Camels Hump via Burrows Trail

[chinooktrail]

Well, After hiking Mansfield earlier in the day, we drove over to the trailhead for Camel's Hump. Finding the trailhead is half the fun of this one! We took the very scenic tour and drove through Smugglers Notch and around, very pretty area indeed. But, we didn't get to the trailhead until after 6pm, and decided that we would come back in the morning to try for this one.


The next morning brought some rain with it, so we had a very lazy start, and a LARGE breakfast before hitting the trail. When we arrived it was still raining pretty good, we suited up and headed out. I really liked this trail, it sort of meanders for a little, then gets a little steeper, but never anything too tough.

There were a number of people on this trail, but nothing like the numbers on Mansfield, could have been the rain. We really took our time on this one, we moseyed more than hiked I guess. But it was all good. The people coming down were reporting high winds and rains and zero views, but, as we climbed higher it started to clear up a bit.

By the time we popped out onto the summit, we had good views, no rain, and a nice breeze, well, ok, high winds that almost knoced me over a few times... We had a quick lunch, once we got out of the wind as best we could, and looked around. Since I could not see Chocorua, I could not identify any of the peaks we were seeing, so we just guessed. Who knew you could see Washington so clearly from there!

On the way down we encountered a little orange salamander in the middle of the trail. I did my best to try to shoo him over to the side so he wouldn't get trampled, but he didn't want to budge... Bright orange on dark rock was not the best camoflage for him.

I really enjoyed this trail, it sort of lent itself to puttering along and lingering in spots listening to the winds in the trees and smelling the forest and just being happy to be back out in the woods.

Thanks to LenDawg for another great day out hiking!

Two down, 3 to go in Vermont!! Whoo Hoo!

 

[LenDawg]

Good point Tine, the game of find Chocorua and you can itentifiy everything else has its limitations when you get to Vermont!

I really liked this hike. First, Camels Hump is such a beautiful mountain. It has a tremendous presence as you look south from Burlington (or as you head south leaving burlington). I really hope to hike this one again sometime with clear skies! Thanks Chinook for another great hike.

 

[cbcbd]

On the way down we encountered a little orange salamander in the middle of the trail. I did my best to try to shoo him over to the side so he wouldn't get trampled, but he didn't want to budge... Bright orange on dark rock was not the best camoflage for him.

Lol, my guess is it was a Red Eft. Those things are cute, sit right in the middle of trails, and don't move at any sign of... anything!!

 

[LenDawg]

That looks like him! Thanks Doug.

 

[blacknblue]

I love those little red newts (or "red-spotted efts"), but yeah, it's amazing any of them survive before they turn brown and aquatic.

 

[elhefe007a]

If you are going to be climbing (or re-climbing) Camels Hump, take my advice and climb it via the Forest City Trail to Long Trail approach. The views the entire way are fantastic.

 

[chinooktrail]

Oh, I will definately be re-visiting Camel's Hump, I really enjoyed the whole hike, but it will be great to see it from another perspective!

Yes! Those little newts are so cute! Hum, 'subadult' stage, it's a teenager! NO WONDER it didn't do what I asked!