The Camel's Hump

[AlpineSummit]

I've had a longing to climb this peak for many moons now. I see it every clear day on I-87 going back & forth to work, I see it from some ADK summits, I even see it from this spot we throw our kayaks into! It's calling me and I'm listening.

When I finally DO climb it, I wanna do it right - as in best route. I don't care if it's twice as long, three times as hard, whatever. I just would like to get the best route - scenerywise - possible for this prominient, inviting, and alluring mountain.

Any thoughts?? Most certainly it will be a one car assault, so point to point hikes are out.

Many Thanks

[Fox]

Check this page out

http://www.summitpost.com/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/2019

and this one

http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/camel-hump.html

I haven't climbed this one yet (probably head up this coming summer) but since no one else has offered anything up I figured I could at least give you a couple of places to look.

[AlpineSummit]

Ah yes,,,,,,, bookmarked 'em both.

Many Thanks Fox, I owe you one.

[Michelle]

The Monroe trail is nice, pretty easy and VERY popular. It passes by a plane crash site, which is interesting...though I don't like to investigate crash sites at all.

Over the summer I hiked Camel's Hump via the LT and I have to say that coming up from the south really gives you an amazing perspective of how massive and impressive the mountain really is. It looms in front of you forever. You come up and out of the trees a few times and have great views on the ledges.

If I were to hike it solo, one car deal, I would park at the Monroe trailhead......Hike up Monroe, then over to Dean Trail (which meets up with the LT) follow the LT North to the summit (getting the amazing views on the way) and then loop down Monroe back to your car. That would be the perfect trip!!

Have fun!

[AlpineSummit]

Good stuff.

Thanks Michelle, I've already saved your post. This is the kind of info I was hoping for. Halfway thinking of trying it this w.end even, although I'd prefer summer when I can linger on the summit. (actually loiter is more the word - I like to summit snooze)
Oh those alpinesummits!

Much appreciated, I owe you one also.
Alpine

BTW - What's Gorham Lodge on the Alpine Tr. ??

[Michelle]

No problem, I love the LT!

Gorham Lodge was a shelter, but it was removed in 2001, I seem to remember something about heavy snow actually pushing it off its foundation.

If you take the Dean to the LT....Montclair Glen Lodge is only 0.2 (south...opposite direction) it's a nice little shelter with bunks and a table inside if you're looking for somewhere to rest out of the elements before the big climb.

[mtgoat]

Michelle,
Your description and advice to AlpineSummit make me want to come up there just to do the "Camel's Hump". That just sounds fantastic as well as the kind of thing I like to do. I can see that I need to get to the East again even if I don't move back!

Fox,
Thanks for the great links! They are very helpful also.

[runswithscissors]

Camel's Hump

Although the drive may be a bit longer and more remote, my recommendation is to ascend the Forest City Trail connecting to the LT. As you gain elevation on the LT, the rocky summit dome of Camel's Hump is in your sights almost the entire leg of the approach increasing in size with each step. Then comes the final exhilarating ascent to get over the "hump". Descending via the Burrows Trail makes an excellent loop and with a short connecting trail at the Burrows trailhead, you are reconnected to the Forrest City Trail for the short walk back to your car.
I have included a log entry for further details.

Camel's Hump
(4,083 feet)
(Forest City Trail & LT ascent/Burrows Trail descent)

Date Hiked: September 5, 2002

Conditions: All the trails encountered in this counterclockwise 6-mile loop were in excellent condition. There was only one stream with running water on the Burrows Trail descent.

Special Required Equipment: With the wind and chill of autumn in the air, extra layers were necessary to make this trip comfortable. The few (6) people I encountered on the summit were in hats, mittens and fleece. Trekking poles are as essential to me as good boots. They help with balance and agility and extend my reach on the descent to decrease knee and lower back impact. I carried 2 liters of water and consumed 1.5 liters.

Comments: If anyone is contemplating a hike to this glorious summit, you owe it to yourself to consider these three factors when you are planning your trip. (1) If a weekday is possible only then will you be able to completely appreciate the greatness of this peak without all the weekend traffic and summit noise. (2) If it is within your ability to save this summit for clear, sunny skies and favorable weather then your summit views will be as breathtaking as your ascent. As long as you are going there, you might as well appreciate the view. It is truly inspirational! (3) There is no better way to approach the massive, rocky cone of Camel's Hump than from the south on the Long Trail. Yes, there are other good, functional routes, but they simply do not provide the hiker with the magnificent view of the incredible summit cliffs and the exhilarating challenge of the final exposed ascent.

[SherpaKroto]

Alpine: I did the route that Michelle mentions in a clockwise fashion. The whole way I kept thinking that it would be nicer to head up to Wind Gap on the Dean then do the LT to Camel's Hump, returning via the Crossover (to stop at the crash site for quiet reflection) and then down the Monroe. One of the nicest short hikes I've ever done. From what I've seen of that area, get ready to hear calling form many more summits.

I remembered writing this on my Camel's Hump trip report

Then I turned around and saw all of the ADK's in their splendor. I thought "mental note to self: might be a new list on the horizon!"

[funkyfreddy]

When I did Camels Hump in 1997 I stayed at Gorham Lodge, got up at dawn, went to the summit and had breakfast while watching a dazzling array of clouds bouncing around the surrounding mountains and over Lake Champlain. It was an incredible experience and makes me want to go back to the Long Trail soon.

I was sad when I heard about the Gorham Lodge. I had an interesting jam session with the caretaker the night I stayed there, him on harmonica while I played his guitar. The end to enders loved it and kept telling us to play more. I've sadly neglected Vermont in my wanderings since but hope to remedy that soon.

Alas, so many mountains, so many trails, so little time......

[rondak100]

crash site...

does anyone have more info on this crash?

Mike

[percious]

No info on the crash, but I wanted to share my experience with the Hump. Our plan was to hike Southbound on the LT, which turned out great. We arrived at the LT at 4am parkinglot and stayed overnight. (There was a bridge out which delayed our arrival.) In the morning we were amazed by the dazzling fall colors. We started hiking around 10am, and followed the shallow grade for a few miles. We investigated the new shelter, which is spectacular. This would be an excellent place to bring beginners. The view was nice from the shelter, even if it wasnt as high up as Gorham. We continued on up and over the hump. Allong the way, you could look out and see the bowl created by camels hump, and lesser hills to the west. It was spectacular with the fall colors.

I remember that towards the top, this peak was kicking my ass. I was aparently out of shape, and carrying a heavy pack wasnt helping. We stayed at the summit for some time. The wind was incredible. You could just lean into it. We continued on down the LT to the valley, and I was really hurting. My buddy Will took some of my weight, which helped me get down. In the valley, we set up a tent on a tent pad. There was a Leanto nearby. I dont remember the name? Glenn Ellen? Anyway... The hike down was as nice as the hike up if not better. We had some really spicey tacos, then hit the sack. The next day we decided to hike down to the main Camel's hump parking lot. We got two hitches from locals, including a fun dump-truck hitch, and made it back to the car. Great trip over all. Definately do the hump in fall if you can.

-percious

[Dick]

AlpineSummit, you may have all the info on Camel's Hump you're looking for, but I thought I'd
post two more sites:

http://nasw.org/users/nbazilchuk/Articles/Camel.htm

http://web.mit.edu/kohen/www/trips/hik4.html

When we did Camel's Hump we didn't know about the crash, so it was quite a surprise to run into it (right next to the trail).