Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:09 pm
That's the best loop on the mountain. Nice views, some up and down. If you want to make it longer, start lower on the Forest City (there's a pullover below the main parking lot for Burrows). Hike the Forest City to the junction with the LT, etc. Take the Burrows down as planned, and then the connector down to the Forest City, and then back to the car. Adds a couple of miles to the loop.
The only other option that might lengthen the hike is to start on the other side of the mountain on the Monroe Trail. Hike it to the Alpine, then take the Alpine to the LT north (you get to see the wing of the downed airplane from the 40's), then to the summit. Come back down the LT to the intersection with the Dean, and then hang a left on the Dean to Monroe, and then down to the start. Also a nice loop, but the views aren't as good as your original route. Plus, they don't plow to the higher parking lot, so you need to schlep the road for a bit.
The snow has been great on these trails lately. Have fun.
The only other option that might lengthen the hike is to start on the other side of the mountain on the Monroe Trail. Hike it to the Alpine, then take the Alpine to the LT north (you get to see the wing of the downed airplane from the 40's), then to the summit. Come back down the LT to the intersection with the Dean, and then hang a left on the Dean to Monroe, and then down to the start. Also a nice loop, but the views aren't as good as your original route. Plus, they don't plow to the higher parking lot, so you need to schlep the road for a bit.
The snow has been great on these trails lately. Have fun.