Big Jay

[chinooktrail]

Is there a bit of a heard path from Jay Peak over to Big Jay?

I did Jay Peak last winter, but was frozen solid by the time I got into the ski hut, so didn't attempt the trek over to Big Jay, unfortunately...

Now I get to go back!

I seem to remember having to duck under a snow fence maybe to head over that way? It was a severe clear day when I was there, so I could see the peak, just not sure where the best place to depart the ski area would be.

Any advice will be welcome.

 

[peakbagger]

Its been many years since I did it, but seem to remember a distinct path departing just north of the summit building. It had snow fences and signs trying to keep skiers out. It may have grown in somewhat as there was evidence of active trimming at the time and given the major bootleg ski trail problem in this area a couple of years ago, I expect that there is less active trimming. We did it in late fall/ early winter and the trail seemed to disapear as it climbing up from the saddle between the the peaks. We ended up on the south side of the peak and it was fairly steep and ledge.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Big Jay, Jay, Oji, Mt. Jo, Dix, etc. all suffer from the 'too short to be searched' problem on VFTT.

But you can use Google to search VFTT and find several hits.

 

[bobandgeri]

We have a photo of where you start from back in 2004 in this trip report:
http://rbhayes.net/jaypeak.html

We were there again in 2006 and the herd path was very easy to follow. After you go through the fence the herd path will be on your left within @ 100 feet.

 

[MEB]

I have no advice but I want to go with you! Perhaps the Vermont Green Mountain Legend could be of some help......

-MEB

 

[chinooktrail]

Many thanks! So that is why I couldn't find the info on searching, thanks, will try the Google thing next time!

MEB, I was thinking on the way over to or back from the ADKs...
Not sure when you are headed over for that trip.

The Vermont Green Mountain Legend will do anything YOU ask him to do, I had to make promises I couldn't keep to get him up Pico!

 

[HockeyPuck]

We have a photo of where you start from back in 2004 in this trip report:
http://rbhayes.net/jaypeak.html

We were there again in 2006 and the herd path was very easy to follow. After you go through the fence the herd path will be on your left within @ 100 feet.

I was there in May 2010 - The information on B&G's site is accurate.

 

[yvon]

Look my TR on Jay Peak & Big Jay on ADKHPForum . I forgot to posted here at that time.

http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13083&referrerid=142

 

[pedxing]

Easy Herd path in Summer 2010

I took the trip from Jay to Big-Jay as a side trip while hiking the Long Trail this summer. If you are heading south towards Big Jay on the LT there is a pretty clear herd path leading to the right not long before you get to a major ski trail. It is really more than a herd path - it was clearly maintained (unofficially) until not too long ago. There are lots of cut trees and pruned bushes. It looked like maintenance probably stopped after the uproar over the major tree cutting on the Slopes of Big Jay increased sensitivity to the issues of illegal trail making and illegal maintenance.

It's really too easy to call a bushwhack. I've hit official trail that was tougher to follow.

Heading north (down) its to the left off of the long trail not long after you cross below the snow fence (no need to duct the trail winds through an opening in the fence).

 

[Jazzbo]

Try to hike on clear day!

The Jays have superb views. Suggest you try to hit them on good weather day. See my trip report from last winter. The heard path is easy to follow and well traveled by (illegally???) by skiers. We saw a lot of them when we passed along it. Watch your backside as you go along.

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34318&highlight=jays

 

[MichaelJ]

The access to Big Jay for hikers and skiers is legal.
There was a period of time after the illegal cutting that it was closed off, but it was officially reopened.