Best Loop Hike In VT | Mnt Mansfield | Laura Cowles/Sunset Ridge

I attempted to make a video about the Laura Cowles/Sunset Ridge loop on Mount Mansfield last summer. Unfortunately, I got turned around by a thunderstorm and some heat-related symptoms. On Monday, I returned to Underhill State Park to give it another try. I lucked out with a really enjoyable day. It was in the low 70s with very little humidity, and a gentle breeze kept things comfortable. This is, in my opinion, one of—if not the best—loop hikes in the state. The hike up via the Laura Cowles Trail starts in a gorgeous mixed forest, following a babbling brook that serenades you at every turn. As the trail climbs, it becomes increasingly steep before reaching treeline and the upper junction with the Sunset Ridge Trail at around 4,100 feet. I didn’t see another person my entire time on the Laura Cowles Trail. I followed the Sunset Ridge Trail a short way uphill to its junction with the Long Trail. From there, it’s a 0.2-mile hike to The Chin, Mount Mansfield, and Vermont’s highest summit. I enjoyed some dinner and a little downtime on the summit before returning to the Sunset Ridge Trail to begin my descent. I wasn’t optimistic about catching a good sunset from the ridge. The clouds on the western horizon looked too thick to offer much hope of good light. By the time I reached the last good viewpoint on the ridge, my pessimism began to fade. A break in the cloud cover near the horizon opened up, giving the sun a chance to light up the sky with vibrant color. It was one of those special moments landscape photographers dream about, when all the elements come together to create an unforgettable scene. For more info on this hike visit Trail Finder - https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/t... #vermont #photography #hiking #hikevermont #hikingtrails