Author: Bill

The Green Mountains wear many crowns, but none shine brighter than Mount Mansfield. At 4,393 feet, it’s Vermont’s Everest, a formidable titan gazing down at a tapestry of emerald valleys and shimmering lakes. This 9-mile loop, a symphony of steep climbs, breathtaking vistas, and alpine adventures, lets you claim your own piece of this majestic peak.

Our journey begins at Underhill State Park, where the Halfway House Trail winds its way through verdant woods, its switchbacks whispering secrets of past ascents. Soon, the trees thin, revealing glimpses of the summit ridge, a rocky spine clawing at the sky. The air sharpens, carrying the tang of pine and the thrill of anticipation.

As we reach the Long Trail, the mountain unveils its true face. Frenchmen’s Pile, a cairn memorializing a lost soul, stands sentinel, a reminder of nature’s power and our reverence for it. Then, the ridge unfurls, a catwalk between heaven and earth. Below, meadows unfurl like emerald carpets, stitched with the delicate threads of alpine flora. Above, the sky stretches in an endless turquoise expanse, dotted with cotton-candy clouds.

This traverse is a balancing act. We tread lightly on weather-beaten rock, respecting the fragile tundra clinging to life. Each step is a promise to preserve this alpine sanctuary. But the panorama that unfolds with each stride is a reward beyond measure. Belvidere Mountain winks across the border, White Mountain giants rise in the east, and Lake Champlain glints like a sapphire necklace around the Adirondacks’ emerald throat.

Reaching “The Chin,” the official summit, feels like crowning ourselves kings and queens of this verdant kingdom. The world stretches out in all directions, a humbling testament to the planet’s grandeur. But the descent beckons, promising a different kind of thrill.

Sunset Ridge, aptly named, paints the landscape in fiery hues as we make our way down. Exposed, wind-whipped, it demands respect but offers breathtaking rewards. Every turn throws open a new vista, a fresh brushstroke in nature’s masterpiece. Finally, the woods embrace us, their cool shadows a welcome relief.

And then, Cantilever Rock, a monolith that defies gravity, a geological marvel frozen in time. It’s a final hurrah before we emerge from the trail, legs tired, hearts full, souls a little wilder.

This 9-mile loop is more than just a hike; it’s a pilgrimage to the heart of the Green Mountains. It’s a test of our legs, a feast for our senses, and a reminder of our place in this grand tapestry of nature. So, lace up your boots, pack your wonder, and get ready to claim your own piece of Mount Mansfield’s crown.

Your journey through the Green Mountains and up Mount Mansfield sounds like an incredible adventure! Here’s some additional information about the places you mentioned:

• Mount Mansfield: This is indeed the highest mountain in Vermont, standing at 4,393 feet¹². The mountain is located in Chittenden County within the Green Mountains¹. The Mount Mansfield Loop Trail takes you above the tree line¹. The hike begins at Underhill State Park off of Mountain Road¹.
• Underhill State Park: This park is situated on the west slope of Mount Mansfield, in the 39,837-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest³. The park is probably best known for its hiking³. There are four trails to the summit ridge of Mt. Mansfield from Underhill State Park³.
• Long Trail: This trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border⁴. The Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail share 100 miles of trail in the southern part of the state⁴.
• Frenchmen’s Pile: I couldn’t find specific information about a “Frenchmen’s Pile” on Mount Mansfield. It could be a local name for a particular cairn or landmark.
• Belvidere Mountain: While I couldn’t find specific information about a “Belvidere Mountain” in Vermont, there are several hiking trails in the area around Belvedere⁵⁶.
• White Mountains: These mountains are located in New Hampshire and are known for their hiking trails^7891011.
• Lake Champlain: This is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the Canada–U.S. border in the Canadian province of Quebec^12131415.
• Sunset Ridge: This is a popular trail on Mount Mansfield that offers stunning views¹⁶¹⁷.
• Cantilever Rock: This is a point of interest along a trail in Underhill State Park¹⁸¹⁹. It’s a large rock that seems to defy gravity²⁰²¹²².

