| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Abraham, Lincoln Peak, Mt. Ellen, VT |
|
 | Trails: |
Battell Trail, Long Trail, Jerusalem Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 22, 2018 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Both access roads and parking lots were solid in the morning but soft in the afternoon. There might be one more week of use before the should be avoided to prevent deep ruts. Had to park along the side of the road for the Jerusalem Trail while the lot at the Battell Trail has space for 4-5 cars. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were blowdowns along the entire route - they were easy to step over, duck under, or go around. Both the Battell Trail and Jerus Trails are well blazed, the Long Trail not so much. Got to meet the trail maintainer for the Jerusalem Trail. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn’t see any dogs out there today. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Did this one with Monica and the Random Group of Hikers. Couldn’t have asked for better weather - clear blue skies allowed us to see the White Mountains to the east and the Adirondacks to the West. Might have seen as far north as Jay Peak and the Canadian Border. The trail was exposed for the first 1/4 mile or so of the Battell Trail but you’re could avoid the mud by staying on the solid snowpack along the sides. My guess is there’s another week or two before the trails get closed for mud season.
Went with spikes to Ellen and was fine - solid well packed snow along the route to the summit. Not many have ventured north of Ellen though and any semblance of a trail quickly disappeared once we got below the summit. Switched to snow shoes at that point and used them pretty much all the way back to the cars. There was some ski traffic near the two ski areas but most of the trip along the ridge required route finding and trail breaking. I led us astray once or twice but we were able to easily get back on track.
Besides the skiers near the two resorts, we only saw one other hiker (Kurt) and the volunteer trail adopter for the Jerusalem Trail. |
|
 | Name: |
Michael and Monica |
|
 | E-Mail: |
michaelfblair@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2018-04-23 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.meetup.com/rndmhkrs/events/248982292/ |
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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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