Catamount Trail – Section 18 – Lincoln Gap to Appalachian Gap

Snapshot

This section includes a fun and challenging traverse and descent from Lincoln Gap, an open traverse of the rolling Sugarbush Golf Course with beautiful views, and a meander through the woods of the Mad River Valley.

Length

11.3 miles (18.19 km)

NOTE: Mileage does not include distance from the CT parking area at the end of plowing on Lincoln Gap Road to the trailhead. This will add 1.3 miles. 

Difficulty

If breaking trail, this section can take considerable time. Backcountry equipment with skins is highly recommended.

Reaching the beginning of this section at the top of Lincoln Gap requires a sustained climb on the Lincoln Gap Road from the end of plowing either in Lincoln or Warren. The initial descent on the CT from Lincoln Gap is very steep and can be challenging, even with deep snow. Between this initial descent and West Hill Road the route is rolling with many unbridged stream crossings, presenting intermediate difficulty.

Crossing the Sugarbush Golf Course is easy skiing unless a crust has developed or there is deep unbroken snow. The golf course can be windy. From the Golf Course to Route 17 is intermediate, involving some snowplowing and herringboning