Mount Mansfield is the highest mountain in
VermontVermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
with a summit that peaks at 4395 feet (1,340 m) above sea level. The summit is in
UnderhillUnderhill is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,980 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.4 mi2 , of which 51.3 mi2 is land and 0.1 mi2 is water.-Education:Underhill...
; the ridgeline, including some secondary peaks, extends into the town of
StoweStowe is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,339 at the 2000 census. Tourism is a significant industry.-Geography:...
, and the mountain's flanks also reach into the town of
CambridgeCambridge is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,186 at the 2000 U.S. Census. Cambridge includes the village of Jeffersonville.-History:...
.
When viewed from the east or west, this mountain has the appearance of a (quite elongated) human profile, with distinct forehead, nose, lips, chin, and Adam's apple. These features are most distinct when viewed from the east; unlike most human faces, the chin is the highest point.
Mount Mansfield is one of three spots in Vermont where true
alpine tundraAlpine tundra is a natural region that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. Alpine tundra is distinguished from arctic tundra, because alpine soils are generally better drained than arctic soils...
survives from the
Ice AgeAn ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
s. A few acres exist on Camel's Hump and Mount Abraham nearby and to the south, but Mount Mansfield's summit still holds about 200 acres (81 ha).
The mountain is used for various recreational and commercial purposes. "The Nose" is home to
transmitter towersRadio masts and towers are, typically, tall structures designed to support antennas for telecommunications and broadcasting, including television. They are among the tallest man-made structures...
for a number of regional radio and TV stations. There are many hiking trails, including the
Long TrailThe Long Trail is a hiking trail located in Vermont, running the length of the state. It is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States, constructed between 1910 and 1930 by the Green Mountain Club...
, which traverses the main ridgeline. In addition, the east flank of the mountain is used by the
Stowe Mountain ResortStowe Mountain Resort is a ski resort near the town of Stowe in northern Vermont, comprising two separate mountains: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. The vertical drop from Mount Mansfield of is the fifth largest in New England and the fourth largest in Vermont. The resort is primarily owned by...
for winter skiing. A popular tourist activity is to take the toll road (about four miles, steep, mostly unpaved, with several
hairpin turnA hairpin turn , named for its resemblance to a hairpin/bobby pin, is a bend in a road with a very acute inner angle, making it necessary for an oncoming vehicle to turn almost 180° to continue on the road. Such turns in ramps and trails may be called switchbacks in American English, by analogy...
s) from the Stowe Base Lodge to "The Nose" and hike along the ridge to "The Chin."
Naming of the mountain
The name comes from the dissolved town of Mansfield, Vermont, in which the mountain was located. It was common for settlers to name Vermont towns for their previous homes; several of the original grantees were from
Mansfield, ConnecticutMansfield is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 20,720 at the 2000 census.Mansfield was incorporated in October 1702 from the Town of Windham, in Hartford County. When Windham County was formed on 12 May 1726, Mansfield then became part of that county...
, which in turn is known to have been named for Moses Mansfield, one of the chief landowners there. The Town of Mansfield was platted before anyone involved had visited the site; when it was surveyed, it was discovered to be mostly mountainside. Although a few hardy pioneers settled in the town's few lowlands, the town was dissolved by degrees, with the portion generally west of the mountain being annexed to Underhill in 1839, the eastern portion to Stowe in 1848 after a vote of the citizenry. The dividing line did not run exactly along the ridge of the mountain; thus, the Chin is in Underhill and the Nose in Stowe.
Topography
The ridge which forms the "head" of the "man" is aligned generally north and south. The "Adam's apple" is on the north end of the ridge, and the "forehead" to the south. From north of the mountain, looking south, this ridge appears as a triangular peak. At the northeastern portion of the mountain, there are cliffs. At the base of these cliffs (on the western side of the Notch Road,
Vermont Route 108Vermont Route 108 is a north–south state highway in northern Vermont, United States. Its southern terminus is at VT 100 in Stowe, and its northern terminus is at the Canadian border in Franklin, where it continues into Quebec as Route 237. VT 108 is long.-Route...
), there is a honeycomb network of talus caves. There are cliffs on the eastern side of the Notch Road as well. These two sets of facing cliffs are separated by 3 yards at their base.
Skiing on Mount Mansfield
In addition to other expert trails, a group of famous trails, known as the "Front Four", are Goat, Starr, National and Liftline. They have steep pitches, many natural hazards (rocks and trees), and little grooming. There are also numerous cross country ski trails around the base of the mountain and on its lower slopes. The Bruce Trail descends the east side of the mountain while the Teardrop Trail descends west side.
Hiking Mount Mansfield
Mount Mansfield has several hiking trails which lead to the summit. They range in difficulty from M (moderate) to DDD (very difficult). The easiest trail, rated M though exposed to the elements, begins at the Visitor Center at 3950 feet (1,204 m) near the top of the Toll Road and continues north, following the part of Vermont's
Long TrailThe Long Trail is a hiking trail located in Vermont, running the length of the state. It is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States, constructed between 1910 and 1930 by the Green Mountain Club...
along the tundra ridgeline, reaching the summit after 1.5 miles (2 km). An alternative to driving or walking up the Toll Road is to hike up the Haselton Trail (rated D), which starts at the base of the gondolas near Rt. 108, and ends on the Toll Road not far below the Visitor Center. More difficult is to follow the Long Trail from the other end, a steep and rocky climb (rated DD) that starts on the west side of Rt. 108 less than a mile north of the Stowe Mountain Lodge (the trailhead is labelled "Long Trail South"). The Profanity Trail (rated DD) starts near the top of the Long Trail climb, but instead of going directly to the summit, it ends on the Long Trail on the other side of the summit, the part along the ridgeline. Finally, the short (0.7 miles (1 km)) but very difficult Cliff Trail (rated DDD because it involves scrambling up boulders and walking along ledges) starts at the Cliff House Restaurant at the top of the gondola and ends on the Long Trail along the ridgeline not far from the summit.
Finally, there are several other hiking trails approaching the ridgeline from the west.
Marking the trails are white, yellow, and blue blazes. The Long Trail has 2 by white blazes (formerly red-around-white circular bulleseyes). The Canyon Trail is marked with yellow blazes. All other trails are marked with blue blazes.
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