Smugglers' Notch is a narrow pass through Vermont's Green Mountains lined with 1,000-foot cliffs and dotted with numerous natural alcoves perfect for hiding illicit goods. The area is named for the smuggling that occurred in the lead-up to the War of 1812, when the US prohibited American trade with Canada. Many locals, long dependent on this trade for their livelihood, bypassed the embargo by carrying goods through the notch.
Route for smugglers, hideout for pirates
This corridor is now preserved by Smugglers' Notch State Park, where a 3 ½-mile scenic road winds through the pass. We walked a short boardwalk to a beaver pond with a great view of the notch, then stopped at a forested picnic area for lunch.
Barnes Camp Boardwalk
Smugglers' Notch
Early in the afternoon, we met Alex and Sarah at the base of the Gondola Skyride, part of the Stowe Mountain Ski Resort. Mount Mansfield, at 4,393 feet, is Vermont's highest peak. Tom and I visited the summit last spring via a different route, but it was raining and foggy that day, and we couldn't see a thing. Today, we'd ride the gondola partway up, then hike/climb the rest.
After buying our lift tickets, the four of us boarded the gondola for our ride up the mountain. It's a cool way to go! The sky was a little cloudy, but at least the clouds were above the peaks – a vast improvement from last year. The temperature was very comfortable. A great day for hiking!
Tom on the Gondola Skyride
From the gondola
Mount Mansfield from afar resembles an elongated face, with The Chin as its highest point. From the top of the gondola, you're still 900 vertical feet below the mountain's ridge. The shortest route to the top is via the VERY STEEP Cliff Trail, which connects to the Long Trail before reaching the summit.
Round-trip between the gondola and The Chin is only 1.6 miles, but the Cliff Trail is no joke. Still, we were game to do it. Super fit and much younger Alex and Sarah were very patient with Tom and me as we tortoised up the trail.
Top of the gondola
Bottom of the Cliff Trail
Sarah takes a photo
View from the Cliff Trail
Alex and Sarah lead the way
The Cliff Trail was tough but fun. We had to crawl through some narrow areas and climb up and over huge boulders, but metal hand-holds have been installed in the trickiest sections, and it never felt too dangerous. Descending, however, was going to be a bit more treacherous.
Tom navigates a notch
Traversing a tricky spot
Top of the Cliff Trail
Emerging from the Cliff Trail at its intersection with the Long Trail, we were now high on the Mount Mansfield's ridge and the views were amazing. A year ago, we could hardly see our hands in front of our faces!
Looking toward The Nose
Tom and Sarah examine the flora
Alex waits for us slowpokes
We continued up the Long Trail to Mount Mansfield's peak and soon claimed the highest point in Vermont for a second time! Last year, we had the place to ourselves. Not so on this beautiful late summer day.
Tom and Jana at the summit of Mount Mansfield, VT
We are not alone
Looking down from Mount Mansfield (4,393 feet)
Coming down the Cliff Trail was way more sketchy than climbing up, but nobody got hurt and nobody died. Success! Summiting via the Gondola Skyride and Cliff Trail is awesome!
Heading back down
Alex descends the Cliff Trail
Sarah poses for a pic
Tom in a tight spot
Sunny view
Parting ways with Alex and Sarah in the parking lot, Tom and I then made haste out of Vermont and back into New York, stopping for the night in the touristy Village of Lake George, NY, right around sunset. We had a good dinner at The Garrison Bar & Grill while we watched disappointing college football. Oh, well, you can't win 'em all.
Lodging: Studio Motel of Lake George. A big, clean room with a kitchenette. The walls were paper thin, but the partying stopped at a reasonable hour. Good value.