Mount Mansfield via Sunset Ridge Hike

A group of four G.O. Hikers started up the Sunset Ridge Trail towards the summit of Mt Mansfield at about 11am.  Although there was not significant rainfall on the way up, parts of the trail were wet and slippery. 

Nonetheless, our group reached the summit at about 1.15pm, having passed into the clounds surrounding the mountain about one hour before at the halfway point.

Although we hoped that the clouds might break while we were up on the summit, luck was not with us and the clounds held.

After a descent 3/4th of the way down, a light rain began to fall and we ended the hike in foul weather gear and under umbrellas. 

En route back to Burlington after the hike, I looked in my rear-view mirror to see. . . that the clouds had blown off the mountain and the summit was now exposed! 

We'll meet at the trailhead for the Mt. Mansfield trails at the eastern end of Underhill State Park (there may be a $3 pp fee to enter this state park).  Contact hike organizer for details about carpooling from Burlington or getting to Underhill S P. yourself, which is about 17 miles east of Burlington or 22 miles northwest of Montpelier.

Once on the trail, we'll follow the CCC road up about a mile until the true beginning of the Sunset Ridge Trail.  Then we'll follow the SR Trail the rest of the way up to "The Chin," or the summit of Mt. Mansfield.  From the summit, if fair weather prevails, we should have fine views of New York, Lake Champlain, and the Green Mountains to the South.  After lunch on the summit, we'll head back down the way we came.  Total distance is about 6.6 miles.

Check www.weather.gov for Underhill Center, VT or Jericho, VT beforehand but I recommend bringing good boots, plenty of water, lunch, and whatever snacks you want.