| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Ellen, VT |
|
 | Trails: |
Jerusalem Trail, Long Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, February 19, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Jerusalem Road was plowed and easily passable by most vehicles. Parking is roadside at the trailhead with no issue. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Skis |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A few open drainages down low that would be easily crossed on foot - a little trickier on skis but doable. Higher up they were bridged with snow. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One blowdown just below the ridge on Jerusalem Trail. I cleared one. Many bent-over trees and a number of blowdowns on the ridge on the Long Trail, mostly minor and step-over or walk-around. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Use caution once you start hitting ski glades up high near Mt Ellen - there are several diverging paths and most will direct you to the ski slopes. It is challenging to follow the route that mostly avoids the ski trails (not sure if it is possible to avoid them completely or not). |
|
 | Bugs: |
Frozen |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Found goggles on the ski glades but I managed to lose them again somewhere near the summit |
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|
 | Comments: |
Skied to about 2,900 ft then used snowshoes. The snow was tracked out but mostly soft, especially on the ridge. Lots of drifts up high. See note above regarding navigation. Blazes hard to see/follow on the LT section. Actual summit location not obvious. I originally intended to hike the LT from Appalachian Gap but discovered the trail to be completely unbroken with several feet of soft fluffy powder and opted against it as I didn't have the energy. Skiing down Jerusalem Trail was fun but definitely challenging with a heavy pack and resulted in a couple wipeouts but no injuries thankfully. Extremely cold day and weekend but thankfully this route is mostly sheltered but still has some great viewpoints along the way. Very challenging and definitely did not have time or energy to get to Abraham and back. Just Ellen clocked in around 8 MI, +2,600', 5.5 hrs. |
|
 | Name: |
ccam87 |
|
 | E-Mail: |
c_cameron1987@yahoo.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-21 |
|
 | 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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