Mount Abraham, VT - 8/18/12

The Long Trail in Vermont certainly boasts many fine miles of trails and we took Saturday to climb from Lincoln Gap to the summit of Mount Abraham (4006').   Another option is  to climb from the Battell Trail to the west, but we chose to start from the gap.

Trailhead sign

Starting at gap saves almost 1000' since the Battell trail starts at around 1500' and the Lincoln Gap trail starts at 2424'.  We arrived at the trailhead at about 9:45 and were on the trail by 10.  The trail is relatively flat for awhile before beginning a slow climb to the Battell Shelter.  The shelter is at 3250'.  There is a caretaker at an adjacent tent platform who collects $5/person from those wishing to stay at the lean-to overnight.  There is water available from a nearby stream and there is an outhouse.

Glacial erratics along the way

The Battell shelter

We stopped at the shelter to have a snack, then continued on.  Shortly after the lean-to the real climbing begins as the trail climbs 750' in the last .8 miles.

Approaching the summit

We reached the summit just before noon.  The Battell Shelter caretaker was on the summit providing information to those with questions.  He also had a counter, and was counting the numbers of people reaching the summit.  I was number 28 for the day.  There was a group of young people lounging on the summit enjoying the nice day.

View to the west from the summit

The view from the summit was pretty good.  Early morning clouds had lifted above summit height.  We looked around for a bit, then continued northward to look at the plane that had crashed near  the summit in 1973.  Miraculously, none of the 3 persons in the plane suffered any severe injuries.

Looking north to Mount Ellen

Looking SW

1973 Plane wreck on Mount Abraham

The plane is located just north several minutes from the summit.  There is a small rock cairn on the left marking a short heard path to the wreckage.  The plane doesn't look like it has been sitting there almost 40 years.

Looking back to Mount Abraham from the north

We journeyed on 1 mile further north to Lincoln Peak where there is a summit platform just above the top of the ski lift.

Lincoln Peak

The clearing provided by the ski trails opens up the views to the east and west.

Rev really thinks she is going to catch that chipmunk

The deck on the summit of Lincoln Peak

From Lincoln Peak, we traveled another .5 miles north to Nancy Hanks peak.  There is no view from this summit, but just a 100 yards to the north is a rock ledge affording views to the east.

The summit of Nancy Hanks Peak

Looking down on Sugarbush ski area

The viewpoint just north of Nancy Hanks peak

From Nancy Hanks peak, we returned the way we had come.  We didn't see anyone on the ridge north of Mount Abraham, but there were plenty of people climbing to Abraham from Lincoln Gap and the parking area was full.  

  

Mike , Leesa & Rev, back on Abraham

We arrived back at the trailhead at 2:30.  It had been a nice afternoon.  The weather had been somewhat cooler than weeks past, with temps in the 70's , but no humidity and a good breeze.  Some of the leaves on the birch trees are beginning to turn yellow and even a couple red maple leafs were found.  Fall is coming!  

Heading north off the summit of Mount Abraham

Mount Abraham from the road



Hike Stats:
Hike Distance:  7 miles
Our Hike time:  5 hours, 30 minutes
Total Vertical Gain:  2850'




My GPS track from Lincoln Gap to Nancy Hanks Peak