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North America, Travel
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July 8, 2020

How We Hiked Mount Mansfield By Accident

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The family and I have been secluded in the Finger Lakes region of upstate NY since the pandemic took over. It’s been paradise. Our little vineyard cottage has been the escape that we have needed and with so much to do around the region, while still being able to social distance, we haven’t been bored. But, after 4 months we felt we needed a different scenery if only for a few days.

So we headed to Vermont, where there are plenty of places to explore nature. We started our first day a bit late, having decided to sleep in and take it slow. We found a trail head that promised to be no more than a 1.5 mile, moderate hike around some wetlands. Our greatest ambition for this trip was taking the Toll Road (by car) up Mount Mansfield, the tallest peak in Vermont, parking as far up as allowed and then hiking the last bit to the top. The cost however, for our group, was an estimated $60 and because it is a popular spot, we worried about the crowds we would encounter. So, we decided this casual, short hike – which we started around 1PM – would suffice while we mulled over the other option.

We checked the map and saw there were options between harder and more moderate trails.

We were dressed for a simple hike; sneakers, some water, a few apples, and our small doggies in tow. Not too long into the hike we realized that our trail was not surrounded by wetlands at all and we wondered if we made a wrong turn. But the trail was wooded and beautiful and though a bit of an incline from the onset, we thought a workout wouldn’t be too bad for all us. We saw a hiker coming down and asked him if there were any interesting view points and he stated that 25 minutes more would lead us to an incredible viewing spot. “We can do anything for 25 minutes,” we said to each other, and kept going. We had been hiking for 30 minutes at that point.

As we continued to walk along, the hike got steeper and we started coming upon rocks, that turned into boulders, that became the trail.

Honestly, we should’ve stopped there…or when we ran out of snacks…or when we ran out of water. But, the few hikers coming down kept telling us it was worth it, and some even said we only had one more mile to go…what they didn’t tell us was that it was all a steep climb over boulders.

Our first big boulder climb. We should’ve stopped here. My youngest was not thrilled.

The Mansfield peak, also known as The Chin, is 4,393 feet in elevation. The next peak before it is Adam’s Apple, 4,060 feet in elevation. The Toll Road’s highest parking point is at 3,850 and from there people can hike to The Chin.

By the time we realized that we were hiking up Mansfield, and making our way to Adam’s Apple, we were 30 mins away. The hike is 5 miles round trip, which doesn’t sound too awful for our family. But, those 5 miles felt like an eternity with all the boulders (and the wrong shoes on). We stopped a few times wondering why we were still going, but also eager to get to the top.

There were so many chances for us to stop and turn back. But our ambition got the best of us.

It took us 3 hours to get to the top. We were all so tired, and so thirsty. Our feet hurt and our puppies were wiped out. But the views made up for it.

As a family we went through all the emotions together: excitement, frustration, exhaustion, fear, anger, and relief.

Our way down was a bit more treacherous. No water meant we dehydrated pretty quickly, which for me, led to my leg muscles weakening fast, making the climb down difficult and dangerous due to my wobbly legs and loss of balance. The forest got dark fast, and we didn’t have head lamps with us, so we relied on our iPhone flashlights to guide the way. After several slips, a fall, and endless tripping over rocks and roots, we made it out of the forest at 10PM – 4 hours after leaving the peak.

I have hiked 13,000 plus feet in Colorado, and even climbed the Sun Gate (8,924 ft) in Peru, and the family and I have hiked Old Rag in Shenandoah (3,268 feet), but this was by far one of the most challenging hikes I have ever done, that my family has ever done together. I am so incredibly proud of all of us – including my boys and the doggies!

We also learned two important lessons: 1) never go by the estimates of other hikers as different skill sets lead to different perspectives of what the experience will be like and, 2) no matter what hike, always, ALWAYS pack extra food, water, and gear because anything can happen on the trail. Always be over prepared.

Would I recommend it? Yes, but if you are a slow hiker, start early and prepare for a challenging climb. The trail we took was called the Long Trail South, off of Highway 108, not too far from Stowe Ski Resort.

We went through all the emotions as a family during this hike; excitement, frustration, sadness, fear, anger, and relief – so, just your typical family outing. But, now we also have this incredible, crazy, unexpected adventure to brag about…and we saved ourselves $60.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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3 Comments
  • myline
    August 28, 2020

    Hi Carol, you have a great family. You are very lucky. I also have a plan to hike mountains with my family, but they always refuse. I’m very jealous right now how I wish I was part of your family lol. Thank you for sharing your journey.

    Reply
  • Linda Valentine
    January 9, 2021

    Awesome story and great advice. I am always starving after hiking. Usually the last part of any hike is about food! Lamps, water, phone…all important. So happy you pushed yourselves to such a great accomplishment as a family!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Linda Valentine
      January 18, 2021

      Thanks! It was worth it for the memories alone!

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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