Big Jay ( VT)

[AntlerPeak]

I understand there is a herd path from the Long Trail on Jay Peak over to Big Jay. Does anyone know,

How obvious is the start of the Herd Path?

Does it follow the ridge line?

Is it fairly open or thick brush?

Any info would help thank you.

 

[bobandgeri]

Yes - there is a herd path from Jay over to Big Jay. It is very well defined. The start of the herd path is along the snow fence - see our trip report:
http://rbhayes.net/jaypeak.html

We have a pick of where the trail goes through the fence.

 

[AntlerPeak]

Thanks Geri this is really useful and it looks like I am going to get tired dragging back to Jay Peak. I spent some time looking at your web site very nice. Thanks again

http://mysite.verizon.net/antlerpeak/

 

[Doc McPeak]

Thanks Geri this is really useful and it looks like I am going to get tired dragging back to Jay Peak...

http://mysite.verizon.net/antlerpeak/

I've looked at that route and thought with a second car it would be (or I should "could" be) a fun bushwhack to keep heading down the ridge to Little Jay, then head down into the village below.

BobandGeri, how thick was it up there around Big Jay? It doesn't look horrendous from the photos. Also, was there any semblance of a path heading off towards Little Jay?

AntlerPeak, I'm thinking of doing this in September if you're interested. Perhaps we can talk Papa Bear into it too, if the beta looks promising...

 

[Tom Rankin]

When JeanNat, Harry and I did it last year, someone had brushed over the start of the trail, probably to keep thru hikers from getting lost. We walked past it, eventually realized our mistake, and came back and found it.

From the looks of your red line on the map, did you perhaps do the same thing ?

It was about 32 degrees the day we did the Jay's. The canister was frozen shut! Glad you got it open!

Doc: The terrain is not very thick. We did 4 Jays that day. See this link:

http://vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3907

 

[AntlerPeak]

I've looked at that route and thought with a second car it would be (or I should "could" be) a fun bushwhack to keep heading down the ridge to Little Jay, then head down into the village below.

BobandGeri, how thick was it up there around Big Jay? It doesn't look horrendous from the photos. Also, was there any semblance of a path heading off towards Little Jay?

AntlerPeak, I'm thinking of doing this in September if you're interested. Perhaps we can talk Papa Bear into it too, if the beta looks promising...

Doc

Two of us are doing this on Aug 9 if you are able that day you are welcome to join us. The plan at this point is simple up to Jay, Big Jay and back the same way. That of course is subject to change.

 

[RoySwkr]

When JeanNat, Harry and I did it last year, someone had brushed over the start of the trail, probably to keep thru hikers from getting lost. We walked past it, eventually realized our mistake, and came back and found it.

Big Jay is great glade skiing and they built a wide ski trail over from Jay, then discovered that it is a designated natural area with no trails allowed and tried to cover it up. Skiers still go there of course and managers try to cover this up, thus the trail situation depends on which group has been most active recently.

I have never been over to Little Jay but can't imagine that thick brush would attract glade skiers.