Mt Abraham and Mt Ellen backpack?? (VT)

[chinooktrail]

I am thinking about doing a backpack over in VT the weekend of Oct 13-14.

I have not done either of these peaks, and need information...

Is the Battell shelter a good choice for the night?

Do people prefer S to N or up and back or a car spot?

Any more trail info than I have on my Long Trail map for Jerusalem, Battell and that section of the Long Trail would also be appreciated.

Is camping 200' + off the trail legal in this area?

I have had a hard time finding much info on VT for some reason...

Thanks!

 

[blacknblue]

I haven't been for a few years now, but I've always found Battell to be a great spot to spend a night. Higher elevation than most LT shelters, nice area, and I believe it's staffed in the summer, so it stays relatively clean and cared for.

There's not a big difference hiking northward or southward. The scrambles to the south of Abe's summit are easier to ascend (northward), but it isn't a big deal.

Depending on who else is in your party and how much of a pain it would be to bring two cars, ascending Battell, then LT north, then descending Jerusalem Trail makes a good not-quite-loop. Otherwise, I would just ascend from Lincoln Gap, LT north to Ellen (or just beyond, where the ski trails allow good views north and west), and back. The ridgeline isn't too tough to make good time on. Battell is only an hour's hike from the road, though, so it would be a short day. You could do the main hike on Saturday, stay at Battell, then catch the sunrise from Abe's summit on Sunday, which is less than a mile north of Battell.

 

[MichaelJ]

I remember it being very steep and tricky footing at the northern end of the ridge, enough so that we thought if we did the traverse again (we did it as a day hike) we'd go N-S instead.

Traverse is the way to do it, and Battell is a fine shelter (yes, staffed in the summer). As for camping along the way, I remember some candidate areas (didn't really investigate) just north of Abraham, but go further north and the trail alternates thick vegetation and/or slopes, and ski trails. I guess if you set up late and got out early, you could get away with tenting at the top of Lincoln.

ED: Mt. Lincoln, not the top of Lincoln Gap

If you're set on a backpack, as opposed to a day hike, I think my advice would be to spot a car to do a N-S traverse, then see how far you get and bed down for the night.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

The distance from Lincoln Gap to Appalachian Gap is about 13 miles, so it's doable as a dayhike if you spot cars. Not a good candidate for hitchhiking since while there's lots of traffic thru App Gap, there's much less in Lincoln.

There are 3 shelters that I know of along this section. The Battel shelter is about the same distance from a trailhead, whether you approach it via the Battel trail or the LT from Lincoln Gap. There's another shelter near the intersection of the Jerusalem trail and the LT (you drop down the other side of the ridge) and about 5 miles north of that is the Thereon Dean shelter. These are all GMC shelters. In addition, you may be able to use the old summit building at Mad River Glen ski area. It's been a few years since I've been there so it may no longer be available. Unlike the 3 sided shelters of the GMC, this is a fully enclosed building.

Camping along the LT is a more relaxed affair than in the Whites. The GMC can give you specifics, but there are few "no camping here" locations. Having said that, this area of the LT is a bit narrow in places - not exactly a ridge walk - but has fewer opportunities for camping. If you're intent on camping, you could also consider checking out the ski slopes of Glen Ellen (Sugarbush). Lots of flat spots not far from the summit if you're familiar with the area.

 

[Paradox]

Last year at this time the LT was very muddy from the Mad River Glen Ski Area North.

 

[Mike P.]

Did it years ago, one month post breaking a bone in my foot. Managed to go from Lincoln Gap Northbound to the clearing past Ellen & back without needing a light & I was still slow due to the foot.

So I guess I'd just go out & back from Lincoln, ridge is pretty easy.-

 

[Puck]

I was up there this past June. There was no caretaker at that time. People say one should have been stationed there. We came up from the gap dropped our overnight gear and took a day pack to hike the two peaks.

I was also there the first weekend in March. it is a great snowshoe. We had to shovel the snow out of the shelter. That night there were mice on my head.

 

[Chip]

...That night there were mice on my head.

You mean in your head...And next you'll tell us there were great white rabbits bounding about the place all night...

 

[HuiYeng]

I've recently hiked Ellen and Abraham from Jerusalem trail to Lincoln Gap (N-S).

Jerusalem Trail is very gentle all the way to Long Trail and even up to Ellen. The wooded ridge is an easy walk. The upper section after the summit of Abraham toward Lincoln Gap has couple of steep section. Personally I prefer steep ascent than steep descent, so if I'm gonna do it again, I'll do Lincoln Gap to Jerusalem.

Coming up from Jerusalem trail once you reached Long Trail, make a left turn northward just a short walk to Glen Ellen Lodge, very nice lodge. We saw a building somewhere along the ridge (where the trail make a sharp turn, between Holt Hollow and Lincoln Peak), that may be Mad River Glen ski area that Kevin mentioned, the building is still there, just not sure if it is open thou. The Battell Shelter is an easy 1.8 mi from Lincoln Gap.


