Nebraska Notch Hike in Peak Fall Colors

 TWTS7699.JPG

Thanks to the drone you can get a better idea of just how amazing, gorgeous, and secluded this area is.

    It can get pretty crowded here in Stowe during the peak changing of the leaves season. But if you know where to go, you can find some dramatic fall scenery, without the crowds. The Nebraska Notch hike is one of these places. It starts all the way at the end of Nebraska Valley road. The road dead ends into the members-only Mansfield Trout Club, but there is a separate parking area for day hikers, just above the building. The hike winds its way along the banks of Lake Mansfield, before angling up towards the Nebraska Notch. It is about 2 miles and 800ft elevation gain. At the top you find yourself on the famous Long Trail, and an overnight shelter for hikers.

   The Fall colors were amazing around the lake, and only got better as I climbed higher on the trail. I didn't see another soul, all the way to the top. It was just pure, natural serenity. The shelter had some very cool bunks in it, and I couldn't help but think about bringing the kids up here for an overnight adventure. The trees had grown up, impacting the view a bit, but I put my dji mini 4k drone to good use, getting a better vantage of the surroundings. What I saw blew me away!

   I did see a couple hikers on my way down, but for the most part I felt like I had the trail all to myself. Not too shabby for this time of year! Enjoy the photos and the colors.

IMG_E5664.JPG
Mansfield Lake turning colorful for the Fall season.

JAVT5337.JPG
Hidden Valley. This is the view from on top of Nebraska Notch.

KMUN9865.JPG
This is an overnight shelter for hikers doing the Long Trail. There were some really cute bunk beds inside.

IMG_5686.JPG
I'm going to have to come back here when the kids are old enough to hike up, and spend the night.

VIZE7518.JPG
Cabin lost in the rainbow colored woods.

IMG_5708.JPG
View from the top.

IMG_5661.JPG
This hike starts at the private ,members only Mansfield Trout Club.

IMG_5666.JPG
The colors are really firing now.

IMG_5682.JPG
The colors getting better with a little elevation.

IMG_5683.JPG
A beaver home near the top.

IMG_5684.JPG

IMG_5709.JPG
I could stay here for a while.

IMG_5678.JPG
Another view of the beaver area.

Comments

Post a Comment

Leaving a comment is a great way to provide feedback, ask further questions, and inspire more answers...so go for it.

Popular posts from this blog

Secret Maui Waterfall

Image
  No matter how quick a trip to Maui might be there will be hidden gems found and great times had. After a little snafu with my flight I made it standby to Maui, picked up my rental car, and rushed off to meet my friends on the road to Hana. We met at Frog Pond, one of our favorite swimming holes near the beginning of the road to Hana. After some rock hopping and cliff jumping here we decided to check out the hidden waterfalls at mile 11. I'm not sure what the name of these falls are but there are two of them, each with their own swimming holes. It is just off the highway but separated by lush jungle. A rope swing beckons the adventurous and rocks warmed by the sun give you more than enough reason to while away the afternoon.
Read more

Hidden Ulupalakua Lava Tube, Maui

Image
  High above the crowded beaches of South Maui lies a hidden secret adventure that only those in the know will ever experience. Hidden only a thousand yards or so off a well traveled road around 4,000ft in elevation sits a massive cave which angles slowly down the side of Haleakala volcano. The amazing formations inside and the cave itself were formed by lava, creating an underground tube to transport the lava farther down the slope of the volcano. The same thing can be seen actively happening on the Big Island currently. Luckily this lava tube is all dried up making it much safer to explore. However the loose rocks and obvious cave ins leave some cause for concern.   Part of this adventure is just finding the entrance. This included a dirt road, a jeep trail, jumping an old stone wall, then bushwhacking through dense brush for about tweny-five minutes before finding the lava tube entrance. It was surrounded by ferns, just like the famous Thurston Lava Tube in Volcanoes ...
Read more

Search for Chameleons, Maui

Image
  You never know what might be hiding in your backyard. Here on Maui there have always been tales of people finding Jackson's chameleons in their bushes. The trick is to travel a few thousand feet up Haleakala volcano to Makawao, Pukalani and Kula towns where the temperature is a little cooler and it is a bit wetter, perfect conditions for chameleons.   There are no native reptiles on Hawaii. These beautiful chameleons were released or escaped from the pet trade. Luckily they have not become invasive like many other introduced species, however they have increased in population and seem to be doing quite well in the higher elevation areas. Heidi and I went on a search the other day at our friend's house in Kula and were shocked to find a dozen different chameleons in her side yard hedge. They were mostly at eye level, and were curled up asleep for the night. We found them easily enough with flashlights since they seem to sleep near the outer edge of the hedge at night. ...
Read more