Hurricane Mountain - A Big Open Summit

Hurricane Mountain has one of my favorite summits in the High Peaks region. It has much more open rock to spread out on than many of the 46 High Peaks. While it still has a little old fire tower (picture to the right) which is no longer open, it does not need one because of the expansive view in all directions. There are three trails up Hurricane. I chose the one that starts from 9N on the road between Keene and Elizabethtown. In winters of light snow like the one of 2005, the road crew plows the parking lot on the south side of the road. The trailhead is on the north side of the road near its high point where it begins its descent into Elizabethtown. There is also a trail from the north and one from the east. In the summer the one from the north is very popular since the ascent is 400 feet less. However that trailhead is at the end of a somewhat obscure gravel/dirt road.

On this January day when I climbed Hurricane for the umpteenth time, the sky was cloudless, the sun on the south facing trail was bright, and I needed very little to keep me warm in the 8 degrees temperature. This trail starts immediately uphill for and ascent of 300-400 feet before leveling off and contouring across the face of the mountain to gain a ridge to the west. Soon after it fords a stream maybe 6 feet wide, the second part of the ascent begins in earnest. The grade is moderate at first, but ultimately you reach a point where there is no option but to climb at a pretty stiff grade. This winter's early freeze and thaw led to the formation of many little icefalls down this steeper portion of the trail. The little snow that had fallen since then was a welcome aid in the climb, but there were places where I had to leave the trail because it was too icy for safety. Later in the spring when the snow has all melted and the ice has not, the trail will be very treacherous.

On this clear winter day the summit afforded views of the Mt Mansfield and the Camels Hump in the Green Mountain of Vermont. The major high peaks are mostly backlit, but Cascade directly to the west is easy to pick out. Also as this picture shows, Whiteface is in clear view.

I hope you enjoy this non-high peak as much as I have.

NOTE: For a more complete description of the trail, please see ADK's (guide to) ADIRONDACK TRAILS - High Peaks Region 13th Edition, pp 186-189.

Hope you have a great hike!
Bob Goodwin