Beautiful trails, gorgeous mountains. Enjoy!

 

[SteveHiker]

I went out and back from Lincoln Gap two years ago. I've got really nothing to add other than make sure you follow the rules at Battell Shelter

 

[Puck]

You mean in your head...And next you'll tell us there were great white rabbits bounding about the place all night...

Sounds like you were there. Actually there were big white rabbits and fishers

 

[albee]

When I thru-hiked the Long Trail in 2004, I stayed at the Mad River Glen summit warming hut - "Stark's Nest". It was unlocked and clean, had a register in it, and it's availability was even noted in that year's LT guidebook. I highly recommend it - if the weather is good you'll see the sunset over lake Champlain and the view of the sunrise from the front porch of the warming hut was spectacular. If the hut is locked, there is plenty of room to camp comfortably nearby. I'm looking forward to doing that traverse again some day.

 

[Toe Cozy]

When I thru-hiked the Long Trail in 2004, I stayed at the Mad River Glen summit warming hut - "Stark's Nest". It was unlocked and clean, had a register in it, and it's availability was even noted in that year's LT guidebook. I highly recommend it - if the weather is good you'll see the sunset over lake Champlain and the view of the sunrise from the front porch of the warming hut was spectacular. If the hut is locked, there is plenty of room to camp comfortably nearby. I'm looking forward to doing that traverse again some day.

Yeah, what he said. I was gonna add that same thing, but couldn't for the life of me remember the "name" of the hut or any details other than it existed. If you go this weekend, don't forget it's peak foliage season, good weather, a long weekend and a really nice section of the LT. It'll likely be busier than normal.
Have fun.

 

[rocket21]

I'm not sure how quiet it would be at top of Mad River Glen right now, though, because they're in the process of reinstalling the single chair. Not sure what their work schedule is with it, but being the fall in the ski industry, it's possible its long hours 6 days a week.

 

[drewski]

do it as a day hike..out and back from lincoln gap..or carspot and do the ridge..then stay at drews..camp on the lawn or have your own private room..hot shower and food included???

 

[elvios lincoln]

Abraham & Ellen

Hi,

I did this two weeks ago as a day hike. I found it quite easy from the south.
The Battell shelter & outhouse are in great shape. There is water there, and a caretaker. It is an easy hike to the summit of Abe from the shelter. You might want to consier going up to the summit at night to look at stars.

There was not much else for water between Abe and Ellen. You hit ski slopes three times on the ridge. I think you hit Sugarbush twice and Glen-Ellen is just after the summit of Ellen, heading north. The very large warming hut on Sugarbush was open. I don't kow if they object to you sleeping there.

There are a couple parking lots in Lincoln Gap. None of them are real big. I would get there early if you go on a weekend. I would also bring some bright orange. I would not be surprised if they are hunting something now.

el

Ther

 

[chinooktrail]

WOW!! You guys are right on top of things.

Thanks to all for the great advice.

Hum, if I stay with Drew and Mrs. Drew maybe I can get a few more peaks in...

I promise not to leave any lingere around like some guests!

Hum, back to the maps to plan this out more.

 

[rup]

We hiked Abrahms -> Ellen over Labor Day as a day hike. Ascent up Lincoln from Sugarbush ski area, and decended via Glen Ellen / Sugarbush North ski area. Ridge was an easy walk, but 99% wooded. Also seemed to hit every possible high point on the ridge. Don't remember seeing any camping spots along the LT. The steep part just south of Linclon summit is very short. Very nice wooden deck with benches on the Lincoln summit situated among the pines and rocks.

Be aware that the LT re-enters the woods on the W side of the clearing just below the N side of Lincoln summit, and not the clearing further down hill at the top of the chairlift. Sign, if there, was well hidden. We walked past the chairlift N along a ski trail before finally bushwacking 20 yards W to regain the LT rather than walking back up-hill. The ski area provided a map of the hiking trails.

 

[amstony]

If your looking for guidebooks the Long Trail Guide and the Day Hikers Guide to VT are both excellent sources.

The Green Mountain Club website is also a good source at www.greenmountainclub.org

Enjoy your trip, weather looks great so far for the weekend.

 

[una_dogger]

do it as a day hike..out and back from lincoln gap..or carspot and do the ridge..then stay at drews..camp on the lawn or have your own private room..hot shower and food included???

What a deal! Drewski's got a great place to crash at!

My vote is to carspot and do the ridge from N to S then visit Mr and Mrs Mntn Drew.

I thought it was more like 16 miles when we did the whole traverse last November, and with the exception of the scramble up from App Gap, its a cakewalk.

Hope you have a clear day, unlike us!