Hiking Jay Peak

Curtis Hikes Jay Peak | Hyde Park, Vermont | April 2023

After my hike up Norris Mountain, I could see the writing on the wall. Spring was definitely here in Vermont and mud season quickly approaching. I knew that within the week lower trailheads would be impassable, and within two the upper portions of trails would be a quagmire, especially for South facing trails. But I wanted to get one more peak in before I threw in the towel and we moved further South, and I wanted prominence and views into Quebec.

We had driven by the trailhead for Jay Peak on VT-242 a few days prior and had seen that it was still open and still had some snow. Furthermore, the North Slopes and the ski resort still had plenty of snow, so I felt reasonably assured that even with two 70+ degree days, I would still have good snow coverage. So Friday morning, Jess graciously allowed me to go off on my own and I drove the 45 minutes North to where the Long Trail crosses VT-242.

As with all my recent peakbagging trips, I packed both snowshoes and crampons, but this time, because it was promising to be yet another 70 degree day, I opted for shorts and a t-shirt, carrying my thermal layers just in case. The trail was indeed snow covered, but only just barely. There were plenty of bare patches and flowing snow melt, but I managed to only use crampons on my ascent through the trees, trying to balance on the narrow ridge of compacted snow.

Overall the trail was very manageable; short and steep, but with a steady incline. After about a mile, I reached the boundary of the ski resort and shortly after I switched to snowshoes. Based on how far I would sink if my feet slipped off the path, there was still 2-3 feet of snow in places. Another quarter mile and I crossed over a ski run and reached the rocky section just below the summit. I switched back to crampons here as going up steep rocks in snowshoes is neither comfortable nor safe and soon I was at the bald 360 degree views at the summit.

This was exactly what I was looking for, and to make things better, even stopped and standing still, the temperature was perfect. It was rather hazy, but I could still see plenty. From the peak I could look down the ridge of the Green Mountains, easily picking out Mt. Mansfield. But more exciting was looking North into Quebec and the Montagnes Vertes. These peaks are short in comparison to the main Green Mountains, (Mt. Sutton, the highest, is a full 700 feet shorter than where I was) but they all have exceptional prominence. I even think I could see as far East as Mont Megantic near the Maine-Quebec border. I was so enchanted by the view to the North, I didn’t even think to look to the South East for views of the snow capped White’s.

The whole time while I admired the view, a gondola full of skier and snowboarders was coming every 5 minutes. I walked down to the building they landed in for a change of perspective and view of the gondola where I ran into a couple from Ottawa who were both impressed that I had hiked up (I stuck out like a sore thumb with my back-pack, shorts, and lack of skis or snowboard). We talked at length about the trail, the Long Trail in general, and some of the Quebec peaks I had been admiring.

They then strapped on their ski’s and went down one way, while I rock hopped over to the trail, strapped on my snowshoes and went the opposite. Aside from the skiers at the summit, I was alone on the trail and going down was quick work; sliding on the tails of my snowshoes for balance. And soon I was back at the car having only hiked for maybe 3 hours. I would definitely redo this peak with Jess, especially in the fall during peak leaf season – though I imagine there would be many, many more people.

And so closed the winter hiking season for me. Between our trip through the Southern Appalachians, and our time in Vermont, I had secured an additional 11 peaks with 300 meters of prominence, including 3 600+ peaks bringing my total up to 64. (My goal is to hike 300 peaks with 300+ meters of prominence, by the time I turn 40 in 2033; aka 300x300x33). The rest of the spring we would be in lower country and have less opportunity for big mountains, but we have big dreams for the summer.