"Loop Trail:" The Loop Trail begins roughly 5.8 miles down the Byron Road roughly 1.5 miles beyond the Brook Trail. The trailhead is well - marked and provides a good parking area. This route is one of the most direct paths to the summit, as it rises steeply up the mountainside, eventually intersecting with the Tumbledown Ridge Trail, which provides access to the mountain's peaks. The trail itself is 2 rugged miles, and provides stunning views of the Tumbledown cliffs approximately one mile in. From there, the trail rises very steeply up a gully and requires a lot of boulder scrambling. Near the end, the trail actually goes up through a fissure between several boulders, creating a steep, chimney - like passage referred to in most guidebooks and web pages as "Fat Man's misery,". There are several iron rungs to assist hikers, but you must remove your backpack in order to fit through it. This makes having a partner very helpful. Claustrophobics should not climb this trail, nor should individuals who struggle with heights. Descending this trail is extremely tough and a bit dangerous. Hikers are better off ascending the Loop Trail and descending to the pond via Tumbledown Ridge Trail. From there, you can hike back to the Byron Road via the Brook Trail. The actual "Fat Man's Misery" is downhill and to the left of "The Chimney," is poorly marked, and opens into a cliff face.