big_g - Oct 21, 2005 11:32 am Date Climbed: Oct 19, 2005
Route Climbed: LT north summit traverse
Managed to bag this one during a short weather window. I was planning on a zero day waiting out the weather in Butler Lodge when suddenly the clouds began to lift. What is this? Views? Huh?
Just enough time to summit and make it to Taft Lodge for the night.
Route Climbed: Most trails Date Climbed: Many Times
This is probably my favorite mtn in the northeast up there with Katadin, Lafayette and the Gothics in the Adirondacks. Most all of the trails to the summit are great and you can't go wrong although I would say stay away from the one that crosses the ski area as it is kind of hacked up.
Climbed Hell Brook in a hurricane in 2003
Climbed Maple Ridge in the dark in 2005
Climbed Laura Cowles in 50 minutes in 2006
Route Climbed: Halfway House Trail to Long Trail to Sunset Ridge Date Climbed: 10/10/05
Misty, foggy and wet but beautiful. Nice loop, ~4 - 5 hours total. To get to Halfway House Trail (blue marker), start in Underhill State Park, start up CCC Road, follow signs for Sunset Ridge, stay Right at bridge on left that begins Sunset Ridge. Halfway House Trail starts a bit more up the road, to the left. Nice trail, a bit wet with lots of streams. Emerge near relay station above tree line. Pick up long trail (white) going left, follow along ridge until meet with Sunset Ridge (blue market to left). Continue along ridge for a while, descend back to parking lot.
Route Climbed: Hell Brook/Hell Brook CutOff/Long Trail North to Summit/Haselton Date Climbed: October 6, 2005
Wet trip up Hell Brook, very muddy on the cutoff to the Long Trail. Hazy day on top of the mountain, could not see Lake Champlain. Nice climb back down Haselton.
Route Climbed: Sunset Ridge Trail Date Climbed: August 22, 2005
Sunset Ridge trail was a great suggestion from the fellow at Climb High in Burlington. Much of the trip was spent above timberline, which was nice since my sister had never been. The Sunset Ridge gave great views of the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Weather deteriorated the higher we climbed. At the summit there was very limited visibility and it was very windy, damp and cold. A great trip on a great route. Will do it again.
Arrived at the summit in a white out and a driving rain. Could not see my partner 10 feet away. We looked around and found the geodisc and then descended the same way down into better weather. All the rain seemed to be on top.
Route Climbed: Up Laurel Coles, Down Sunset Ridge Date Climbed: June 21, 2005
My second attempt at Mansfield summit after a failure last summer due to some heavy rains that created a full scale river along side of Chin clip going up the long trail from Rt. 108. Decided to try the Underhill side today and after talking to the Ranger I opted the shadey Laurel trail up via the CCC and the views of Sunset on the way back. Had a late start today around 3P but still summited at 4:20 and called my wife from the top since she was with me on the last attempt. Got some great pictures and re-hydrated before the trip down. Loved sunset but wished I had packed hiking boots since my sneakers were slipping on the wet rock most of the way down. Finished up around 6:30P. What a great afternoon.
Route Climbed: Laura Cowles and Sunset Ridge Trails Date Climbed: Feb 27, 2005
Up Laura Cowles Trail in the shelter of the trees, then out into the exposed summit winds. Temps in the teens, wind steady at 30-40 mph with higher gusts. Visibility over 75 miles, with views to the Whites, the Adirondacks, and beyond. Great day. Hiking from the Underhill State Park side much more sensible than Long Trail for winter ascent.
I have been climbing this mountain regularly since I moved to VT in 1992. I've been to the summit around 45 times or so, but have also hiked and skied all over and around the mountain. Now I'm lucky enough to have a full view of the western side of the mountain right out my back window. Nothing beats watching the full moon rise over the "Forehead" on a clear fall night. Beware of the Wampahoofus!
Route Climbed: Long/Profanity Route Date Climbed: October 3-4, 2004
Climbed with Flanders on our annual trip to the mountains. Departed Lake Willoughby in the morning and made Smuggler's Notch by sometime just after noon. Stashed the car in some woods nearby and started up in early afternoon. Trail up to Taft Lodge was nice and went quicker than expected. Lightened our packs there and headed up to the summit late afternoon. Profanity Trail was fun. Reminded me of a shorter version of Tuckerman Ravine on Washington (which you can see on the horizon from the summit of Mansfield). Came back down after lounging about various places from between the Adams Apple and the Chin to between the Chin and the Nose.
Had dehydrated dinner and was fortunate enough to be able to borrow a filter from an AT Thru-hiker in the lodge. Saved us time of boiling water to drink. Went to bed early but the lodge caretaker and his stoner buddies kept us up a while with their antics and herbal odors. Headed down the next morning early and enjoyed neat morning sunlight beaming through red and orange leaves above on the trail.
Is a nice hike and a bit less full of tourons than the summit of New Hampshire's Mt. Washington.
Ranger Review-
Ranger #1-on the summit met a guy named Brian whom we would meet again on Camel's Hump. Looks a bit like a long-haired version of the villain in the Matrix movies. Very passionate about the flora and fauna.
