Heading off from Burlington, VT, on the Tuesday morning we headed east towards the village of Stowe. North west of Stowe, about 15 km, stands the highest mountain in Vermont at 4393' (1339 m) - Mount Mansfield.
A toll road from the valley takes you to a parking area within a couple of hours walk to the summit - so that was our mission for the day. As we paid our toll (about $43 for a 3 km journey!) the woman at the gate advised that it was not recommended to walk to the summit today due to the weather forecast being thunderstorms and rain, all predicted to hit within the hour. But, as we are very brave souls, we tossed caution to the wind and headed up.
Ascending the mountain we passed many ski slopes and chair lifts but, of course, being summer they were all grassy slopes with no snow in sight. Craig said it was marvellous skiing here in winter and they have been down here a couple of times to do just that.
After parking the car we headed off along the rocky track to the summit. The weather was overcast and the summit appeared to be shrouded in mist - but no hint of a thunderstorm. What a wonderful walk - windy but not cold and marvellous views down to the valleys on each side of the mountain.
We walked to within about 500 metres of the peak (about 100 metre below the summit) when the weather deteriorated but still no thunderstorm. However, we decided not to risk it and we didn't warm to the idea of making back to the car soaking wet.
Our little adventure culminated with a scrumptious lunch of jarlsberg and gorgonzola cheeses with salami on fresh crunchy baguettes washed down with Australian wine in a lovely leafy park on the edge of Stowe. Mmmmmmm . . . . . yummy!
View to the summit from the car park
View to the valley below
On the track - the summit shrouded in cloud
Time to turn back
Mmmmm . . . lunchtime!
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