Time: 7:00
Date: Friday, 9/12/03
Place: [text hidden] Naugatuck
RSVP: 9/2/03 (via email to Sean) Guests must come with some tacky sci-fi alien-like accessory or apparel Food and apps will be provided Cost: $5 If you want to bring a gift Perry is into anything golf or sci-fi but you don’t have to because the money will be put toward all of his fav beers

Directions: (call Julie or perry at [text hidden] if any problems) Route 8 N, take exit 25, Right off the ramp At the stop sign take the left fork At first traffic light go right (new haven road- Route 63) Go straight about 4 lights (LANDMARKS-almond joy factory, walmart, BPgas station) Go left at candee (light just after BP gas station) Go straight up hill for a while When you get to the end you have to go left or right, go LEft Go straight and at second stop sign take left on to Mulberry At bottom of hill Go right on to Simsbury Windsor is the first right & [text hidden]

Very nice day with no humidity. On the mountains it was extreemly windy and somewhat frigid. Monica and I Hiked up Flume and then traversed over to Liberty. Both Mountains over 4000 feet. Total loop was approx 9.5 miles and we did it in somewhere around 6 hours. Check out the PICS !

I also just received a link to one of my friends picture site. There are loads of pictures from the Adirondacks. I have added the link to my Digital Photography link in the Main Menu. Go HERE to view Keith”s pictures.

Looks like little Emerson is working his way through his second week here on planet Earth. I just got word from Julie and the adjustment period is going well. How to manage time? Yep, parents! I wish them good luck and I understand if I dont here from them as much as I used to. I have a good experience on being friends with a new parents situation from friends Paul and Lucy. Click on the pic to see little emerson at 9 days. Goouche gouche goooooo!

Today I feel stronger than ever. I did the backside loop of West Rock. The loop starts in reverse to the one I did yesterday… It begins in Westville and continues around west Rock on the east side. It mostly side hill single track with some short steep climbs. Just enough to expand the lungs like a vacuum cleaner bag. Leaving the lake on the north side a short loop takes you at first on some flat and back on some rock pathways. This stretch is extremely fast and has flat sections. Once back towards the lake the trail swings uphill and the hill climb starts on the water tower access road. Around the water tank and the first run up occurs. This hike a bike section is about 50 yards of heart pounding and slippery climbing. On top you mount the bike for a quick road accent to the highest point of the loop. Heading East on the road takes you to a gravel road that ends as soon as it begins and from there on out it is tremendously technical. At first there are the rock gardens then there is the valley which has to be run down and up because of the steepness of the terrain. This is the last of the three dismounts. Once on top of the second ridge there are views of route 15 and all of Westville. Also one can catch the sunset over the valley. Back on a twist tour de France road section takes you to the top of West Rock itself before plummeting to the valley below on one of the scariest downhills around. From top to bottom is a quick 3 minutes and then it is back home for a recovery smoothie.

Friend Luli is finally on vacation (Sikorsky finally let him). He writes

Hello from Prespa, what”s up gangs? Hope you are doing well, I myself am having a wonderful time here. It”s too hot though. 90s 100s. I”m going for a couple of days to the beautiful coast of Albania. Bill tell guys at work i said Hello. Peace!

Everyone here says hi and cant wait till the goulash party when he returns. 🙂

Today I feel a bit grouchy but I cant complain. Yesterday began the same way but ended up pretty well.

After work I headed out to the West Rock loop. The loop starts out with a gut wrenching climb up the ridge before crossing over the west rock tunnel. The ridge road is three miles in length and the last smooth rolling section of the entire loop.

The decent off the ridge is one of the finest side hill single tracks in CT.

Then comes the twisted woods single track.

After that a 1 mile long flat trail give you top speed of around 20 mph in anaerobic mode if one wants to go hard.

The rest of the loop includes some ups and side hill before coming out in Westville.

A good ride that usually takes around two hours and leaves the rider totally exhausted. Just what I needed.

After my ride I went to the movies with my friend Lisa. We got their early so we had time to catch up on what each of us has been up to. It seems that she is doing well and I am happy after the way Sikorsky treated her.

The movie itself was mildly entertaining (probably due to my mind being somewhere else) but you cannot fault the Laura Croft character. I really like her strength and athleticism and her attitude. Way better than James Bond.

The day ended well after starting off slow. I hope today will be the same and I can get caught up after that nice weekend I had. Maybe a little 3 Doors Down will help, I heard them on the radio last night and now I have a CD I have used for motivation so far today. Has anyone heard of them?

I am now packing for my weekend getaway. The humidity is lower and it seems real nice outside. I just received this email below and I was wondering if any of you think it is legit. Should I email him back? Anyway see you all when I get back. Please make comments on the link at the bottom of this story window.

I never know how I locate individuals, but you were found on page 2 of searching racing with another word. I am writing from the center of north America here in WInnipeg, Manitoba Canada. My firm is working with a group which has just released the worlds first water based replacement for oil as a chain lubricant and may eliminate grease from bearings in bicycle, skateboards and inline roller blade wheels.

I say this as only my bicycle is without grease, actually it also replaces power steering fluid, transaxle differential and possibly transmission fluid in virtually any vehicle.