Ranger #2-leg-tattooed granola girl, didn't say much
Ranger#3-attractive-faced blonde girl with legs muscled like Herschel Walker in his prime. Unfortunately, they were about as hairy as Herschel's and I am not into the European thing like that.
Ranger #4-the Caretaker of the lodge. Stoner guy named Dan. Nice enough but duuuuuuude, Cheech and Chong called and they want their pot back.
Route Climbed: Long-Profanity Trail Date Climbed: October 3 2004
60 degrees on 108, 35 and breezy on the summit. Views were clear in all directions with Lake Champlain and the Daks dominating the Western views. Camel's Hump to the south was amazing and Mount Washington (pointed out by the summit caretakers) was visible to the East.
Stayed at the Taft Lodge overnight and enjoyed the sunrise.
Route Climbed: C.C.C. Road to Wampahoofus to Sunset Ridge trail, Long Trail in winter Date Climbed: June 2000 and January 2004
Some hand over hand, not overly difficult but some nice steep sections in short stretches. I was the only one ascending the Long Trail in winter the day I went, trail is a bit difficult to follow in deep snow, short rock/ice section at very end. Both times an excellent hike
Route Climbed: Long Trail Date Climbed: August 1999
Surprisingly excellent hike. Decided to hike up at the last minute while on vacation in Stowe. We underestimated the length of the hike and should have brought more than water and one Powerbar. Fantastic views from the top.
big_g - Oct 21, 2005 11:32 am Date Climbed: Oct 19, 2005
Route Climbed: LT north summit traverseManaged to bag this one during a short weather window. I was planning on a zero day waiting out the weather in Butler Lodge when suddenly the clouds began to lift. What is this? Views? Huh?
Just enough time to summit and make it to Taft Lodge for the night.
Seth Maciejowski - Oct 14, 2005 5:17 pm
Route Climbed: Most trails Date Climbed: Many TimesThis is probably my favorite mtn in the northeast up there with Katadin, Lafayette and the Gothics in the Adirondacks. Most all of the trails to the summit are great and you can't go wrong although I would say stay away from the one that crosses the ski area as it is kind of hacked up.
Climbed Hell Brook in a hurricane in 2003
Climbed Maple Ridge in the dark in 2005
Climbed Laura Cowles in 50 minutes in 2006
I love this mountain!
sdespins - Oct 12, 2005 9:56 am
Route Climbed: Halfway House Trail to Long Trail to Sunset Ridge Date Climbed: 10/10/05Misty, foggy and wet but beautiful. Nice loop, ~4 - 5 hours total. To get to Halfway House Trail (blue marker), start in Underhill State Park, start up CCC Road, follow signs for Sunset Ridge, stay Right at bridge on left that begins Sunset Ridge. Halfway House Trail starts a bit more up the road, to the left. Nice trail, a bit wet with lots of streams. Emerge near relay station above tree line. Pick up long trail (white) going left, follow along ridge until meet with Sunset Ridge (blue market to left). Continue along ridge for a while, descend back to parking lot.
tammyvh - Oct 10, 2005 12:54 pm
Route Climbed: Hell Brook/Hell Brook CutOff/Long Trail North to Summit/Haselton Date Climbed: October 6, 2005Wet trip up Hell Brook, very muddy on the cutoff to the Long Trail. Hazy day on top of the mountain, could not see Lake Champlain. Nice climb back down Haselton.
mtnbnd - Oct 4, 2005 11:26 am
Route Climbed: Sunset Ridge Trail Date Climbed: August 22, 2005Sunset Ridge trail was a great suggestion from the fellow at Climb High in Burlington. Much of the trip was spent above timberline, which was nice since my sister had never been. The Sunset Ridge gave great views of the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Weather deteriorated the higher we climbed. At the summit there was very limited visibility and it was very windy, damp and cold. A great trip on a great route. Will do it again.
James_W - Oct 4, 2005 10:49 am
Route Climbed: Sunset Ridge Date Climbed: March, 2005A beautiful day in Vermont. This is the best time to approach as there are no crowds to deal with. Mansfield is impressive covered in snow.
TLP - Sep 8, 2005 3:53 pm
Route Climbed: Long Trail Date Climbed: September 5, 2005Steep the whole way! Terrific views! Awesome time!
woodstrider - Aug 9, 2005 3:21 pm
Route Climbed: Long Path Date Climbed: 9/7/97Arrived at the summit in a white out and a driving rain. Could not see my partner 10 feet away. We looked around and found the geodisc and then descended the same way down into better weather. All the rain seemed to be on top.
hhsilleck - Jul 5, 2005 7:31 pm
Route Climbed: Long / Profanity Trail Date Climbed: July 1, 2005My first eastern states mountain - very humid compared to Colorado!
dobsonian - Jun 21, 2005 11:06 pm
Route Climbed: Up Laurel Coles, Down Sunset Ridge Date Climbed: June 21, 2005My second attempt at Mansfield summit after a failure last summer due to some heavy rains that created a full scale river along side of Chin clip going up the long trail from Rt. 108. Decided to try the Underhill side today and after talking to the Ranger I opted the shadey Laurel trail up via the CCC and the views of Sunset on the way back. Had a late start today around 3P but still summited at 4:20 and called my wife from the top since she was with me on the last attempt. Got some great pictures and re-hydrated before the trip down. Loved sunset but wished I had packed hiking boots since my sneakers were slipping on the wet rock most of the way down. Finished up around 6:30P. What a great afternoon.
