Mt Mansfield (4393′) is the best mountain in Vermont and could be fairly difficult to climb in winter situations. I just lately climbed the height with a number of pals, together with my pal Ken, who’s mountain climbing the entire Vermont 4000-footers this winter. I’ve already completed the entire 2023-2024 winter peaks I “want” to climb in New Hampshire and figured Mansfield could be a very good change of scene.
I’ve additionally been desirous about mountain climbing and backpacking subsequent summer season in Vermont and figured this interstate foray would assist me re-establish the lay of the land. Whereas I did hike Vermont’s Lengthy Path in 2008 and climbed Mt Mansfield then, I’ve largely forgotten what it’s prefer to hike in Vermont, the geography, and get round its intensive backcountry highway community. However the 272-mile Lengthy Path was my first massive backpacking journey and returning to hike in Vermont is dredging up many good recollections.
For this Mansfield ascent, we determined to climb the Sundown Ridge Path which I’d by no means hiked earlier than. It reaches treeline at about 3000′ after which climbs to the summit alongside an open ridge in full publicity. I’ve heard folks say it’s essentially the most scenic path in Vermont and having now hiked it, I can definitely consider that. It’s a basic above-treeline ridge path with excellent views, despite the fact that they have been partially obscured by fog on our hike up the height.
The entry highway on the west aspect of Mansfield is gated closed in winter, so we needed to hike up the CCC highway and the Eagle Reduce Path on foot to achieve the Sundown Ridge Path, which added one other 3 miles or so to our route. Whereas we did encounter postholes (made by others) on this method route, the snow was stable sufficient that we may hike with out snowshoes.
When planning this hike utilizing a topographic map, it regarded like we’d doubtlessly want crampons judging by the steepness of the path. I packed a pair in case I wanted them, however I used to be capable of get by with simply my Hillsound Path Crampons, cautious footwork, and a few butt-sliding on the descent.
The Sundown Ridge Path winds via fairly forest climbing steadily to treeline and it was simple to observe the ditch made within the snow by earlier hikers. Once we burst above treeline, we have been all fairly impressed by the views of the valley under. Once I climbed Mansfield again in 2008, the summit had been crowded with vacationers who drove up an auto highway to the highest. I didn’t stick round and boogied off the height however I can see I missed out on appreciating the mountain in its entirety. Once I return this summer season, I plan to hike the entire trails that climb to the summit and run alongside its jap and western faces to expertise the mountain’s full measure.
We continued via a zone of dwarf timber referred to as krummholz earlier than the ridge opened up earlier than us in all its glory. The climb was surprisingly gradual and whereas there was snow and ice on the ridge, it wasn’t very deep or treacherous.
As we neared the highest of the path, it veered proper and handed via one other krummholz zone, this one coated by heavy snow, which made the dwarf timber appear to be silent sentinels. The snow was deeper right here and one in all my companions stepped in a spruce lure and wanted to be hauled again out. Spruce traps happen when a bush is roofed in snow however not utterly buried, leaving a void round its base. For those who step in flawed place, your leg will plunge into the void and change into tough to take away. Spruce traps are a fairly critical hazard in case you hike solo in winter as a result of you may freeze to dying in case you keep caught with out help to get out.
We continued alongside the west flank of Manfield till we got here to a junction with the Laura Cowles Path, which we then adopted a brief distance to the summit, which was intermittently smothered in fog. We shortly acquired out of the wind and had a snack break earlier than heading again down the ridge to the valley under.
Whereas Mansfield isn’t as excessive as the upper summits within the White Mountains, it’s clearly closely impacted by the westerly winds and precipitation, being the primary and highest obstruction the climate meets because it blows in from New York State. We’d had a light winter day with little or no wind, however I can think about that the Sundown Ridge Path could be a beast of a climb in more durable climate.
For those who’re considering of climbing Mansfield in any season, I’d advocate heading up the Sundown Ridge Path if you may get a very good climate window. This was a powerful hike in superb firm and one to recollect.
