Pete Hogan
New member
I recently found a local newspaper article that I’d been saving since August of 2006 titled “Mansfield a Tall Order” by Phil Brown. The narrative describes a classic circuit of Vermont’s highest mountain, Mt. Mansfield (4393’). Jared Gange also recommends this track in two of his excellent books, “Hiker’s Guide to the Mountains of Vermont” and “100 Classic Hikes of the Northeast”. Gange states that the Maple Ridge – Sunset Ridge Loop is “the deluxe route from the west”.
Indeed. I couldn’t agree more since returning from northern Vermont and would offer my own endorsement of this extraordinary route. In fact, this classic hike should be a must on every northeast hiker’s “bucket list”. The weather will be a factor on such a wide-open ridge so if you have the willingness and time to wait until conditions are prime, your hike will be as memorable and unforgettable as mine.
Due to a long round trip drive from home, I decided to spend the night before the hike at a base camp in Underhill State Park. There are only ten tent sites and six lean-tos in the park situated at an elevation of 1850 feet. The camping area is clean, well kept and effectively managed. At this time of the year and on a weekday night, I ended up being the only camper in the tent area.
I spent a very chilly pre-hike night burrowed in my 20-degree sleeping bag and awoke on a crystal clear morning to 34-degree temperatures.
The route (as mentioned by Gange and Brown) to Mansfield’s “Forehead” (3940’) started from Underhill SP and followed a gravely CCC Road that eventually ended at the junction of the Maple Ridge Trail. The moderate but very interesting open-rock scramble (1300’ ascent) started about twenty-five minutes into the Maple Ridge ascent. The climbing was challenging, exciting and lots of fun! After reaching “The Forehead” and connecting with the Long Trail, I was treated to a magnificent two-mile Alpine ridge walk almost entirely above tree line to the main summit (“The Chin”).
The summit was quiet, warm and spectacular. The summit caretaker remarked of the rarity of this day with little or no wind and very few people. After over an hour enjoying magnificent views of the Adirondack High Peaks, the Whites of New Hampshire and the Greens of Vermont, I reluctantly prepared to leave. My 2000’ descent began with a .2-mile backtrack to connect with the Sunset Ridge Trail. I was as awestruck with this route as I was the Maple Ridge Trail.
I carried three liters of water because there is no water available for most of this loop. Thanks to stunning weather, I started hiking in a LS silk weight T, R1 vest and wind shirt, but shed layers ending up in a SS silk weight. Trekking poles were very handy bracing for down climbing and stabilizing on surprisingly slippery dry rock. Common foot placements were almost polished smooth which kept my attention focused on personal safety throughout the day.
It was truly a great day over an unparalleled route. Over my thirty years of hiking, I have been fortunate to be on some of the greatest ridge walks in the east. This hike will now join that exclusive group. It was an exceptional day!
Indeed. I couldn’t agree more since returning from northern Vermont and would offer my own endorsement of this extraordinary route. In fact, this classic hike should be a must on every northeast hiker’s “bucket list”. The weather will be a factor on such a wide-open ridge so if you have the willingness and time to wait until conditions are prime, your hike will be as memorable and unforgettable as mine.
Due to a long round trip drive from home, I decided to spend the night before the hike at a base camp in Underhill State Park. There are only ten tent sites and six lean-tos in the park situated at an elevation of 1850 feet. The camping area is clean, well kept and effectively managed. At this time of the year and on a weekday night, I ended up being the only camper in the tent area.
I spent a very chilly pre-hike night burrowed in my 20-degree sleeping bag and awoke on a crystal clear morning to 34-degree temperatures.
The route (as mentioned by Gange and Brown) to Mansfield’s “Forehead” (3940’) started from Underhill SP and followed a gravely CCC Road that eventually ended at the junction of the Maple Ridge Trail. The moderate but very interesting open-rock scramble (1300’ ascent) started about twenty-five minutes into the Maple Ridge ascent. The climbing was challenging, exciting and lots of fun! After reaching “The Forehead” and connecting with the Long Trail, I was treated to a magnificent two-mile Alpine ridge walk almost entirely above tree line to the main summit (“The Chin”).
The summit was quiet, warm and spectacular. The summit caretaker remarked of the rarity of this day with little or no wind and very few people. After over an hour enjoying magnificent views of the Adirondack High Peaks, the Whites of New Hampshire and the Greens of Vermont, I reluctantly prepared to leave. My 2000’ descent began with a .2-mile backtrack to connect with the Sunset Ridge Trail. I was as awestruck with this route as I was the Maple Ridge Trail.
I carried three liters of water because there is no water available for most of this loop. Thanks to stunning weather, I started hiking in a LS silk weight T, R1 vest and wind shirt, but shed layers ending up in a SS silk weight. Trekking poles were very handy bracing for down climbing and stabilizing on surprisingly slippery dry rock. Common foot placements were almost polished smooth which kept my attention focused on personal safety throughout the day.
It was truly a great day over an unparalleled route. Over my thirty years of hiking, I have been fortunate to be on some of the greatest ridge walks in the east. This hike will now join that exclusive group. It was an exceptional day!
