Perpendicular Trail

Perpendicular Trail is a steep out-and-back up Mansell Mountain’s west side, built around a granite staircase across a talus slope. From the Long Pond south-shore parking area, walk about 0.2 mile on Long Pond Trail to the junction, climb to the wooded summit area, and return the same way. That makes about 2 miles round trip, counting the access path both ways, before an optional viewpoint spur. Allow about 2 hours; stops or careful footing can make it longer. This is a strenuous hike with a concentrated climb, suited to hikers comfortable on irregular rock and built-in ladder hardware. Its appeal is the unusual trail craft and a view over Long Pond, not a summit panorama.

The walk begins on a gravel path along Long Pond. About 0.2 mile in, turn onto Perpendicular; it rises across a talus slope using more than 300 cut granite steps, several iron rungs, and a small ladder. You get glimpses of the pond through trees as the path gains height. The stairs are steep and uneven, and descending the same way means placing each step on the same stonework again. Wear closed-toe shoes with good traction; the tread is very uneven. The route is not accessible for mobility devices.

Just before the route leaves the rocky face, a short spur leads to an overlook toward Beech Mountain, Long Pond, and the outer islands. The summit follows in the woods and has no view, so do not pass the spur expecting a panorama at the high point. Give yourself enough time there. For a photo with context, include the pond in the foreground and Beech Mountain beyond instead of filling the frame only with stonework.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built Perpendicular Trail in 1933 and 1934. On the talus slope, workers laid flat boulders end to end to make a walking path, then added stone steps and ramps. They covered the stonework with local moss and planted ferns along its edge to help it blend into the hillside. Look at how the cut granite blocks weave through the boulders: the engineered passage is the main reason this short ascent feels different from a plain wooded summit walk.

To make a circuit instead of retracing the steps, follow the 2.7-mile Perpendicular and Razorback Loop. It uses the same Long Pond approach and Perpendicular climb, then descends the Razorback ridge to Gilley and returns via Cold Brook and Long Pond. Razorback is also steep and has ridge views before it enters forest; it is a different outing on additional named trails, not part of this 2-mile out-and-back. Use the parking area at Long Pond’s south end, opposite the municipal water pumping station; there is no public bus to this access. Dogs are prohibited on Perpendicular because of the steps, rungs, and ladder.