Mt Mansfield, elevation 4393 ft., is the highest mountain in Vermont. Its distinctive ridgeline resembles the profile of a mans face and the more prominent features reflect this: Forehead, Nose, Upper Lip, Lower Lip, Chin and Adam's Apple. The Abenaki Indians spoke of the mountain as "Moze~o~de~be~Wadso" (Mountain~with~the~head~a~Moose).

The summit ridge of Mt Mansfield supports the largest community of arctic-alpine tundra found in Vermont. This unique plant life is remnant of the era when ice sheets covered northern New England. When the last glaciers retreated, between eight and twelve thousand years ago, small arctic plants started growing in the uncovered areas. Most perished as the climate gradually became warmer, but, on a few mountain tops, islands of arctic-alpine tundra persist to this day.

To appreciate this beautiful mountain I suggest a hike that I call "Walk the Face". It involves using several trails and will take all day and then some depending on your stamina!

MAP image someday

Butler Lodge Trail: From VT 15 at Underhill Flats, a paved road leads east 2.8m to Underhill Center, 0.2 m. beyond which the Stevensville road bears right and continues 2.5 m. to a parking area. Just beyond the parking area where the road bears left across a bridge (0.0 m.) the Butler Lodge trail goes straight ahead, crosses a brook, passes the Frost Trail [5] on the left (0.2 m.), and soon begins a steady ascent, eventually passing the Wallace Cutoff [4] 100 ft. before reaching Butler Lodge. Continuing the Butler Lodge Trail ascends steeply to the Long Trail (LT) (0.1 m.). Time 1 3/4 hrs, 1.7 m.

Long Trail North: Just beyond the Butler Lodge Trail Junction the LT passes through the Needles Eye and reaches the south end of the white-blazed Forehead Bypass [7]. The LT takes the left fork and begins a steep and rough climb over rocks and ledges, utilizing ladders in some places. Presently the LT reaches the Wampahoofus Trail [9] (2.4 m.) and soon comes to the highest point on the Forehead (2.5 m.).

Continuing north from the Forehead, the LT soon enters the woods and then comes to the north end of the white-blazed Forehead Bypass [7]. Just beyond is the TV Road (2.8 m.) which leads right 300 ft. to the television stations WCAX and WETK.

The LT bears left along the TV Road and in 150 ft. passes the south end of the Lake View Trail [12] on the left. After Utilizing the TV Road a short distance, the LT diverges right into the woods (3.0 m.) and reaches the Triangle Trail [11]

Triangle Trail [11]: Beginning at the LT just south of the summit Station, the Triangle Trail climbs steadily over open rock to the summit of the Nose. It continues easterly, reaching the edge of a cliff high above the Toll Road. After following the cliff for a distance, the Triangle trail enters the woods and descends to the Toll Road (3.6 m.) opposite a spur which leads to the Octagon, the upper station of the Mt. Mansfield Chair Lifts. Follow the Toll road (past the "Stake" up to the Summit Station where you will pick up the LT North (4.1 m.).

Long Trail North: (from summit station) The LT continues past the Summit Station, where the coinciding Lake View [12] and Canyon [16] Trails lead left. The LT then crosses the TV Road where to the right along the road is the south end of the Cliff Trail [15] which follows the east slope of the mountain. Beyond the TV Road, the LT comes out in the open on the rocky ridge of Mt. Mansfield. From this point north to the Chin and beyond hikers should take special care to take protect the arctic-alpine tundra by walking only on the marked trails (or stepping only on rocks). The LT passes the Halfway House Trail [20] on the left and makes a short ascent to Frenchman's Pile, a large cairn marking the spot where a traveler was killed by lighting many years ago.

Continuing north form the Frenchman's pile, the LT reaches Drift Rock and the north end of the Amherst Trail [14] on the right (4.6 m.) and the Canyon North Trail [17] on the left. The LT ascends the Upper Lip (4.8 m.) with its Rock of Terror. The Lower Lip is bypassed on the left and just beyond is the north end of the Cliff Trail [15]. To the left at this junction are the Canyon North Extension [18] and the Subway [19].

After passing the north end of the Subway the LT soon reaches another junction (5.3 m.). Here the Sunset Ridge Trail [23] bears left and the Profanity Trail [24] bears right. Straight ahead the LT climbs to the top of the Chin (5.5 m.), Mt. Mansfield highest peak and the highest point in Vermont, elevation 4393 ft.

From the Chin's highest point, the LT continues north a short distance to an escarpment where there is a good view of the Adam's Apple, the Lake of the Clouds and beyond. Dropping down STEEPLY from the Chin the LT soon reaches the Story Trail [25] (5.7 m.).Still descending , then leveling off, the LT comes to Eagle Pass (5.8 m.). From Eagle Pass the Hell Brook Trail [28] bears left to the Lake of the Clouds and the Adams Apple Trail [26] goes over the Adams Apple to rejoin the Hell Brook Trail.

Adams Apple Trail [26]: The trail climbs 0.1 m. to the open summit of the Adams Apple with an impressive view of the Chin. The Trail then descend 0.1 m. to join the Hell Brook trail (6.0m.).

Hell Brook Trail [28]: from the Adams Apple Trail bear left onto the Hell Brook Trail to head back towards Eagle Pass skirting around the Adams Apple. (6.2 m.). From Eagle Pass follow the LT south to the junction of the Story Trail [25] (6.3 m.).

Story Trail [25]: Built by G.F.E. Story of the Worcester Section the Story Trail goes around the north side of the Chin to join with the Sunset Ridge Trail [23] (6.7 m.).

Sunset Ridge Trail [23]: following the Sunset Ridge Trail down the mountain you have excellent views of the Champlain Valley (and maybe the sunset!). Assuming a westerly course from the Story Trail [25] the trail follows the ridge down to the tree line (7.5 m.). The trail then passes the Cantilever Rock Trail [22] (7.8 m.) and reaches Lookout Rock (7.9 m.). Descending, the trail reaches the junction with the Laura Cowles Trail (8.1 m.) and then the CCC road (8.2 m.). You follow the CCC road down to the Underhill State Park parking area (9.2) m.) where you hopefully have left one of your cars to drive you back over to your other car. Or you follow the CCC road left for 1.5 miles to the junction with the Frost trail. Bear right onto the Frost Trail for 1.7 miles back to the parking area (11.4 m.)

Underhill State Park parking area (leave 2nd car): Go pass Stevensville Road about 3.6 miles to the Underhill Park Road (there is a sign and a great hill for sledding). There is a fee for parking in this lot ($1 I think) but well worth it.