WhiteLief - Mar 2, 2005 6:00 am
Route Climbed: Laura Cowles and Sunset Ridge Trails Date Climbed: Feb 27, 2005Up Laura Cowles Trail in the shelter of the trees, then out into the exposed summit winds. Temps in the teens, wind steady at 30-40 mph with higher gusts. Visibility over 75 miles, with views to the Whites, the Adirondacks, and beyond. Great day. Hiking from the Underhill State Park side much more sensible than Long Trail for winter ascent.
chilkoot - Feb 3, 2005 8:32 pm
Route Climbed: All Date Climbed: NumerousI have been climbing this mountain regularly since I moved to VT in 1992. I've been to the summit around 45 times or so, but have also hiked and skied all over and around the mountain. Now I'm lucky enough to have a full view of the western side of the mountain right out my back window. Nothing beats watching the full moon rise over the "Forehead" on a clear fall night. Beware of the Wampahoofus!
Steve Gruhn - Jan 30, 2005 5:33 pm
Route Climbed: Long Trail to Profanity Trail and Sunset Ridge Date Climbed: November 10, 2001, and October 13, 2004Nice hikes.
Brian Jenkins - Oct 13, 2004 12:37 am
Route Climbed: Long/Profanity Route Date Climbed: October 3-4, 2004Climbed with Flanders on our annual trip to the mountains. Departed Lake Willoughby in the morning and made Smuggler's Notch by sometime just after noon. Stashed the car in some woods nearby and started up in early afternoon. Trail up to Taft Lodge was nice and went quicker than expected. Lightened our packs there and headed up to the summit late afternoon. Profanity Trail was fun. Reminded me of a shorter version of Tuckerman Ravine on Washington (which you can see on the horizon from the summit of Mansfield). Came back down after lounging about various places from between the Adams Apple and the Chin to between the Chin and the Nose.
Had dehydrated dinner and was fortunate enough to be able to borrow a filter from an AT Thru-hiker in the lodge. Saved us time of boiling water to drink. Went to bed early but the lodge caretaker and his stoner buddies kept us up a while with their antics and herbal odors. Headed down the next morning early and enjoyed neat morning sunlight beaming through red and orange leaves above on the trail.
Is a nice hike and a bit less full of tourons than the summit of New Hampshire's Mt. Washington.
Ranger Review-
Ranger #1-on the summit met a guy named Brian whom we would meet again on Camel's Hump. Looks a bit like a long-haired version of the villain in the Matrix movies. Very passionate about the flora and fauna.
Ranger #2-leg-tattooed granola girl, didn't say much
Ranger#3-attractive-faced blonde girl with legs muscled like Herschel Walker in his prime. Unfortunately, they were about as hairy as Herschel's and I am not into the European thing like that.
Ranger #4-the Caretaker of the lodge. Stoner guy named Dan. Nice enough but duuuuuuude, Cheech and Chong called and they want their pot back.
Flanders - Oct 8, 2004 4:54 pm
Route Climbed: Long-Profanity Trail Date Climbed: October 3 200460 degrees on 108, 35 and breezy on the summit. Views were clear in all directions with Lake Champlain and the Daks dominating the Western views. Camel's Hump to the south was amazing and Mount Washington (pointed out by the summit caretakers) was visible to the East.
Stayed at the Taft Lodge overnight and enjoyed the sunrise.
woodstrider - Sep 9, 2004 2:52 pm
Date Climbed: 9-97Hiked this in a driving rain and pea-soup thick fog. Nerses 10 feet away was all but invisible. Smuggler's Notch looked very mysterious in the fog.
orandall - Sep 2, 2004 2:30 pm
Route Climbed: trail Date Climbed: September 1993rained - but fun trip
dspal - Aug 2, 2004 8:17 pm
Route Climbed: C.C.C. Road to Wampahoofus to Sunset Ridge trail, Long Trail in winter Date Climbed: June 2000 and January 2004Some hand over hand, not overly difficult but some nice steep sections in short stretches. I was the only one ascending the Long Trail in winter the day I went, trail is a bit difficult to follow in deep snow, short rock/ice section at very end. Both times an excellent hike
mikethehiker - Feb 23, 2004 7:49 pm
Route Climbed: long trail Date Climbed: september 2002Splendid hike, but no water on the trail!!!
demo1427 - Nov 28, 2003 5:03 am
Route Climbed: Long Trail Date Climbed: August 1999Surprisingly excellent hike. Decided to hike up at the last minute while on vacation in Stowe. We underestimated the length of the hike and should have brought more than water and one Powerbar. Fantastic views from the top.