Spring is finally here! And even thought the weather was overcast with a few passing showers Saturday, it was still a great day to be out in the mountains. The Long Mountain Ridge hike is one of several bushwhack circuits we have published here. With spectacular views of Mill Mountain and Big Schloss across the valley, this is a definite must do for the more experienced hikers who don’t mind hiking off trail.
The circuit is only 6.3 miles in length with a total elevation gain of just under 1,500ft, but has one of the toughest assents in the whole region. The hike up from the Long Mountain Trail, to the ridge on the un-maintained fire road gains almost 800ft in just under 0.5 miles.
The big payoff comes at the ridge where you get view after view of the valley, and as this is a bushwhack hike, you are almost guaranteed to have this mountain all to yourself for the day!