Vermont: Mount Mansfield Ladders

“For anyone who knows Mt. Mansfield - what options do I have getting across with my dog? The ladders, as I remember them, would be tough with 50 pound pooch.

Is there a Bushwack? Or can I get around them by taking the bypass (but thus missing the peak?)”

“I seem to remember a trail that goes past Butler Lodge and then ties into the summit trail between the Forehead and Nose. If you took that it would bypass the ladders. I’ll have to take a look at the guidebook to confirm.”

“Between the Forehead and the Nose and right up the ole Wahzoo.”

“Yeah...I don't remember the name of the trail that bypasses the forehead but I know there is one. "Laura Cowles Trail" and "Sunset Ridge Trail" pop into my head...but I don't think either of those are right. My mind is a little fuzzy today. Lots of help we are!

I would definitely not want to go up the forehead via the LT with a dog...I wouldn't want it running loose OR leashed to me on that part. Scary. :)”

“I'll probably have to work it out with some high quality maps, unless someone can tell me of a great bushwhack. There are a few places on other trail where there are cow paths that developed either when a bridge or ladder was out, or people for one reason or another felt the need to bypass the ladder.”