94 DIVISION X

Peak of the Sterling Range, 1 mile from and 600 feet above Sterling Pond. Madonna has several lookouts, the best one being toward Mount Mansfield. Then the Trail drops 700 feet in 3/4 mile to Chilcoot Pass. From here an approach trail (blue blazes) turns right and descends 750 feet in 3/4 mile to Shattuck Lodge (Mould's Shelter) (closed lodge, box stove, outdoor fireplace, good water, cooking utensils, bunks for 20).

The Long Trail climbs northward out of Chilcoot Pass, along the side of Morse Mountain, and then swings around to Whiteface Shelter (3,020 feet) on the south slope of Whiteface Mountain. (Open log camp, metal roof, small stove, bunks for 8, with shelter for more.) Permanent water flows across the Trail just to the west. From the lodge, Madonna's steep cone is directly above and behind Beaver Meadow, while Mansfield's Nose is to the right of Madonna, then a shoulder of Morse Mountain and Mansfield's Chin farther to the right. Both peaks of Mansfield are perfectly placed in depressions in the nearer range. Shattuck Lodge is 1 1/4 miles, 800 feet down, on a blue painted approach trail which starts just west of the lodge. Sterling Pond Camp to Whiteface Shelter, 3 1/3 miles; time, either way, 3 hours.

The Long Trail leaves Whiteface Shelter, toward the northwest and circling the mountain rises to the summit of Whiteface Mountain (3,715 feet) in half a mile. Here there are bare rock lookouts with especially good views of Mount Mansfield, the Lamoille Valley, and the Worcester Range.

The Trail down the mountain is over Whiteface's north shoulder. Two miles from the summit are the ruins of Gates Camp (abandoned 1931), where the Trail forks. The right branch, painted blue, leads out to Johnson by the old Builly Farm Trail. Distance from this junction to Johnson, 4 miles; time, 3 hours (southbound, 3 1/2 hours).

DIVISION X 95

The left branch, at Gates Camp ruins, painted white, is The Long Trail. It proceeds northward, descends through Bear Hollow, and leaves the woods at West Settlement, where French Camp was built in 1931 by The Long Trail Patrol on land contributed by Mr. French of Johnson. (Closed frame lodge, cook stove, spring water, and bunks for 20.) There are fine views of Whiteface to the south and of Butternut and Laraway Mountains to the north. Whiteface Shelter to French Camp, 5 miles; time, 4 hours (southbound, 5 hours).

CARE IN THE OPEN PLACES

When coming out of the woods into the open, before proceeding, take due care of the direction of the trail and where it enters the woods beyond, and as well the point where it came out. This may prevent a great deal of confusion and delay and uncertainty.