Hiking the Cliff Trail to Mount Mansfield, Vermont

This is the ridgeline that connects Vermont's tallest peaks. A trail, called the Long Trail, goes the entire length of the state. I love how the mountains continue to layer into the distant background. This is why Vermont is such a haven for hiking.

It was another beautiful day in Stowe, Vermont, and with the kids in school I wanted to head into the mountains and go for a photo hike. The top of Vermont was my goal today. Mt. Mansfield is the tallest mountain in Vermont, and there are several trails that you can climb to the top. I didn't have too much time today, so I took a bit of a shortcut. I rode the Stowe gondola up to the cliff house, then took the 0.4 mile Cliff Trail up to the summit.

The ride up the Gondola was breathtaking. I could see deep into Smugglers Notch, and the wildflowers were going off below me. The sky was about as clear as it can get, so the view just got better and better as I got higher. I didn't run into anyone else once I got on the Cliff Trail. It has some difficult sections to it, where metal rungs have been installed into the sides of giant boulders. Once I made it up to the ridgeline I was awarded with some incredible 360 degree views of Northern Vermont. One of my favorites was looking down the ridge towards the radio towers on the 'chin', and the Green Mountains layering off into the distance.

The temp was in the mid 60's, and clear and sunny. Perfect for hiking. These kinds of days you just have to take advantage and get outside for some nature adventures.

High above the mountain town of Stowe, Vermont. Looking down from the top of Vermont's highest peak, Mt. Mansfield.

Getting a little boost. Thanks to my epic pass, I can ride the Stowe gondola up to the beginning of the cliff trail for a shortcut to the top of Mt Mansfield.

Peak wildflower season here on the slopes of Mt. Mansfield.

One lone fireweed blooming at the top of the gondola.

I still haven't tried the waffles up here at the top of the gondola, but they sure smell amazing.

I always love signs like this. So much cool information packed into one sign.

View looking west from high atop Mr. Mansfield.

This is what hiking the Green Mountains of Vermont can look like. I caught this on a beautiful, late summer day in early September.

Ridgeline and mountains on top of the Cliff Trail.

There is another trail from the Underhill side of the mountain that climbs up that rocky ridgeline, called the sunset trail. That is how I climbed up my very first time, but not today.

A narrow trail under a huge vertical cliff.

Under the cliff, on my way up, on a beautiful day in Stowe!

The beginning of the Cliff Trail... beginner hikers beware!

Beautiful views from the top of Mt. Mansfield. You can see ski slopes coming down from the top of the quad lift... just waiting to be covered in snow.

It is a bit unusual to be going up this gondola without my snowboard!

A tight squeeze through some massive boulders on the cliff trail.

The cliff trail is a bit advanced in some areas, but it is the shortest way up.

I love this ridgeline.

As always, keep traveling and keep sharing!
-Dai Mar