MT MANSFIELD SUMMIT ( 4,293')- National Trails Day Hike,
Saturday June 6, 2015.
8:30 am 12:45 pm Overcast and eventual clearing.
Underhill State Park, Sunset Ridge Trail to Long Trail to the Chin. Descent down Long Trail to Laura Cowles trail and back to Underhill State Park.
Mobb's Farm -46 degrees with sun and clouds and slight breeze. Jericho, Vermont
9-10:15 am. A short planned weekend hike to new area I recently discovered.
I climbed up through boulder strewn ridge on unmarked trail from Fitzsimmons Road. There was some mud and a few spring freshets and vernal pools on the many unmarked trails that intertwine and go off in all directions. I looked at a map early on and head downhill towards the east with no problems. A wide cart track winds its way through a 50's car graveyard with several rusted hulks including a mercury with huge chrome front end and several oil pails litter the ground shot through with bullet holes.
I observed a red squirrel, hairy woodpecker knocking into a tree and a grey squirrel as well as other common birds. Atop the hill and looking west are views towards the lake seen through the trees. I follow the arrow markings in red down a gulch and past a group of hemlocks clinging to the edge of the ridge with obstructed views looking west. After a brief descent I come out of the woods onto the capped town landfill covered in brown grasses and soggy from the thaw and spring rains. I walked along the perimeter bordered by stunted pine shrubs and paper birch.
I noticed an adjacent farm meadow and decided to climb up the property. I followed a stone wall to the top where several brush piles have been carefully erected for a future controlled burn. The open space allowed for a fantastic view of the distant pine and leafless tree covered hills. A grey and green tapestry that would make for a fine translation into paints and colored pencil. A great spot to return with my art supplies. I scribbled into my green pocket notebook and sat for a moment to enjoy the sun on my face.
There is a trail on the other side of the stone wall and I was able to follow the trail back to the parking lot. I passed a family with two kids and their two dogs who were exploring the car graveyard before I reached the road.
