Division X

BOLTON LODGE TO FRENCH CAMP

From Bolton Lodge the Trail continues northward up the valley, ascending at first gradually and then more steeply. 2 1/2 mi. north of the Lodge the Trail passes the old Dunsmoor Lodge, now abandoned, from which there is a wonderful view to the south. After 1 1/4 miles more climbing, mostly thru spruces, the summit of Bolton Mt. (3725 ft.) is reached. Here an observation tower affords a magnificent view in all directions. The most striking features are Camel's Hump and the Lincoln Range to the south; Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks to the southwest and west; Mt. Mansfield to the north and the Worcester Range to the northeast and east. Bolton Lodge to summit Bolton Mt., 3 3/4 mi.; time, 3 1/2 to 4 hr. (Southbound, about 2 1/2 hr.).

From the top of Bolton Mt. the Trail drops rapidly to the saddle between the summit of Bolton Mt. and Mt. Admiral Mayo, and continues down along the east slopes of Mayo and Admiral Clarke to the head of Lake Mansfield, 3 mi. from Bolton Mt. and almost half a mile below it in elevation. This pretty little lake is on the private preserve of the Mt. Mansfield Trout Club, and fishing is forbidden except to members. A half mile approach trail to the right leads to the Club House near the outlet of the lake, a commodious and well appointed structure where hikers are hospitably received and can sometimes secure accommodations if the house is not filled by members of the club. The Club House is also the southern end of the Kingsford Trail, a difficult

83

DIVISION X

but exceedingly sightly trail about 4 miles long, joining The Long Trail south of Mt. Mansfield. At the head (west end) of the lake The Long Trail turns west and climbs sharply 1 1/4 miles to Taylor Lodge, a very comfortable closed lodge built of peeled logs by the Burlington Section in 1926 and named for James P. Taylor, founder of the Green Mountain Club.

Bolton Lodge to Taft Lodge, 8 mi.; time, 7 hr. (Southbound, the same).

Bunks for 14 to 16 are provided and there is a good stove, but it is necessary to go several hundred feet down the trail, turning off to a small brook at a sign, to get water. From an outlook back of the lodge one looks down on Lake Mansfield, surrounded by wooded hills and mountains, while across the valley to the north from the lodge rugged cliffs and ledges tower into the sky.

Leaving Taylor Lodge, two routes are available. One continues westerly thru the bottom of Nebraska Notch, an extremely rugged and picturesque cleft in the mountains, partly filled with immense boulders. There is little climbing as the summit of the notch is at about the same elevation as the lodge, but the trail is rough and should be traveled with care by hikers burdened with packs. In one place the trail passes under a great rock, negotiating a vertical drop by a ten foot ladder. The alternative route avoids the rough going in the bottom of the notch by climbing up over the shoulder of a hill called the Sugar Loaf and rejoins the first Trail just beyond the notch. This trail is likely to be safer in winter but is not advised in summer because it misses so much interesting scenery.