Franklin County Highpoint Trip Report

Date: October 7, 2011
Author: Adam Helman

note: All coordinates are in the WGS84 datum.

This effort was part of a larger journey to complete Vermont and reach the Ontario province highpoint in October 2011.

Vermont's Long Trail leaves the gentled-sloped ski run here just under the run's junction with a much steeper ski path leading directly to the upper tram building. Facing downslope, the gentle ski run's left boundary has an opening to a man-way leading to the Long Trail. Take this man-way left for about 30 feet, paralleling the ski run and between two fences, and you break-out of this temporary imprisonment onto the Long Trail amidst pristine forest.

Walk the Long Trail west for 100 feet (as of Fall 2011 there is deadfall after Hurricane Irene). The desired "trail" to Big Jay is on your left at GPS-measured (44.94212° N, 72.53010° W).

There was annoying deadfall, particularly for the first few hundred yards. Later, and especially at the Jay-Big Jay saddle, there were flattish areas with mud. Hopefully this annoyance will diminish as conditions dry.

About 1/8 mile from the top is a three foot boulder right on the trail. There was no evidence of people bushwhacking around it. Hands are required, so making this effort something more than a Class 1 hike.

At the top (and trail's end) is a bottle with register hanging from a tree - and, remarkably, an upended sled suspended vertically. No views.