Sep. 21, 2003: I tried to get up Mt. Mansfield (Vermont's highest point at 4393'), a few years ago. As I did then, I took the gondola up. There were no carnie-related issues as there were last time, in fact, they were quite helpful. I hereby withdraw my earlier characterization. Even Stowe shall escape my poison keyboard; I didn't find it quite as odious as last time.

In the parking lot at the gondola, I saw an attractive, 30-quelquechose Canadienne who unfortunately made it up top while I was still packing. I also saw a lady possessing one of the most incredible tuchises ever. It was like a ziggurat mounted on her backside. I just stared and stared. She was with her bike and with an older couple I took to be her parents, although I think it was bicycling that did it because her mom's hindquarters weren't like hers that much.

Anyhoo, back to the hiking. Unlike the last time, the Cliff Trail was clear of ice and snow. It's a short but steep 2nd or 3rd class scramble up to the Long Trail, which then goes to the summit. It involves stepping over a few 10' or so deep gaps that it wouldn't be good to fall into, as well as crawling through a couple gaps in the rock. However, it was fairly short and easy and I was able to return on it mostly hands-free by taking it slowly. Supposedly, there's a longer version of the Cliff Trail which doesn't go directly to the Long Trail below the summit. That longer version branches off above the gondola, and goes south to join the trail from the top of the Auto Road. That version involves some ladders, and it's probably similar to Arcadia's Precipice Trail which will be covered in a future post. I didn't take it because I didn't have much information on it, I was alone, and it was a bit late in the day.

As on Mt. Marcy, there were several Canadians besieging the peak. No sing-a-longs, but lots of loud talking. And, tons of normal Americans who had taken the Auto Road to almost the top and then hiked the rest of the way.

I enjoyed the view a bit, and left for New Hampshire.