Home > Hiking > Hiking Trip Reports > Camel's Hump/Long Trail Hike

Page 1 | Page 2

Shelby and I got on the trail about 8 am and really didn't get any clear scenic views until we reached Molly Stark Mountain Saturday afternoon. We crossed Appalachian Gap (2365' elevation) and hiked the last two miles up to Theron Dean Shelter (3320') where we arrived at 5:30 pm. From the shelter we had a gorgeous easterly view. We had the shelter to ourselves except for a hiker from Boston, Jim, who had just purchased a hammock and wanted to try it out and a local rodent that later kept me up trying to protect my food supply while my companion and protector slept. It had been a 12.5 miles day and Shelby probably walked three times that distance so she wasn't interested in a mouse. The temperature dropped to about 36 degrees Saturday night so we were a little slow in getting up Sunday morning. Jim said the hammock was a little cold so he didn't sleep well plus he had heard the bout between the mouse and me. I apologized. We got a beautiful sunrise and warm sun so Jim and I hung our damp stuff out to dry off a little before hitting the trail.

I knew that we only had eight miles to do Sunday to Battell Shelter and it was a perfect day so we could take our time...just a walk in the woods. Jim was headed south to Battell also so we hiked together. He was good company. We stopped several times including Mt. Ellen (tied with Camel's Hump for the 3rd highest in Vt) and Mt. Abraham (4006' elev.) for some pictures, views, and just warm sunshine. From the view on Mt. Abraham we could see the White Mountains 80 miles to the east, Mt. Marcy and the Adirondaks to the west, Killington to the south, and Mt. Mansfield (Vermont's highest) on the other side of Camel's Hump to the north...awesome. Jim also knew where a Cessna hadcrashed into Mt. Abraham in 87' so we took a little side trail to check it out before heading down to Battell Shelter. We suspected that the eight person shelter might fill up so Jim put his hammock up again and I put my tent up for Shelby and I...away from the mice. Monday morning we only had two miles to Lincoln Gap where Jim had his car and my girlfriend would pick me up and take me to breakfast (must have felt sorry for me :-). Had a great hike and met some great people. In two weeks Canada south to Camel's Hump (92 miles)...my girlfriend, myself, and our two dogs. That should be a story :-) Photos from the hike here.

<<<PREV

Page 1 | Page 2

Submitted by Dave Mathis
Rutland, VT
Mon, 10 Sep 2001