I have visited Nebraska Notch 7 times since freshman year, yet I always wondered what "Clara Bow Trail (Rough)" would entail. As I was always leading beginner hikes on the Nebraska Notch Trail, there was never a time to blindly check out the trail I couldn't find much on the internet about. Yet, with 3 weeks on the graduation clock, I was set on making a Saturday out of the Nebraska Notch entryways I'd yet to hike.
This morning, Gretchen, Reegan, Lil, Diane, Bernadette, and I set out on the Lake Mansfield Trail in Stowe. From the lower (public) lot we started from, there was some unanticipated extra mileage and lots of eroded side-hilling until we joined the actual trailhead from the Trout Club. In the direction we were heading, the gain wasn't so bad, but it could be tricky at times with the leaves making footing unclear.
As we joined the true Lake Mansfield trail just past the Dam, we enjoyed a flat and wide path as we passed by the deceivingly large lake. The flat terrain ended some 1.7 miles into the day, with a brief yet aggressive 700 feet of elevation gain to the Beaver Dams of the Notch. Along the way, I was impressed by rock steps, erosion-control measures, and the obstructed yet frequent views. This time of year is terrific for viewing terrain features without foliage in the way, namely the cliffs of Nebraska Notch and the near-and-far views of Lake Mansfield.
Just beneath the two beaver ponds at the foot of Dewey Cliffs was a double cascade in a narrow gorge. Though I'd been close enough to hear the waterfalls just two weeks ago when I led an overnight to Taylor Lodge, I had no idea there was such a lovely phenomenon just out of sight! As we crossed the stream feeding into the falls, we were delighted to see some snow but also chilled by the shaded part of the trail that let the snow withstand.
By this point, I knew I'd warm up in the camp by familiarity with how the sun hits Taylor, but most of the group took a needed layering break before we got to the shelter. As we did our last bit of elevation to the tent platforms, we came up to Taylor Lodge happy for a nice break. The sun poked through the deck perfectly and we enjoyed looking down to the lake and up to the cliffs from the Lodge.
After our break and scaling to the top of the rafters, we took a brief detour up to the Nebraska Notch viewpoint and then began the highlight of our day. As some of my friends need a bit of type 2 baiting to agree on a hike, I promised a cave. While I still didn't know much about Clara Bow, Liz and Nick reported a moment on the trail where you see nothing but an arrow pointing down a dark hole and a glimpse of a ladder peering out. That was thankfully enough to build suspense for myself and the girls.
After deciding to out and back to the fun part rather than making a whole loop, we left Taylor Lodge and walked a shocking fourth of a mile to the coolest cave I've ever hiked down. Immediately- I was kicking myself. In the 7 times I'd been to Taylor Lodge, all that stood between me and a cool site was friggen 0.25 miles! Better now than never of course, but I can't believe I let this one escape me.
With me slowly leading through the low-footing and icy section right before the cave, we rolled up to the pre-ladder spot and I of course asked who else would go first. I HATE ladders but know I need the exposure therapy to hike Six Husbands next summer- hence my participation.
Unsurprisingly, Diane and Dette jumped at the opportunity and pivoted gracefully from the rock onto a darkness-obstructed ladder. As we filed into the cave, we marveled at the one hole on the ceiling letting in light, and just how unique a feature we were standing in! Coming out of the cave was easier than the drop-in but both were especially cool as our eyes adjusted to the different atmospheres. With the surprise behind us, the shuffle under the icicles wasn't as bad as coming in, and before we knew it we were back at the camp!
As we descended, the flats were again appreciated and once we got to the Trout Club entrance we opted to walk the road back rather than the side hill. When we were walking out, I noticed the upper public lot had cars in it- which would've cut off a lot of the meh miles. Interestingly, the gate was closed (but unlocked) so I think we still made the right choice with the lower lot, but frankly, I am not sure.
After we de-geared and took off our bright orange flagging, we eagerly drove to Ranch Camp for crunch wraps nearly across the board. If I've never written about it- I LOVE Ranch Camp. For every great restaurant in Stowe I've been to (and for 14 years of skiing with my foodie family, this is most of them), I've been to Ranch Camp countless times more for good reason. We surely used daylight to the fullest today and I'm so grateful I got out with this lovely group before I bittersweetly leave Vermont next month.
Final Stats:
5.51 miles
846 gain
Those pictures of the cave remind me of the Subway in King Ravine!