pm.
Abraham/Ellen
Started up the LT from Lincoln Gap at 6:45am 9/12. Nice hike, nothing technical on the entire out and back. Some mud between Abraham and Ellen, but not bad, socks were wet after completion. No views on a cloudy morning, but a nice observation deck near the first ski slopes, good place to sit and probably nice views on a better day. Met a bunch of LT hikers and other day hikers coming up to Abraham on my way back down. Watch tracked 11.3 miles with 3455 feet of climb, returned to car at noon, 5:15 round trip including 20-25 minutes of rest time.
Mansfield
Hellbrook is a tough climb. 2050 feet of climb in the first mile! I enjoyed the challenge though even on weakening legs. Slick, steep rocks were tricky to climb, careful foot placement was a must, a fair number of spots that I needed all four appendages to ascend. A stream was often running straight down the trail, but not much if any mud on this ascent. This climb felt a lot like what can be found regularly in the Adirondacks. This trail is only for the strong, well-conditioned, and experienced hiker. Summit steward suggested the gondola as a descent option, and my legs thought that sounded like a good idea. However, the Cliff Trail getting down to the gondola was steep and slippery still after recent days of rain and very tricky and technical, be warned! Consequentially I do not have round trip stats, but one way to summit, 1.6 miles to climb 2543 feet, 1.5 hrs for me to ascend 1:45pm-3:15pm, going back down would be much slower due to how steep and slippery it is. I was down to the bottom of the gondola around 4:30 and easily hitched a ride back up to the Hellbrook parking area. Amazing spring right by the parking lot and across the road from the trailhead! |
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 | Name: |
Jonathan Cable |
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 | E-Mail: |
joncablenyc@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-09-13 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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