Mount Mansfield

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Mount Mansfield is the highest mountain in the U.S. State of Vermont. The peak elevation, in the town of Underhill, is 4393 ft. (1339 m) above mean sea level. The mountain has the appearance of a human face when viewed from the east with distinct forehead, nose, lips, chin (the highest point) and an Adam's apple.

Mount Mansfield is one of the two spots in Vermont where true Arctic tundra survives from the ice ages. A few acres exist on Camel's Hump immediately to the south, but Mount Mansfield's summit still holds about 200 acres.

The mountain is used for various recreational and commercial purposes. The summit is home to transmitter towers for a number of local TV and radio stations. Mount Mansfield has many hiking trails, including the Long Trail, which traverses the main ridgeline. Additionally, the east flank of the mountain is used by the Stowe Mountain Resort for skiing and tourism, and for a toll road that is open to automobiles.

History

Westward view from the top of Mt Mansfield

The mountain was called Moze-o-de-be-Wadso by the Abnaki, which meant "Mountain-With-A-Head-Like-A-Moose." The name Mansfield came from the now dissolved town of Mansfield, Vermont in which the mountain was located. A popular misconception is that the mountain and the town were named after William Murray, First Earl of Mansfield. However, the Earldom did not even exist until twenty years after the town was granted. The fact is, several of the original grantees were from Mansfield, Connecticut, which, in turn, is known to have been named for Moses Mansfield, one of the chief landowners there (it was common for settlers to name Vermont towns for their previous homes).

Skiing on Mount Mansfield

Mount Mansfield is home to four of the most challenging ski trails in the U.S. In addition to other expert trails, these famous trails are known as the "Front Four". The Front Four are Goat, Starr, National and Liftline and contain 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. Addtionally, two backcountry ski trails, the Bruce Trail and the Teardrop Trail, descend Mount Mansfield on the east side and west side, respectively.

Hiking Mount Mansfield

Mount Mansfield has about four major trails of which one can hike to get to the summit. They rank in difficulty from M-DDD. M is moderate and DDD is very difficult. The Long Trail, a famed one of the Appalachain Mountains is ranked as M as well as the trail named Haselton Trail. More difficult is Profanity Trail, which is ranked as a DD (More Difficult) and the very difficult trail the Cliff Trail, a DDD. These trails extend to the peaks named The Forehead, an elevation of 3940 ft., the Upper Lip and the Lower Lip, and The Chin (4395 ft.) . The Chin is Vermont's highest point. Each peak is generally named for the part of a face that Mount Mansfield resembles when viewed sideways. Marking the trails are white and blue blazes. The Long Trail has 2"x6" white blazes. All other trails are marked with blue blazes. In order to reach the Cliff Trail, a DDD, one must ride up the gondola. This is an extremely challenging .7 mile hike to the ridge, along which The Long Trail awaits. To reach the Profanity Trail a long trek up The Long Trail must be done. Finally, the Haselton starts at the base of the gondolas, running to The Toll Road.

References

Johnson, Charles W. (1980) The Nature of Vermont: Introduction and Guide to a New England Environment, The University Press of New England ISBN 0-87451-183-6

External links

*[Maps and aerial photos]
* WikiSatellite view at [WikiMapia]
* Topographic map from [TopoZone]
* Aerial image from [TerraServer-USA]
* Surrounding area map from [Google Maps]
* Location in the United States from the [Census Bureau]
[Mount Washington on Summitpost]

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