With a forecast of cold temperatures and cloudy with a chance of snow, I was surprised to have a group of 10 people for the hike.

We started up the Battell Trail at a fast pace to stay warm and stopped only for a quick snack at Battell Shelter since some of us were cold. At the shelter several in the group switched from microspikes to snowshoes since there was a lot of snow. Others continued up with just spikes on their feet. (Those with snowshoes seemed to have an easier time going up, but the steep section at the top was easier going down for those with spikes.)

At the top, visibility was very limited and it was so windy that I had trouble standing upright. It felt like we were in the middle of a big storm in January and not doing an end-of-winter hike. We finished our lunches back at Battell Shelter and then headed back down to the trailhead. By the time we returned to our cars, the temperature had warmed up and we stood around chatting about the fun hike we all had.

For three of the hikers, it was their first time up on top of Mt. Abraham. I encouraged them to return to the peak on a nice day so they could see the great views from the summit.

Participants: Rich Larsen, Judy Bond, Chuck Bond, Debbie Page, Peter Cottrell, Max Seaton, Lynda Hutchins, Kim Farone, Tracy Sweeney; Leader: Sheri Larsen

Photos by Sheri