Mount Ellen: 10/04/08 (Fall Rite of Passage)

Mountain: Mount Ellen, via Sugarbush Ski Trails

Date: 10/04/08

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Partly cloudy and cold (summit temps in the upper 30's)

Distance: 5-6 miles.

Report: A fall tradition...the hike up Mount Ellen before the ski season starts. Fall colors were great and yes there was snow on top. I hiked up an abandoned ski trail to Straight Shot, and then North Star to North Ridge Express, Northway to Lower Exterminator and then up Rim Run to the summit. Down the same route, except cutting onto Elbow and Lower Exterminator.

Lots of folks and dogs on the trails. They are also building a new lift shack for the Summit Quad. Pics will tell the rest:

Nice, thanks for the report and pics
.

Nice TR...wow it looks like it was chilly

The pics from the higher elevations are starting to look more winter-like. Awesome! Nice pics, TTB!

Oh yeah...some other cool pics from Route 17 on the way home:

Heaven's Gate from the backside:



Mount Ellen Summit from the back:

Nice trip report and great pictures too! That hike is now on my 'to do' list for next Fall!

Thanks for the great pics of Mt Ellen. Can't wait for season opening in December !

Beautiful!

Anyone looking for a great but much more strenuous way to see Mt. Ellen? I'd encourage doing a traverse of the Long Trail from Lincoln Gap to Appalachian Gap. That will take you over the open summit of Mt. Abraham then all along the top of all the Sugarbush Peaks, across the top of Mad River Glen, then down to the road (where you hopefully have spotted a car).

Awesome.

Thanks for posting the pix.