Ed'n Lauky
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,802
- Reaction score
- 168
Trail conditions: Zeeland road is plowed all the way to the trail head. From the trail head at the bridge on Zeeland road to the split for North or Middle Sugarloaf the trail was hard packed by snowshoes with just a slight dusting over the trail. At the split the person with the snowshoes went right to North Sugarloaf. The trail to the left had been broken out by barebooters. I used snowshoes all day so both trails are now broken out with snowshoes. There were numerous blowdowns but all were easily stepped over.
Special equipment: Snowshoes are not required but worked well. On the steeper sections some type of traction would be appreciated. The snow is deep enough so that anything from Yaxtrax to crampons could be used.
Comments: I usually think of mountains named Sugarloaf as having a rather gradual ascent near the summit. That's not the case with these peaks, especially Middle Sugarloaf. The closer you get to the summit the steeper the trail. I was able with care to negotiate the stairs just below the summit of Middle Sugarloaf without taking off the snowshoes. The views from North Sugarloaf are good with not too much of an effort required to get there. The views from Middle Sugarloaf are outstanding. There is a bit more effort required for this peak but it is definitely worth it. Hale and Zeeland don't compare at all in terms of the view. This is another one of those "little gems." Thanks to Happy Hiker for the tip on this one.
Ed 'n Lauky
[email protected]
Special equipment: Snowshoes are not required but worked well. On the steeper sections some type of traction would be appreciated. The snow is deep enough so that anything from Yaxtrax to crampons could be used.
Comments: I usually think of mountains named Sugarloaf as having a rather gradual ascent near the summit. That's not the case with these peaks, especially Middle Sugarloaf. The closer you get to the summit the steeper the trail. I was able with care to negotiate the stairs just below the summit of Middle Sugarloaf without taking off the snowshoes. The views from North Sugarloaf are good with not too much of an effort required to get there. The views from Middle Sugarloaf are outstanding. There is a bit more effort required for this peak but it is definitely worth it. Hale and Zeeland don't compare at all in terms of the view. This is another one of those "little gems." Thanks to Happy Hiker for the tip on this one.
Ed 'n Lauky
[email protected]
