Camel's Hump (4,083') VT.

The most common definition of a "peak bagger" is someone who climbs a set of mountains in order to complete a particular list. But there is a lesser known definition which states: "someone who spends more time in their car getting to and from a mountain, than actually ON the mountain".

Living in the Boston area means that peaks like Camel's Hump in VT will always fall into that lesser known definition....

After a 45 minute ride in the opposite direction in order to deliver some concert tix to my brother, I made an about face and headed 4 hours north. I arrived at the trailhead - about 3 miles down a dirt road - at noon, loaded up my pack and headed up the Monroe Trail.

I have always loved hiking in Vermont. Every time I find myself talking or even just thinking about it, the word that always comes to mind is "lush". No, I'm not getting drunk when hiking VT - instead I'm talking about the amazing forests that cover every mountain. Even at higher elevations the forest is amazingly diverse, and you can't swing a cat without hitting ferns. Every trail seems to be bordered with beautiful green things!

With only 6.2 total miles to log for this hike, starting at noon was not a big concern. I estimated a 4+ hour roundtrip and that was exactly what it took. The hike itself was fairly uneventful except for the wonderful scenery, so let me shut up and just drop a couple of pictures...

Nearing the summit, the clouds broke over the mountain but they were still in the neighborhood. My summit time would be cut short when the boomers started to roll in from the line of thunder clouds about 5 miles west.

This one is looking north with Mt Mansfield in the distance. Mansfield is VT's highest peak at 4,395'.

Of course I performed my traditional 'Hailing of the Mountain Gods'...

In this shot (left side) you can see the cloud dumping a torrent of rain....

When the boomers started rolling I packed up and headed down. This shot was from just below the summit...

What appears in this pic to be a ladder laying on the ground is actually an erosion prevention attempt - probably the most elaborate one I've ever seen...

A pleasant afternoon spent hiking in Vermont. Indeed.

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Stats:
212 - successful New England summits
34/67 - NE spring peaks
26/67 - NE June peaks
67/67 - NE peaks in any season
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