Summit of Ellen?

[MattC]

Yet another Vermont question-trying to keep Toe Cozy busy I guess.

T-max and I plan to hike Abraham and Ellen next week. Since we will have only one car, we'll do a there and back, probably from Lincoln Gap, going over Abe first. Which means we want to go as far as Ellen and turn around. So, I want to be sure we know the summit when we get there.

According to Jared Gange's "100 Classic Hikes of the Northeast", Ellen has "superb views." The GMC Long Trail Guide says that the summit of Ellen is wooded, but that there are views from Cutts Peak, which looks like a sub-peak of Ellen about a half mile away. Both guides agree that Ellen is the summit of Sugarbush North. The GMC guide also mentions a clearing at the top of the chairlift near the summit of Ellen.

So, does anyone have a definitive description of Ellen's summit? Pictures?

Matt

 

[MichaelJ]

The sign is a dead giveaway, even in winter.

No, seriously, the out-and-back is a fine hike and the first link will take you to shots of that. The second was a winter traverse of the whole Monroe Skyline just a few months ago, so the sign was still there then. It does take longer than you'd think to get to Ellen. It's not the next bump, nor the next bump, just keep going over the little ups and downs.

You will come out at the top of the Sugarbush ski area and have to follow the trail along a ski trail for a short distance before turning left back into the woods. There was a sign there.

If you hit Mad River Glen you've gone too far!

 

[MattC]

The sign is a dead giveaway

Yeah, that works! Thanks a lot!

Matt

 

[Kevin Rooney]

As Michael points out, it's pretty hard to miss. When you break out of the woods into the cleared ski area, the actual summit is on the right just a few feet away.

Also, if you happen to do the hike in bad weather - the little building at the top of the chair is usually open, and will hold 2 or 3 people. It's a good place to duck in out of the weather to have a sandwich.

If the weather's good - there's a small observation deck on the summit of Lincoln Peak - worth taking a couple of minutes and stopping there.

 

[amstony]

Thats a fine hike, definitely doable as a nice day hike. You pass over what seems like a never ending series of peaks after Abraham before you get to Ellen. However, Mt, Ellen is well marked.

Try and save it for a clear day. The views above treeline from Abraham are excellent!

Enjoy the hike.

 

[Paradox]

The 360 degree views from Abraham are not to be missed. You will grab some nice views from various points near Ellen, mostly from the ski areas. Here are some pics I took September 2006.pics

 

[snoshoovt]

Ellen summit

Agree with other posters. Though the Ellen sign sometimes disappears, I did the Monroe Skyline this afternoon and the wooden Ellen sign on the tree was there at 8 tonight, along with the small cairn and concrete base of the former sign. The trail was just a bit muddy in spots, but could be navigated by some rock hopping without leaving the footway. Enjoy. -John

 

[Mad Townie]

The trail was just a bit muddy in spots, but could be navigated by some rock hopping without leaving the footway.

You mean the snow's gone?!?!? Where's the fun without the spruce traps?


Don't know what the views are like from Ellen, but those from Abe are superb!