Month #5 - The September EPIC Hike

I had the pleasure of hiking on September 1, 2017 with one of my favorite people to hike with - Michele Asch! Michele is always up for an adventure, lots of hiking experience, great problem solver, awesome conversationalist and the much needed ability to laugh at herself!

We are super good at taking selfies! This is called an EPIC hike because it was 8.5 miles and included a traverse of the entire profile of the face of Mount Mansfield. It was so EPIC that my watch battery died at 7.5 miles and so cold that my phone was at 1% battery at the end. Our round trip from Underhill State Park was about 5.5 hours, which included a leisurely lunch out of the howling wind at the Toll Road Welcome Center and a stop for tea on a rock with a view on Sunset Ridge.

Our route was up Maple Ridge (less traveled and more challenging), across the face (fast and fun and crazy windy/cold), and down Sunset Ridge (beautiful, open views and crowded). Here is a map of most of the route:


There is too much to recount each harrowing or challenging or joyful moment. Instead, I have included a few pictures.

Trail signs, always comforting to know where you are!
Scary rock face we had to scale on Maple Ridge
Michele on the scary rock photo from the top



The Forehead of Mount Mansfield!
My chai on Sunset Ridge...yummy!
































Overall an amazing day. Another Mansfield adventure. I can't wait to see what next month brings...

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