Laura Cowles Trail
Reaches Mount Mansfield (4,396 ft), Lower Lip (4,121 ft).
- Length
- 1.0 mi
- Climb
- 1,830 ft
- Time, one way
- about 1 h 35 min
- County
- Chittenden
- Difficulty
- Moderateestimated
- Surface
- dirt
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About this trail
The Laura Cowles Trail is the other half of the classic loop on Mansfield's west side. It leaves Sunset Ridge a short way above the CCC Road junction and climbs about 1.4 miles, by the Green Mountain Club's figures, back to Sunset Ridge just below the ridgeline; from there the Long Trail runs 0.2 mile north to the Chin at 4,395 feet. The club's suggested loop goes up Laura Cowles and down the open ridgeline of Sunset Ridge, about 6 miles with 2,600 feet of climbing.
Good to know
- Start from Underhill State Park; the park closes in early October, after which you park before the gate.
- Mansfield can be very crowded; go early or on a weekday.
Written by VTHiking from Green Mountain Club, Laura Cowles and Sunset Ridge Loop, checked Oct 24, 2026. Distances in this text are the source's own; the figures above are measured from the mapped line and can differ.
Where to park
Nearest parking
No trailhead is mapped on this trail or within 1 km of it. These are the closest lots you can reach along mapped trails.
- Underhill State Park Verified: PaidNearest parking, 0.79 mi along trails1,864 ft · Chittenden CountyVerified 2026-10-09
- Long Trail Trailhead Fee unconfirmedNearest parking, 1.1 mi along trails3,846 ft · Lamoille County
- Hell Brook Trail Trailhead (Jeffersonville) Fee unconfirmedNearest parking, 1.6 mi along trails1,865 ft · Lamoille County
Walking distances follow the mapped trail network. They are not a route, they ignore slope, and they are not driving directions.
Elevation
Climb, time and difficulty are estimates worked out from the mapped line and USGS elevation data, not measurements or official ratings. Time assumes about 2.5 mph plus an hour per 1,500 ft climbed.
Management
- Network
- lwn
Other trails nearby
Trail geometry and attributes from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation from USGS 3DEP. Lengths are computed from mapped geometry and are approximate. Safety disclaimer.