Addison County Highpoint Trip Report
Mt Abraham (4,006 ft)
Date: September 19, 2004
Author: Brennan Connelly
route via Long Trail from Lincoln Gap
Despite the remnants of Hurricane Ivan making this a wet, blustery, and incredibly muddy day, this is a
decent hike. From the height of land at Lincoln Gap (2424 feet), follow the Long Trail north for 1.7 miles
to the Battell Shelter Junction and then proceed right for an additional 0.9 mile over some fun slabs on the
way to the summit. This is a very popular hike, so expect company.
I continued over the top of Abe to complete Mt. Ellen (1/2 of Washington County) which is an additional
3.7 miles each way and 550 feet of gain or so. The Long Trail crosses Little Abe, Lincoln, Nancy Hanks,
and Cutts along the way. There are ski lifts for Sugarbush located at nearly every saddle along the trail,
which detracts from the hike, but does allow panoramic views in an area where the trees would usually blot
this out.
The summit of Ellen is a small cairn about 30 yards north of the final clearing right in the center of the Long Trail.
I did not see the usual sign announcing the summit but I verified the location with GPS and with other hikers.
This is a very easy combination hike, allow 5 hours or so for the 13 miles.
Hike statistics: 5.2 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain (12.6 miles and 2,800 feet of gain to Mount Ellen).