Skiing Ethan Allen Pond Trail - Zealand Trail

[Brambor]

Howdy, getting ski antsy so I've been oogling maps in my spare time.

The ski trip to Zealand Hut is a classic as well as the Pemi Traverse but could anyone comment on starting in Crawford Notch on the Ethan Allen Pond trail? I think first one will have to either snowshoe or hike with traction over some steeps but then it appears to level out on the way to the pond. Make camp at the pond for overnight and perhaps try to do a hike up Mt.Willey for the day. Next morning ski out towards Zealand Hut and continue all the way down to 302 where you could (hopefully) carpool with a buddy who (hopefully) will join you on this trip (hear me Scotty?) ;-)

 

[DougPaul]

I've never skied from the EAPT trailhead, but IIRC, it should be skinable without too much difficulty.

Doug

 

[Tom_Murphy]

I was surprised at how much elevation I gave up going from Ethan Pond down to the trail juction for Willey.

 

[Brambor]

Thanks. That is good to note for the plan of making camp and then going back to hike the mountain.

I was surprised at how much elevation I gave up going from Ethan Pond down to the trail juction for Willey.

 

[Maineman]

This sounds fun and very doable

 

[Peaks]

In March 2011, we skied out the Ethan Pond Trail after staying overnight at Zealand. It was down down down on a narrow trail. Too much undergrowth in the woods to traverse most of it back and forth. Going the other way, it's certainly very doable with skins becausue of the narrow trail, and depending on the snow conditions, might be doable without skins.

For what it's worth, I'm leading a Pemi ski traverse again this year in March. Details posted on the AMC chapter trips and Catamount Trail websites.

 

[Brambor]

Thanks. Good news. I'm thinking about scouting it this weekend. Planning to head to the shelter tomorrow morning.

 

[Brambor]

Just got back from the trail. A couple blowdowns that are hard to go under/over/around. Otherwise a nice trail. I would definitely keep the skins on until after the junction to Mt.Willey(sp). After the junction is one last pitch up and then it levels off.

Met a thruhiker named Sherpa Chief. Great guy. He is going southbound. Awesome.

Sherpa Chief in the morning