Tecumseh via Mt. Tecumseh Trail 8-21-11

[B the Hiker]

A friend and I went up Mt. Tecumseh on Sunday via the Mt. Tecumseh Trail off of Tripoli Rd.

We had never hiked the trail before, and it offered a quick yet still full hike.

Seven cars in the parking lot, and yet only two from the same state--Vermont.

The stream crossing at the bottom was not worth mentioning, although it would have been quite challenging if the water had been high. Do this route after a few dry days!

The trail is in simply superb condition! It adopter is clearly on tip of things.

It feels much harder than going in from the ski area. You will come to a false summit, which is a ridge, with the trail running both ways. The trail to the right takes you to a view area about fifty yards on. Proceed left to continue.

Just as an aside, we saw all of three or four blazes, which aren't needed because the trail is so obvious. We did think about how one could do a Tecumseh traverse in winter, hike over to the Osceolas, traverse them and come out on the Kanc in winter. Huge work, but if you're bored of the same old routes, it would certain be a change of pace!

All the best,


Brian

 

[JacobH]

Thanks B for the TR from a non-standard Tecumseh route. This approach is on my "rainy day, socked in" list of trails to hit. Is there just the single viewpoint from the ridge, and do you think the trail would be a mess in the rain (aside from the crossing)?

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

A friend and I went up Mt. Tecumseh on Sunday via the Mt. Tecumseh Trail off of Tripoli Rd.

A great trail!

It feels much harder than going in from the ski area.

Interesting observation ... I know that it is longer and with more elevation gain, but it does not have the relentless steep ascent that the trail from the ski area has after the stream crossing. I tend to consider it easier, though of course both are minimalist 4K hikes

We did think about how one could do a Tecumseh traverse in winter, hike over to the Osceolas, traverse them and come out on the Kanc in winter.

In summer you can do a nice Tecumseh-Osceola loop. Park at Depot Camp, Greeley Pond, Osceolas, walk down Tripoli Rd to Tecumseh trailhead, over Tecumseh and back to your car by the Pipeline XC ski trail.

 

[B the Hiker]

Is there just the single viewpoint from the ridge, and do you think the trail would be a mess in the rain (aside from the crossing)?

You have the view from the viewpoint off to the right on the ridge, and then you have the summit, and that's it. There is kind of a neat stretch where you hike in a very straight trail surrounded on both sides by extremely tall trees, but in general, you're in the woods.

Personally, I wouldn't do that route in the rain. There are a number of spots where you have to step on roots, and at least one spot where it's fairly steep down on rock. Obviously, Tecumseh is one of everybody's "go to" mountains when it rains. If so, I would go in from the ski area.


Brian