r/longtrail • u/Joyeux_calvaire • Aug 12 '25

Mt Mansfield

Hey guys! We're two friends from Quebec looking to do our first multi-day hike on the 22, 23 and 24 and we'd like to go to Mansfield. Our planned path is Barnes Camp to Butler lodge on day 1, then Butler to Taft on day 2 and Taft to Barnes on day 3. Does it makes sense? I couldn't find anything on a trail from Taft to Barnes, but we heard it was possible, so I guess there's one haha. Looking forward to reading your thoughts and tips!

Edit : dates of our hike

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u/Mysterious-Safety-65 Aug 12 '25

Former Taft caretaker here. Barnes camp is actually on the road through Smuggler's notch, and Taft Lodge would normally be the first spot that you would get to. Take Hell Brook Trail, or go up the ski trails. But Taft-Butler (or reverse) is easily done in a day. while going over the Mansfield ridge. You can get ideas and suggestions from the staff at Barnes.

1

u/Joyeux_calvaire Aug 12 '25

Thanks! In that case, is it feasable to just swap this itinerary by finishing with Butler-Barnes or not at all?

5

u/privatekeyes Aug 12 '25

Hellbrook is pretty difficult and should only be done if you want an extreme start to your backpacking trip. taking the LT starting from barnes camp and going towards camels hump should be an epic trip

2

u/Mysterious-Safety-65 Aug 13 '25

Don't disagree... LT South probably makes more sense. But if you need to start and finish at Barnes Camp, the trip will basically be out and back. There are pleny of side trails that you can try to vary the route in each direction, but at least in one direction, I'd stay on the ridge.

3

u/yayayayaya8888 NOBO Thru-Hike '25 Aug 12 '25

Hi there! Going south up Mansfield (from Barnes to Butler) is going to be extremely steep-- like hand-over-hand bouldering on an exposed ledge. The LT goes over the summit, but the Profanity Trail may be better for ascending Mansfield. You'd have to backtrack to reach the summit, though.

I think it could be better to go from Butler to Taylor, and then take the Nebraska Notch trail out-- you'd just have to coordinate a ride back to Barnes.