Happy New Year

Matt and I have somewhat of a tradition now to hike Mt. Mansfield on New Years Eve Day.  This year Sam joined us, and we did the full circuit, but with a slight amendment.  Once on the Maple Ridge trail we took the Rock Garden trail southeast to Butler Lodge.  We ran into our first fellow hikers and we were offered some Yukon Jack.  At 11:00am.  Boy was it tasty.  We then took the Long Trail north over the forehead (through some harrowing terrain) and over the ridge to the chin.  Then we did a rapid descent down the Laura Cowles trail.  Can't think of any greater way to close out a year.  Those post-hike Limbo IPAs never tasted so good.  Here is a video of Matt coming up the Long Trail to the forehead.  Sam has some additional pictures and video.