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About


Mt. Ellen, Nancy Hanks Peak, Lincoln Peak, Mt. Abraham
Warren, VT, Lincoln, VT

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Gate House Trail
Looking up the Gate House Trail

Route: Gate House Trail, Castlerock Connector, Middle Earth, Long Trail, (Mt. Ellen), Long Trail, (Cutt's Peak), Long Trail, (Nancy Hanks Peak), Long Trail, (Lincoln Peak), Long Trail, (Mt. Abraham), Long Trail, (Lincoln Peak), Jester, Allyn's Traverse, Valley House Traverse, Snowball, Spring Fling

Having not been to Vermont in awhile, I decided to check out Mt. Ellen and Mt. Abraham. After stopping in at Guest Services at Sugarbush south, I headed up their Gate House snowshoe trail. Generally tame with gradual footing, the trail eventually ended at the Castlerock Connector ski trail. From there, I descended the closed ski trail to the Middle Earth ski trail (also closed). After a steep climb, I eventually reached the Long Trail north junction.

After multiple consecutive days of trailbreaking and driving, I was a bit worn out and thus was bonking a bit as I worked my way to Mt. Ellen (light to moderate trailbreaking). Eventually reaching that summit, there were excellent undercast views to the west, north, and east.

After having a sandwich, I backtracked to Castlerock, then followed the Long Trail south. With natural-snow-only-Castlerock closed due to the early season snow depths, this section of the Long Trail was heavily used by skiers, making for a welcome break in trailbreaking. The directional views near the summit of Nancy Hanks Peak were also welcome in gaining motivation to continue southward.

The ski trails eventually departed the Long Trail, resulting in a fraction of a mile of trailbreak up to Lincoln Peak. Eventually reaching the observation deck, there were tremendous views of the southern and western undercasts.

The last segment of hiking trail of the day would be to Mt. Abraham. Once again breaking trail, I eventually made it over Little Abe and to the summit proper, from where there were once again superb views in almost every direction. While it was tempting to linger for awhile, I wanted to get down in daylight. Thusly, I backtrack to Lincoln Peak, then followed the perimeter open ski trails to the lodge, had a quick meal from the cafeteria, and headed out.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Mt. Ellen
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Very Difficult
Navigation: Moderate
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Moderate
Destination: Nancy Hanks Peak
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Moderate
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Moderate
Destination: Lincoln Peak
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Moderate
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal
Destination: Mt. Abraham
Length: Difficult
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Moderate
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Saturday, December 25, 2010
Hike Commenced: 8:53 AM
Parking Elevation: 1,585'
Destination: Mt. Ellen
Ascent Commenced: 8:56 AM
Summit Reached: 11:50 AM
Time Elapsed: 02:54
Trailhead Elevation: 1,620'
Summit Elevation: 4,083'
Vertical Gain: 3,023'
Destination: Nancy Hanks Peak
Ascent Commenced: 11:59 AM
Summit Reached: 1:12 PM
Time Elapsed: 01:13
Trailhead Elevation: 4,083'
Summit Elevation: 3,812'
Distance: 2.3 miles
Vertical Gain: 524'
Destination: Lincoln Peak
Ascent Commenced: 1:12 PM
Summit Reached: 1:33 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:21
Trailhead Elevation: 3,812'
Summit Elevation: 3,975'
Distance: 0.6 miles
Vertical Gain: 235'
Destination: Mt. Abraham
Ascent Commenced: 1:38 PM
Summit Reached: 2:06 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:28
Trailhead Elevation: 3,975'
Summit Elevation: 4,006'
Distance: 0.8 miles
Vertical Gain: 226'
Hike Ended: 3:36 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 06:43
Hike Vertical Gain: 4,238'


The Gate House Trail trailhead behind the Gate House Lodge
The Gate House Trail trailhead behind the Gate House Lodge

Looking down the Middle Earth ski trail
Looking down the Middle Earth ski trail

The Adirondacks as seen from near the summit of Mt. Ellen - Click to enlarge
The Adirondacks as seen from near the summit of Mt. Ellen

The Long Trail between Mt. Ellen and Nancy Hanks Peak
The Long Trail between Mt. Ellen and Nancy Hanks Peak

Looking over the Northfield Mountains at the White Mountains (in the distance) from the northeastern viewpoint on Nancy Hanks Peak - Click to enlarge
Looking over the Northfield Mountains at the White Mountains (in the distance) from the northeastern viewpoint on Nancy Hanks Peak

The Long Trail between Nancy Hanks Peak and Lincoln Peak
The Long Trail between Nancy Hanks Peak and Lincoln Peak

Looking south (Mt. Abraham on the right) from the Lincoln Peak summit deck - Click to enlarge
Looking south (Mt. Abraham on the right) from the Lincoln Peak summit deck

The Long Trail between Lincoln Peak and Mt. Abraham
The Long Trail between Lincoln Peak and Mt. Abraham

Looking at the Adirondacks from Mt. Abraham - Click to enlarge
Looking at the Adirondacks from Mt. Abraham

Topographic map of Mt. Ellen, Nancy Hanks Peak, Lincoln Peak, Mt. Abraham - Click to enlarge


Directions to trailhead: From Warren, VT, take Route 100 North to the Sugarbush Access Road (Sugarbush South-Lincoln Peak). There is parking at the end of the road at the ski area. The Gate House snowshoe trail starts behind the Gate House Lodge.

Back to Mt. Ellen Profile
Back to Nancy Hanks Peak Profile
Back to Lincoln Peak Profile
Back to Mt. Abraham Profile




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