My plan is to go up Cathedral trail and with good weather down Helon Taylor, how much time does this normally take for reasonably fit people? My guess would be between 5 and 6 hours.

I have my DUPR for next Saturday 10/8 at Roaring Brook. Has anyone used the new system its says that DUPR's are excepted until 7:05am then they give away spaces on first come first serve basis. Since I've never been here i was wondering if there will be line of cars that I should just pass to get to gate with my DUPR, I don't want to wait in line only to realize i shouldn't have, how much earlier should I arrive to ensure entrance?

This strictness is freaking me out a tad I don't want to drive so far and not get in

thanks

5-6 hours is doable, but on the fast side. I actually did it in slightly under 5, but I was solo and going really fast (like, probably faster than anyone I saw that day). Going down HT takes a lot longer than you'd think - the trail is steep and rough for much of the way. So yeah, I'd say plan on at least 6 if you want at least a little time to stop and enjoy the scenery, etc. Of course the rangers will probably tell you that it takes twice as long - but they tend to exaggerate things over there.

Thanks

Should I bring hiking poles or with all the scrambling will they just get in the way.

Anyone use new DUPR system yet?

Jow wrote:Thanks

Should I bring hiking poles or with all the scrambling will they just get in the way.

Anyone use new DUPR system yet?

I didn't bring poles, and was glad I didn't - but I'm generally less attached to them than some people. Sorry, no info on the DUPR system (I lucked out and managed to get a walk-in site at Roaring Brook).

Scrambling is non-technical but will slow you down more than just a normal steep hike. I'd allow 7-8 hours and plan on enjoying yourself. Poles will just get in the way. You will need your hands going up Cathedral and some places across the Knife Edge. Enjoy.

I went there September 26/27. It was a warm weekend and it was going to probably be one of the last warm ones so we were expecting alot of people. We camped in the park but went to get parking at the Roaring Brook lot in the morning. We had the kids with us so we couldn't get there at 5:00am like some people. We got to the lot around 6:45am but we still had to pack our bags and eat. At that point the parking lot was probably only 1/3 full. Anyway we started up at 8:00am and the lot had maybe 1-2 spots left in it even then. So personally I would try to get there before 7:00am but I doubt that the place will be full if you don't arrive until after they start giving the spots away. It's later in the year and less people are there this time of year then even when we went.

Nope got really warm weekend Oct 8th trip report below.

http://www.summitpost.org/beautiful-aut ... din/753334

That's good. I didn't notice until after I had responded what the date this was posted was. Haha oops. Guess my info was abit to late! This was the first time I did the saddle trail We took our 7 & 8 year old up it. We just took them to the ridge because of time. We left Roaring brook trail head at 8:00am got to the saddle at 1:00pm then back to the car by 6:00pm. Long day for them!

Jow, nice TR. Unusually warm weather for October up there! Getting back to your original post question, how long did the hike wind up taking you?

It took 8 hours, a little under 4hours up Cathedral like 1/2 hour on summit and 3 1/2 down on Saddle which was slowed by us going on wrong trail adding i would guess mile and half. No complaints though since it was so nice out