Elephant's Head Mountain/Sterling Pond Loop from Smuggler's Notch

Elephant Head Trail Loop: Stowe, VT. Start VT Route 108 at Smugglers Notch Picnic Area to Elephants Head Cliff to Sterling pond; 5.8 miles round trip; 1,780 ft. elevation gain; Moderate hiking.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/9/5/c/600_279906492.jpeg Trailhead: In Stowe at the junction of Routes 100 and 108, follow Route 108 (Mountain Road) north for 8.6 miles through the Stowe Mountain Resort and into Smuggler's Notch. The trailhead is on the right side of the road at the Smuggler's Notch Picnic Area. From the Stowe side you can leave your car in the turnout by the gate just past the ski area and walk to the picnic area.

Starting in the Smugglers’ Notch Picnic Area (you should see a sign that says Entrance Smugglers Notch Picnic Area) just North of the Southern Gateway, this portion of the Long Trail crosses a recent rock slide and affords incredible views or the Notch below. Follow the white blazes to Sterling Pond. At the 2.3m mark there is the Elephant’s Head side trail (.1m) for additional outstanding views from the top of the Elephant’s Head rock formation.

0.0 Take the LT-North from the Smugglers Notch Picnic Area, crossing West Branch Waterbury River. Ascend the wall of the Notch.

1.5 Cross an old landslide.

2.3 Spur trail to the top of Elephant's Head Cliff. Turn Right to continue on the LT-North to Sterling Pond.

3.0 Merge with Snuffy's Trail, a ski trail. View of Mount Mansfield's "Chin."

3.3 Bear right (northeast) at the junction of the LT-North and the Sterling Pond Trail toward the pond.

3.4 Arrive at the pond. Return to junction of LT and Sterling Pond Trail.

3.5 Arrive at junction of LT and Sterling Pond Trail. Continue on Sterling Pond Trail, descending steeply to the Jeffersonville side of Smuggs.

4.5 Turn left and follow the road over smugglers notch

5.8 Close the loop at the trailhead at the Smuggler's Notch Picnic Area