hiking in Smugglers Notch

[arghman]

my Mt Mansfield plans for this year are shot, but I was thinking of attempting a more moderate hike in the area (there's a loop trail to Sterling Pond / Elephant Head) either this wkend or next.

how do I find out when the trails are open (if I remember someone's posting, VT closes them until Memorial Day wkend)? are they closed for Peregrine falcons as well?

also if anyone has hiked this trail before, please send me a PM, I have some other Q's.

 

[poison ivy]

You are good to go as far as the Green Mountain Club is concerned. All trails (that were closed for mud season) are open for hiking this weekend.

- Ivy

 

[HapyHkngSmile]

Great Choice Tip... Don't let the yellow tape deter you from hiking Mansfield or Camel's Hump for that matter. The GMC likes to try to deter folks from climbing in the early Spring as the ground is still quite muddy (and after all this rain it will be very muddy), and the trail is at risk of being ruined... Take it easy and watch your step is all, no rnager will prevent you from going, and you will be surprise at how many you meet on the summit. Word of advice... If it's 50 degrees at the trail head you can count of seeing frost on the summit this time of year
Smugg's is a great day hike... The falcons aren't nesting yet as I recall... I went hiking around there in July 05' and there were signs everywhere and in fact some closed off areas to protect them.
I am going up to Mansfield this Saturday... Try it out!!!!! Camel's Hump is another good choice as is Mt Hunger. Mt Hunger another steep relentless hike... But all worth it

Thanks!
Christine

 

[HapyHkngSmile]

Woo hoo for VT!

Great Choice Tip... Don't let the yellow tape deter you from hiking Mansfield or Camel's Hump for that matter. The GMC likes to try to deter folks from climbing in the early Spring as the ground is still quite muddy (and after all this rain it will be very muddy), and the trail is at risk of being ruined... Take it easy and watch your step is all, no rnager will prevent you from going, and you will be surprise at how many you meet on the summit. Word of advice... If it's 50 degrees at the trail head you can count of seeing frost on the summit this time of year
Smugg's is a great day hike... The falcons aren't nesting yet as I recall... I went hiking around there in July 05' and there were signs everywhere and in fact some closed off areas to protect them.
I am going up to Mansfield this Saturday... Try it out!!!!! Camel's Hump is another good choice as is Mt Hunger. Mt Hunger another steep relentless hike... But all worth it

Thanks!
Christine

 

[Kevin Rooney]

I'd call the Green Mountain Club at 802.244.7037 and ask them directly. Whether you agree with their trail-closing policies or not they are the official stewards of many of the lands hikers enjoy. There are areas where falcons nest which are closed at this time, and the area near Sterling Pond may be one of them - the GMC should know.

Incredibly, some people deliberately go into these closed area looking for falcons! I remember seeing a couple from Louisiana doing just that several years ago near Brandon Gap. I was tempted to let the air out of the tires of their SUV ...

 

[HapyHkngSmile]

I would have let the air out of the tires

Warnings and closings are there for a reason.

 

[Double Bow]

FWIW, the falcons nest on cliffs, not ponds (JOKE). This should not be an issue at all. No need to call the GMC either. As Ivy pointed out, all trails that were closed will be reopened for this weekend. Enjoy!

 

[arghman]

FWIW, the falcons nest on cliffs, not ponds. This should not be an issue at all. No need to call the GMC either. As Ivy pointed out, all trails that were closed have been reopened. Enjoy!

...but the loop trail to get to the pond does go over some cliffs. I just called (thanks for the phone # Kevin!) & they said it would be open this wkend.

 

[Double Bow]

I was just trying to be humerous. I think everyone knows that falcons don't nest on ponds! Yeesh!!

 

[Kevin Rooney]

...but the loop trail to get to the pond does go over some cliffs. I just called (thanks for the phone # Kevin!) & they said it would be open this wkend.

You're welcome. And yes, the loop does pass ponds nearby. Am aware, Double Bow, that falcons nest in cliffs - used to live in Bristol, VT and the Bristol Cliffs were one of the early peregrin restoration projects.