Hi Elizabeth. Thanks for commenting! You are absolutely right, we were standing just off the trail for those two photos (in pretty much the same spot), but we would never, EVER, walk in an area that’s fenced off. I do appreciate your point that any vegetation along the trail near the summit is fragile and I do encourage people not follow the bad, albeit legal, example I’ve set in this post. Thank you again for leaving such an important comment.

I was impressed that you started the post by talking about alpine vegetation on Mt. Mansfield. I definitely looks like you and Caroline were standing in the sedge for your summit photos. If you were I just wanted to point out that any vegetation on or off the trail is fragile and it’s really important that you stand and walk only on rocks while in the alpine area. Footsteps on the vegetation compress the soil which leads to major vegetation die back in the long run. I just wanted to point that out for anyone replicating this hike so that we can preserve Mansfield for everybody!

Hi Helen. I agree that it may appear as such, but I assure you that we never ventured outside of the designated areas for hiking on Mount Mansfield (or anywhere else). The areas where you’re allowed to go are clearly marked.

Hi Bram, thanks for the info of Mt Mansfield. I am curious about the pics you took of you and Carolin on the summit of Mt Mansfield. It appears you are standing where it is not recommended because of growth…just a friendly comment.

The views were phenomenal, indeed, Leigh!