Trail: Mt. Mansfield via Hell Brook, Long, Subway, South Link, and Haselton

Date Hiked: 16JUN07

Conditions: Conditions overall where surprisingly dry considering the large snowpack and the recent rains, almost no mud and stream crossings where no problem. Lots of bugs, mosquitoes, black flies, houseflies etc... A combination of Deet, Picaradin, and a slight breeze kept them away. Lots of loud people against which the bug juice was ineffective.

Special Required Equipment: Water. The visitor center was closed so either bring what you drink or filter it along the way.

Comments: Made a nice loop by going up Hell Brook to the Long Trail South. Then the Forehead Bypass to the South Link and down via the Hazelton Trail. With a short, and recomended, detour down the Subway and up through Canyon Pass. Hell Brook trail is aptly named, steep with lots of rocks and roots. The rest were all little used narrow trails but no major blowdowns and fairly well blazed. Hazelton and Hell Brook trail heads are only about a 20 min road walk apart. Park at the Spruce Peak Resort to leave your car close to the Hazelton trailhead. 54/67

Spied along Route 89 enroute to Mt. Mansfield.

North on Rt. 108 approaching Hell Brook Trail.

Hell Brook Trail trailhead.

Wooly Blue Violet Viola sororia

Red-stemmed Violet Viola blanda

Summit benchmark.

View of Lake Champlian and the Adirondacks. You don't get views like this in the Whites.

Despite popular misconception gliders do make a lot of noise when flying overhead.

Great view of the communications towers.

Dramatic view from the subway trail. Much more dramtic in person.

Canyon trail between Subway and Long Trail.

Looking back down the Canyon Trail.

Summit station was closed in mid-June. Plan accordingly.

Alpine Bluet Houstonia caerulea

Looking back at the summit from the Octogon ski lodge.

Looking off the balcony of the Octogon ski lodge.

Blue Bead Lilly Clintonia borealis

Mt. Mansfield from near the Haselton Trail trailhead.