| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Mansfield (The Chin), VT |
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 | Trails: |
Eagles Cut Trail, CCC Road, Laura Cowles Trail, Long Trail, Sunset Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Summer parking area in Underhill State Park near the ranger's office/campground area. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridged or easily crossed. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Well maintained. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Long and sometimes steep hike. Plenty of water sources. |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies/gnats (no bites but got in our faces and hair) and mosquitoes lower down the mountain. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None. |
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 | Comments: |
From parking lot we took the Eagle's Cut Trail (wide-packed, dry, with a few rocks and easy grade) and CCC Road about 0.6 miles to the trailheads of Sunset Ridge and Laura Cowles. We signed in, crossed two bridges and ascended L.C. (about 1.4 miles). The trail was dry on first gradual ascent. Then it became a cascading waterfall much of the way up. Trail is mostly in the woods, thus sheltered, with lots of rocks but good traction despite running water, rather steep with a couple minor, fun scrambles. Laura Cowles was in good condition considering the snow-melt and rain we've had. It looked like there had been some trail maintenance done for blow-downs, and trail was clear and well-blazed. The higher up the more vistas and the trail is drier approaching treeline and exposed rocks. We hiked north on the Long Trail to the summit. Breezy but warm air, misty, fast-moving clouds. We descended onto Sunset Ridge Trail. Saw a few hikers. We took our time taking in the breathtaking views between the mist and we sat to watch the dark clouds come in. The open ridge was dry. Coming off the ridge the trail was wetter and muddier lower down past the spur trail to Cantilever Rock, but the trail is beautifully maintained with rock and wood steps and plenty of stepping stones to avoid most of the mud, as well as a series of bridges. We got to the bottom in time as rain and a thunderstorm was forecast. A fantastic day hike, just under 5 miles, with a short but steep ascent and a longer descent with expansive views. |
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 | Name: |
Flo and Joe |
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 | E-Mail: |
aloe@myfairpoint.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-05-31 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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