Phelps to Tabletop bushwack

[dwadk]

Thanks for the responses. Actually we were specifically looking for responses referencing WINTER bushwack in snow. Wondered if this would make the bushwack do-able.

Going up in a couple of weeks and for part of our hike we were thinking of bushwacking Phelps to Tabletop, or vice-versa. Anyone have opinions on difficulty of doing this in winter; following the ridge easy enough? Can you see the route well enough if weather is fair? Is it worth the effort to cut out the extra down and up to do both peaks?

Thanks for any advice or opinions.

 

[king tut]

I did the herd path this summer from Marcy and it was pretty nasty. I can't even imagine what bushwackin from Phelps would be like. I did not see any other paths coming or going to Phelps from Tabletop. The trees and shrubs were pretty thick and nasty up there.

 

[bridgeman]

I did both of these mountains in September and chose the up and down route rather than bushwacking.

Mostly thick scrub between the mountains. Your best bet is about 6 feet of snow to cover the spruce scrub.

Beware of spruse traps!!!

 

[albee]

Be aware that the Phelps trail continues over the summit and does a little loop on the Tabletop side of the mountain. It won't get you significantly closer to Tabletop, though, but you will be tempted to try.

I did them both by the main routes. The normal Tabletop herd path will be steep and narrow in places, but IMO it will save you time and effort (and keep you far dryer) to go down and back up rather than trying to bushwhack between the peaks. It looked thick to me when I was there in summer. Please post what it was like if you do attempt this route!

 

[Rik]

It will be more work and more time to do the bushwhack. Please post a trip report if you do decide to do it.

 

[mavs00]

I can't even imagine what bushwackin from Phelps would be like.

BRUTAL......

A guy I was on a difficult bushwack last year has done it and reports that it's some of the nastiest thick stuff he can recall. On a happy note, he reported little blowdown, but then again, he said it was so thick in spots, that the stuff doesn't even fall over, it just rots in place.

 

[Rob S]

BRUTAL......

A guy I was on a difficult bushwack last year has done it and reports that it's some of the nastiest thick stuff he can recall. On a happy note, he reported little blowdown, but then again, he said it was so thick in spots, that the stuff doesn't even fall over, it just rots in place.

I don't recall where I read this, but I remember it taking someone 4 hours to go 1 mile. That's 0.25 MPH! Definitely would be faster taking the trails and herdpath. That said, please post a report if you do the bushwhack. Sounds like something Neil would try.

 

[Neil]

This is a lovely bushwhack. What I like best about it is that I have never done it. But there is a TR on this website by Ebbinghaus who has done it, bless his soul, may it forever rest in peace.

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3865

Maybe with 30 feet of snow.....