Pre Snow Preview

Today was most likely the best day of hiking so far this year.  My buddy Jake drove up the previous day from Boston and we arranged to meet up at the head of Jerusalem Trail early Saturday morning.  I woke up to a typical Calais morning, fog as far as the eye can see.  I threw my pack together and hopped in the ol' front wheel drive sleigh and hit the road.  It was only when I got into Montpelier that the fog began to clear, and in doing so revealed what was to be a beautiful day.  While I do enjoy a good hike there is nothing quite like a good roadway either and  VT Rt. 100 to VT Rt. 17 is right up there.  Change the street signs, license plates and throw in a few exotic automobiles and you have something very close to the mountain passes of the Alps that any enthusiast fantasizes about.  As I coasted down the west side of the notch accompanied by the roar of engine braking and the occasion chirp of rubber on worn pavement, I took in the scale of the days adventure.  The Jerusalem Trail approaches Mt. Ellen and Stark Mountain from West, where it joins the Long Trail along the spine of the Green Mountains.  Apart from a slight increase in the road's width and a small faded sign the trail is hardly visible.  We embarked on our 3.4 Mi journey to the tail junction, parting with the sun for the next hour.  Trail conditions were favorable, damp in some spots but not excessive, but damp enough to see an abundance of Red Salamanders.  The Jerusalem Trail is pretty much composed of steep uphill and relatively flat sections, unfortunately for us, more of the former.  We soon reached the Long trail Junction and head toward Mt. Ellen.  The environment along the ridge is spectacular, you can look and East and West and the natural contours of the ridge make for a rhythmic hike.