This loop has a lot of bare rock climbing and descending. Nothing particularly technical but I would not do it on a day where it’s wet or icy. In dry conditions it’s a spectacular loop.
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The loop has some CCC roads, but Maple Ridge has some serous bouldering - at time you wish you were on belay - there is a jump of 4’ plus over a deep crack which could be a problem for some and a cliff of 30’ feet or so with a crack running much of the way up to a short ledge which requires some agility (and no fear of heights) - there is a walk around to the left side. Long trail across the crest towards Mt Mansfield is easy. The return down Sunset Ridge is rocky and steep in places - but plenty of views. It rained a day earlier so many rocks were slick. Great hike.
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Nice hike even if downpour meant wading through a mountain stream rushing downhill over the rocky ground. From hut to summit had some challenging sections but nothing scary. July 2021.
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This is a really nice area located within Little Rivers. The camping is great, the facilities and park are so clean it is really a great spot. I highly recommend this area.
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Excellent views, tough wind but a really great snowshoeing experience. Quite a workout.
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This was a fantastic hike but in winter should not be attempted without snow shoes and trekking poles. The Halfway House Trail ascent is no joke and there was easily 3 ft of snow on the ground. Though just under a mile, it took a solid two hours. Once above the tree line, the views are spectacular in all directions. This route follows the Long Trail along the ridge line of the Mt. Mansfield massif gradually gaining elevation. The snow was wind blown and crusted but still drifted in many places making snowshoes favorable to avoid post holing. Returning via the Sunset Ridge Trail was much more enjoyable and I wished I had chosen this trail for my ascent. The views continue to be impressive in all directions and the tree line seems to be a bit lower. The grade is less steep, utilizing switchbacks, and the trail is more scenic below the tree line with stream crossings. Snowshoes still a must for the trip down. Highly recommend this hike!
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Incredible upper glades with great coverage! Even some fresh powder in spots!
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First off.. the trail maintenance here is awesome.. hoping that’s the same throughout the state. I was really impressed since I have the perspective of other trails and how they are maintained throughout the country.. they go the extra miles and elevation to save the plant species above alpine level and subvert water drainage so trails don’t become cow paths! Kudos to you #vermont! Today was awesome on sunrise.. closer to the top plenty of slow slow going and careful foot placement for ice.. also some class 2 scrambles here and there. Otherwise an awesome top of this awesome state 😉👏🏻🏔#highpointingtheusa #highpointhenry
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Always a treat to cross over from Underhill to Stowe. Enjoy viewing Devls Dishpan. Trail is quite muddy in certain sections. Fresh snow as elevation increased. Spring greens popping thru the snow.
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I started at 6am. It was quiet and I was alone watching inches of snow on the trees. My hands were too cold to take photos. After jumping on rocks to cross a stream, I struggled the entire hike to follow trailblazes. It was so snowy , blazes we’re either covered or the path snow covered and I kept on getting off track. Finally near the peak of Spruce, I came close to the resort and found my first skier. He was doing a glade in the backcountry when he saw me skinning up. He was all confused and asked if I lost anything. When I replied no and explained my skinning he responded, oh welll I just ate a bag of mushrooms and he.turned down the tight glade.
At that point I was lost again but struggled to back track/. It was then 11am, I was behind schedule and
More and more skiers were barreling down the trees as I was struggling to find the hiking. Trail. So I called it and snuck over to Spruce and Down to the lodge.
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Great day on the teardrop. 6 inches new snow (about). Light snow on the way up and fun descent.
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Beautiful AT trail best done in powdery, bluebird conditions. Narrow with lots of rolling ups and downs, so keep skins on most of the way. Possible to do an out and back. Glades on Bolton side looked sweet and worth exploring more!
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Great hike. Manageable. Bruce trail is a bush whack nearly all the way up.
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This is a very beautiful hike in Underhill VT, about 40 minutes outside Burlington. Don’t underestimate the difficulty of this hike. There are some technical sections requiring bouldering skills and crawling on hands and knees through a small stone arch way. It requires about 4.5-5 hours to reach the summit.
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