My own vehicle is the test vehicle, a 1980 Olds, the only one bold enough to try, 65 miles per hour on highways for the past 30 days in the differential and the transmission next.

Seems far fetched but it is real, by taking a molecule with lubriction properties in oil of over 300,000 psi, it has now been blended with water. It also can be mixed with propylene glycol and works at -45 F.

So the question is do you want to be the only individual in the state of New York to know about this and test without telling anyone, then when we are ready to release to the media from locations around the world you will be our local individual? From your resume and website, past experience I think you have the connections to get it going after that.

As of today the liquid was shipped to the west coast to one of the USA”s premier and radical mountain bike inventors for testing. I would like to know once he begins tests will you be interested?

Liquid will sell for less tahn $8.00 US and will also lubricate door hinges, garage rollers, seized locks to name a few applications. Who knows for all we know Lance A. could also be testing within the next 2 weeks once this other individual receives product through customs.

Regards Jerry Kondi,
Sales & Marketing
Phone [protected]
Kindo Canada Inc.
[address protected],
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R3T 2H5 email : [protected]

Planning a weekend getaway with my friend Monica and my dog Marcy. The area will be somewhere in the vicinity of Lincoln New Hampshire.

Hikes in the Lincoln Area

• The Scaur
• Indian Head Trail
• Mt. Pemigewassett
• Hi-Cannon Trail
• Cannon Mt
• Mt. Potash Trail
• The Welch-Dickey Loop
• Mount Tecumseh
• Off site link to NH 4000 footers
• Off site link to topo of the Presadential Range

Camping in the Lincoln Area

White Lake State Park has 210 campsites with showers, including 13 right on the water (sites, $14-$20). For campsite reservations, call 603-271-3628.

White Mountain National Forest Campgrounds

Food I am bringing (bought so far)

• Buffalo Burgers with Whole Wheat Bunz
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Mushroom Risotto
• Pistachios

Weather Forecast

	Thursday Night Mostly clear. Lows 55 to 60.
	Friday Partly sunny. A chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs 80 to 85. Chance of rain 30 percent.
	Friday Night Partly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows 55 to 60. Chance of rain 40 percent.
	Saturday A chance of showers in the morning…otherwise partly cloudy. Highs 75 to 80.
	Sunday and Monday Partly cloudy. Lows 55 to 60 and highs 75 to 80.

Julie and Ben finally welcomed into the world a baby boy. Emerson James Seifert was born in Valdez Alaska on August 8, 2003 at 1:37 and he weighed in at 6 lbs 11 oz. Julie sent me some pictures and they all look so happy. I am so glad for them, they are such great people and friends. I cant wait to visit Alaska once again to see the new prince of Alaska.

Time: 10:00am Location: Niantic, CT Link to Directions Club notes: [blockquote]Begins promptly at start time. 53 miles, hilly. This challenging half-century ride has numerous hilly sections. Participants will be rewarded with some great back roads riding in areas not often ridden by the sponsoring bike clubs. Points of interest are Pattaganset Lake, Rogers Lake (lunch stop), Old Lyme Village and the Old Lyme Country Club amongst others. This is a joint AMC/SCCC/YP ride. [/blockquote] At the start it down poured rain. Everybody quit the ride except for 4 of us. As the day progressed the sun came out and it turned out to be a fabulous ride. We ate dinner in a cematary which was real diffrent. We almost hit one big gigantic snake and two turtles. All three were not hurt. Two big brances attempted to fall on us but missed. This ride was nice with nice people. [blockquote]Directions: I-95 Exit 72 (access road to Rocky Neck State Park) to light at Rt 156; Left onto Rt. 156 and follow all the way into Niantic Village (about 4 miles); turn left at light onto Pennsylvania Av, Rt 161, and go one block; turn left onto Hope St. Meet at store parking lot on the left after about 0.1 miles. Info: [link=mailto:shildneck@cshore.com]shildneck@cshore.com[/link] or [link=mailto:swall@rcn.com]swall@rcn.com[/link] [/blockquote]

I have just posted new pictures of this weekends hike.

Monica and I had a good time. We hiked Mount Greylock in the North Western corner of Mass. We enjoyed the sun at times and even a real soking as it rained on the way down. Apart from the bad dog (Marcy who got into a dog fight among other things) the day was very fun. A great day.

This weekends hike will be Mount Greylock in MA. Click here for pics of my last visit. The forcast is Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent in the morning and 50% by afternoon. Looks like the earlier the better.

Meeting place (click to view larger image, then right click on larger image and choose save picture as)