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No description of this region would be complete without mention of its winter beauty. To climb the mountain and explore its summit in winter is often difficult and sometimes dangerous, but many interesting and delightful excursions are possible for snowshoers and skiers in the lower country around the base. The hotels at Stowe and Jeffersonville, John Shannon's near Underhill Center and Barnes Camp (now open all winter in Smuggler's Notch) are suitable headquarters for winter hikers, and the notches, Smuggler's and Nebraska, make splendid objectives for cold weather outings. The officers of the Burlington Section of The Green Mountain Club are always glad to advise and assist persons planning to visit the Mount Mansfield region, either in winter or summer.

Recently a number of ski trails have been cut on Mount Mansfield by men from a nearby CCC camp. Some of these are shown on the large map in the front of this book. Further information regarding these trails and runs, some of which are among the sportiest in New England, may be had from the Mount Mansfield Ski Club, of Stowe. This club maintains a winter camp, called the Ranch Camp (also shown on large map), which is used by skiing parties almost every week-end during the season.

Approach and Side Trails

For description of this region see page 85. See also the large map in front of Guide Book. Numbers below correspond to those on this map.

All the trails described below are steep, and are marked with blue blazes, unless otherwise noted. Times given are for the uphill direction.

Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 may be reached by car from Burlington or Cambridge to Underhill Center, or by bus from Burlington to Underhill Center (18 miles). Bus now leaves Burlington at 11 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.

1. SUNSET RIDGE TRAIL. Starts from Halfway House, at end of steep motor road from Underhill Center (4 miles). Vermont Forestry Department maintains large open-front shelter on road 1/2 mile below Halfway House. Trail ascends

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over high bare ridge with fine views, turns right at fork near top and joins Long Trail a short distance south of the summit of the Chin. Best route to Summit and Taft Lodge from west side of mountain. Halfway House to Summit, 2 miles; time, 2 1/2 hours; to Taft Lodge, 2 1/2 miles; time, 3 hours.

2. COWLES CUT-OFF. (Built and maintained by Judge C. P. Cowles, of Burlington.) Leaves No. 1, about 1/4 mile above Halfway House, follows a brook at first, and climbs up the hollow south of Sunset Ridge, joining No. 1 again just below junction with Long Trail. More sheltered but less slightly than No. 1, and a better winter trail. Distance and time, about the same as No. 1. Orange blazes. 3. HALFWAY HOUSE TRAIL. Starts from the Halfway House, bearing more to the south than No. 1 or No. 2, and meets Long Trail 1/4 mile north of Mount Mansfield Hotel. Shortest route from Halfway House to Long Trail and Hotel. Built more than 75 years ago and once used as horseback trail. To Hotel, 1 3/4 miles; time, 2 1/4 hours. 4. BUTLER LODGE TRAIL. Originally built by State Forestry Department. Leaves Stevensville Road on right, just before the road crosses Stevensville Brook (road ends near here, 3 miles from Underhill Center) and leads direct to Mabel Taylor Butler Lodge, 1 3/4 miles; time, 2 hours. Joins Long Trail near Needle's Eye, 10 minutes beyond the Lodge and 1 1/2 miles south of Mount Mansfield Hotel. Excellent meals and rooms can be had at J. B. Shannon's, 2 miles from Underhill Center (postoffice and telephone, Underhill Center) on Stevensville Road. 5. NEBRASKA NOTCH TRAIL. Leaves Stevensville Road at blue sign on right (south), about 3/4 mile above Shannon's (see No. 4); follows stone wall up through old pasture, bears left into woods and joins Long Trail at west end of Nebraska Notch, 1/2 mile west of Taylor Lodge. Nowhere steep or difficult. Road to Long Trail junction, 1 3/4 miles; time, 1 1/4 hours; to Taylor Lodge, 2 1/4 miles; time, 1 1/2 hours. 6. HELL BROOK TRAIL. Leaves State Highway No. 108 opposite Big Spring in Smuggler's Notch, climbs very steeply to top of ridge just south of the Lake of the Clouds, then bears south and joins Long Trail in Eagle Pass, between the Chin and Adam's Apple. 1 1/2 miles; time, 2 hours. With No. 14, this forms shortest approach to Taft Lodge from State Road. 7. TAFT LODGE TRAIL. (Part of The Long Trail, white blazes.) Direct route from State Highway No. 108 at Barnes Camp to Taft Lodge. 2 miles; time, 2 1/2 hours; and Summit, 2 3/4 miles; time, 3 1/4 hours. 8. HASELTON TRAIL. Named for the late Judge Seneca Haselton of Burlington, a great lover of Mount Mansfield. From State Highway No. 108 at Barnes Camp to Toll Road, about 1/2 mile below Mount Mansfield Hotel. 2 miles; time, 2 1/2 hours. 9. KINGSFORD TRAIL. (Not maintained by Green Mountain Club.) Built by Doctor Kingsford of the Mansfield Trout Club. From Mansfield Trout Club at Lake Mansfield over Mount Dewey to Long Trail, 3/4 mile south of Needle's