The Best Kept Secret on Mount Mansfield

I'm guessing there were as many people on Mount Mansfield Sunday as there were on Church Street in Burlington.

OK, so maybe not Church Street, but surely Bank Street.

The Hikeu Adventure Guides have been considering adoption of the Hell Brook trail on Mount Mansfield. This adoption program is run by the Green Mountain Club and is a very important part of their mission to "protect and maintain the Long Trail system". What does it mean to adopt a trail? Well, we will be responsible for maintaining and improving that particular trail.

We had never actually hiked the entire Hell Brook trail before. There was that failed attempt in 2003, but we turned back when a friend of ours had had enough of Hell Brook! So before committing to something as important as adoption, we decided to take a stroll up Mansfield on the only ascent trail rated as "extremely difficult" by the GMC.
The hike up Hell Brook was indeed extremely difficult and not to be taken lightly. Pretty much straight up most of the way, with lots of lose rocks, exposed roots, water running down the trail...but absolutely beautiful. Now your probably thinking how on earth could this trail be the best kept secret on Mount Mansfield? Well it's not. The secret on Mount Mansfield is the Adam's Apple, which is just a short 0.1 mile jog off the Hell Brook trail.

As you can see, this mini-summit is exposed and offers spectacular 270 degree views. What happens in the other 90 degrees? Well, that is where we could see the steady line of people either climbing up to the summit of Mansfield on the Long Trail, climbing down off the summit or milling about the summit.
We sat on our own private summit, ate lunch, watched 3 hawks spiral high on the thermals and dive back down, took a nice long siesta and marveled at all the people "over there". Sure, a few people passed by as we enjoyed our rock, but the contrast between the peace and serenity of the Adam's Apple and the fair-like atmosphere on the Mansfield summit was amazing; no one calling out on their cell phone to report their amazing where abouts, no dogs on the loose trampling the fragile alpine vegetation.

After such a wonderful experience, we decided to go ahead and adopt Hell Brook. Hopefully someone hasn't already grabbed it!

By the way, if your looking for more Vermont Long Trail secrets to enhance your hiking and backpacking experience be sure to contact Hikeu. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect itinerary and trip for your perfect Vermont outing.
Fall is the perfect time to get out and hike in the Green Mountains. Cool air, warm sunshine and NO Bugs! If your looking for the perfect day away from the office, consider a "team-building" hike with Hikeu. Just like playing hooky, but you return to the office the next day ready to tackle that project head-on!

Hikeu Guides Healthy Lifestyles "Move it & Lose it" Club on The Long Trail

Ahhh...yet another glorious day spent on the Long Trail!
Hikeu Adventure Guides spent Sunday afternoon with a group from Healthy Lifestyles. HL is a weight-management counseling practice based in South Burlington. Their "Move it & Lose it" club is just one of the many offerings available at HL in support of making positive, healthy lifestyle changes.
The Hikeu goal was to find a section of the LT that was accessible, less than 3 miles long, moderate in difficulty and had great views. Mission accomplished!
We took the Healthy Lifestyles gang up near Johnson. We hiked up to the Round Top shelter and enjoyed great pastoral views to the east. We then proceeded on to Prospect Rock where we overlooked the Lamoille River and the northern foothills of Mount Mansfield.

Feeling like your ready to make a those life changes in support of feeling better but just don't know where to begin? Call Kathryn at Healthy Lifestyles and let her be your guide. (802) 658-6597

Feeling like getting out on the Long Trail this summer or fall and just don't know where to begin? Call Happy at Hikeu Adventure Guides and let her be your guide. (802) 310-4427

Hiking Jay Peak with Doe Camp

Hikeu Adventure Guides was very fortunate last weekend to be involved in the Vemont Outdoor Guides Association & Vermont Outdoors Woman Doe Camp which was held at Jay Peak Resort last weekend. Happy led the way and Reid brought up the rear as we guided an enthusiastic group of women to the top of Jay Peak on the Long Trail. The morning was chilly and the summit was shrouded in clouds, but the weather didn't seem to dampen the spirit of the hike.

We did manage to get some views into the surrounding valleys and adjacent mountains as the clouds sped by on the summit. After a great picnic lunch and hot chocolate (yup, Happy and Reid thought of everything and even brought a backpacking stove, extra water, hot chocolate and mugs!) we returned to the Hikeu-mobile and got the group back to the resort in plenty of time for them to prepare for their afternoon activities.

We are really looking forward to Doe Camp Abnaki which will be held September 14-16!