86 DIVISION X

From the hotel The Long Trail runs northward along the crest of the mountain, mostly over bare rocks, 1 1/4 mi. to the summit of the Chin, the highest point in the State of Vermont, 4393 ft. above sea level. The view from here is one of unsurpassed beauty and variety, - rugged, wooded mountains, fertile valleys, winding rivers, friendly villages and shining lakes. On clear days one can see the steamers on Lake Champlain, nearly 100 miles of whose length is visible, as well as the distant peaks of the White and Adirondack Mts., the whole Green Mt. chain from Killington Peak to Canada and, if one knows where to look, Mt. Royal at Montreal.

Descending the steep and rocky north end of the Chin, with charming views of the little Lake of the Clouds (no high mountain is complete without one), the trail reaches Eagle Pass, between the Chin and the Adams Apple, where it turns sharply to the right and descends to Taft Lodge.

This comfortable log cabin, with bunks for 32, is the largest hikers lodge on the Long Trail, and was built in 1920 with funds provided by the late Elihu B. Taft, a Burlington lawyer who loved the mountains. The Burlington Section of the G. M. C. keeps a caretaker at the lodge during the hiking season, and a charge of 50 cents a night is made; blankets are furnished. The caretaker usually keeps a few simple supplies for sale. A large cook stove, equipped with an oil burner is available for the use of hikers. Meals are not served.

Mt. Mansfield Hotel to Taft Lodge, 2 mi.; time, 1 1/2 hr. (Southbound, the same). Taylor Lodge

87

DIVISION X

to Taft Lodge, 6 1/2 mi.; time, 6 to 7 hr. (Southbound, 6 hr.).

Taft Lodge makes an ideal headquarters for hikers who wish to spend several days on and around Mt. Mansfield, and the mountain has many worthwhile rewards for those who take the time to explore it.

From Taft Lodge the Long Trail descends the east side of the mountain 2 mi. to Barnes Camp, on the State Highway (No. 108) from Stowe to Jeffersonville. Meals and lodging may be obtained here, and cars may be left here by those wishing to climb the mountain from this point.

The Mt. Mansfield Region

The region of which Mt. Mansfield is the central and dominating feature undoubtedly contains more points of interest to the visitor than any other equal area along the Trail. Fortunately this is also one of the most easily reached portions of the Green Mts., for excellent highways approach the foot of the mountain from both east and west, and the Toll Road to the Mt. Mansfield Hotel makes access to the summit possible for those unable, or unwilling, to climb on foot. Hiking up one of the trails, however, is much more satisfying if somewhat less expeditious.

Tourists approaching the mountain from the west would logically come from Burlington, a city of 25,000, with excellent hotels (Vermont, Van-Ness, New Sherwood), beautifully situated on Lake Champlain, to Underhill on Route No. 15. Turning right at Underhill, it is 2 1/2 miles to Underhill Center (18 miles from Burlington), from which the Long Trail may be reached by way of Stevensville or the Halfway House. (See "Side