Routes Up Mount Ascutney in Winter

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Assuming the weather is decent tomorrow I plan on hiking Mount Ascutney, a New England P2000 peak. Never hiked it before; I have the Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont which describes four routes, but gives little help in choosing one. What would you suggest is the best route up (after two days of hiking Dorset and Equinox)?

Thanks!

 

[percious]

I have only climbed Ascutney once, and I did it via the Wethersfield trail. There is an 84' waterfall along the trail that is likely to be be ice this time of year. There were some other falls along the way too. The trail is pretty mild, well marked, and I think is about 2000 ft. elevation gain. In the fall with slippery leaves we hiked it in 3 hours round trip. I think it is a comonly hiked trail, so it is likely to be broken out.

Hope you have a good trip.

-percious

 

[poison ivy]

Mohamed -- send a pm to Stevehiker in case he doesn't see this thread. He has been up Ascutney a zillion times and knows the trails there very well.

- Ivy

 

[Abster]

Hi Mohamed, (hiked w/ you on the Osceolas)

I was on Ascutney yesterday. It is a small mountain, but I am always surprised at how rough the footing can be. Toe Cozy and I went up the 'cold' side of the mountain on Brownsville trail. There is a quarry early on and we decided upon crampons at that time. It could be considered overkill, but there is a thick layer of ice under a thin layer of snow and we just didn't want to chance a bad fall. There are lots of rocks and roots on all of the Ascutney trails. We went down the Weathersfield trail, which was definitely the 'warm' side of the mountain with much less snow or ice.

Here's how I see it:
Windsor trail: the most steep and shortest - challenging - a pretty stream comes down off the mountain that you follow for a short while (approx 2.7 to summit) - probably still snowy and icy

Brownsville trail: Interesting with the quarry and ice falls/formations (approx. 3.2 to summit) - probably still snowy and icy (on the upper mountain we lost this trail and ended up on the Windsor trail)

Future's trail: longer and more gentle, pretty, follows close to the mtn road at times (approx 4.6 to summit) - not sure of ice and snow

Weathersfield trail: probably the most popular - for good reason. Not too difficult, passes waterfalls and a beautiful stream. We saw people from the Dartmouth Outing Club on this trail doing a beginner ice climbing course. Little snow by now, but a few icy spots. (approx 3.4 to summit) This would be my suggestion.

Hope you have a great hike and that the weather holds up!

Hanna

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Hi Mohamed, (hiked w/ you on the Osceolas)

I was on Ascutney yesterday.

We went down the Weathersfield trail, which was definitely the 'warm' side of the mountain with much less snow or ice.

Weathersfield trail: probably the most popular - for good reason. Not too difficult, passes waterfalls and a beautiful stream. ... This would be my suggestion.

Hope you have a great hike and that the weather holds up!

Hanna

Hi Hanna,

I certainly remember you and the Osceola hike! Good to hear from someone who was there yesterday!

I had been thinking of Weathersfield, as it has the least elevation gain, important for me after two days of hiking. Would yu recommend any traction on that trail? I love saving weight, but I hate sliding around.

Right now I am watching the weather, looks like freezing rain overnight and early morning, not ideal for driving. May try a late start with a late drive home.

 

[SteveHiker]

I didn't see this until just now, but I'd say she covered it. And by now, you've already done it anyway.

 

[Abster]

Sorry Mohamed - I didn't see your traction question until today. How was the hike?

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

How was the hike?

Tired after two days of hiking, so just drove past the Ascutney exit and continued north. I shall return and use your good advice.

 

[jime]

I would just add that parking can often be the deciding factor at the trailheads on the mountain. The Windsor Trail parking area is often unplowed though it was open when we went by on Sunday. The road to the Weathersfield Trail ends before the parking lot but you can park at the end of road where they pile up the snow. I haven't been over there this winter so it may be open since we haven't had a lot of snow (whine!).

As an aside we often hike up the auto road (when there is snow) and use butt sleds to come down. 1.5 hours up and 25 minutes down!! Lots of fun! Look out for snowmobilers though. And you can park across the road from the State Park. Also there are trails that branch off from the road if parking is tough at other trailheads.

 

[RoySwkr]

I did a figure 8 a couple winters ago using the auto road and parallel trails including a visit to the old steam boiler. I would say that the auto road is easier than the hiking trails but the parallel trail is less interesting than the other trails. I chose this loop as I had previously hiked all the other trails including a snowy but non-winter Brownsville-Windsor traverse.