Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Day Hiker's Guide to Trips Beyond the by Green Mountain Club The Long Trail Vermont | Map and Thru-Hike Planner. An interactive map of the Long Trail complete with a guide to plan your thru-hike. Updated: January 29th, 2021. To Print PDF: Step 1) Expand to full screen view (click box in top right hand corner of map). Step 2) Zoom in to your desired map section view. Step 3) Click on the three white vertical dots and then "Print Map" from that drop down menu. Overview. Length: 273 miles. Time to hike: 2 to 4 weeks. Start and End Point: The Southern terminus is Williamston, MA. The Northern terminus is Journey's End road in North Troy. Highest elevation : (4,394 ft) Lowest elevation : Winooski River at Jonesville (326 ft) Opened in 1930, the Long Trail in Vermont is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States and reportedly inspired Benton MacKaye to plan the . It spans the length of Vermont traversing the ' significant summits. © dvs (CC BY 2.0) Planning Your Thru-Hike. When to go: Timing, Weather and Seasons. Although the hiking season for the Long Trail starts in June and ends in October, we think the ideal time to go is in September. This is when crowds diminish, bugs nearly vanish, temperatures are moderate and the autumn leaves come out. In case you decided to start hiking earlier in the Summer or later, in October, here are some of the disturbances you are likely to encounter: 1. Crowds: In 2018, 200,000 hikers walked the Long Trail, mostly day and section hikers. The Long Trail also gets some traffic from the Appalachian Trail, which overlaps the LT's southernmost 100 miles. The crowds considerably diminish once the AT turns towards NH and . 2. Mud/Snow: There is a good reason why Vermont is known as "Vermud". Snow can start covering the trail as early as October, and will usually persist all the way through March. When the snow finally melts, the trails get covered in deep mud, sometimes as high as knee level. The Green Mountain Club, which supervises and maintains the trail, discourages any hiking prior to Memorial Day Weekend. 3. Bugs: The Long Trail attracts lots of bugs following mud season, mosquitoes and blackflies being the most dreaded ones. They will fly into your eyes, buzz your ears and you may even swallow a few while hiking. Getting There: Transportation. To/From the Southern Terminus: The southern terminus is located in Williamstown, MA and there are many bus lines traveling to and from Williamstown that you can choose from. The most common option is to fly into New York and catch the Peter Pan Bus Line from Port Authority directly to Williamstown and vice verse if you're starting up north. But if New York is out of your way, Peter Pan can also take you to and from the trailhead from or . To/From the Northern Terminus: The airport nearest to the north end of the trail is located in Burlington, VT. From Burlington, it is a 90-minute drive to get to the trailhead in North Troy. Unfortunately, there are no direct bus lines connecting the trail on this side of the state; your options to get to and from North Troy are to either hike, grab a cab or hire a private shuttle. Direction to Hike: Northbound or Southbound? The most popular and easiest way to hike the LT is northbound. The first 104 miles of the Long Trail (South) are shared with the AT and are not as difficult as the remaining 170 miles. Thus, starting at the southern terminus allows you to get in gear before hitting the rugged and remote terrain in the North. Navigation: Maps and Apps. The Long Trail is an easy trail to follow. The main path is clearly indicated by 2-by-6-inch blazes, and side trails are blazed blue. Although well-marked, it is recommended you bring a guide, compass or map with you on the Long Trail, in case you find yourself diverging off the beaten path. Your best options for trail guides and navigation apps are: Packing: Gear and Clothing. Gear: This is a massive topic that deserves it's own ultralight gear guide . In general though, aim to keep your pack light as the steep and whirly terrain will make you regret a heavier option. A base weight under 20 pounds is ideal, but anything under 30 pounds remains acceptable ;) Clothing: If you're hiking the Long Trail, you're going to get wet. So, bring easy to dry hiking cloth hiking clothes. Remember to use layers so you can adjust your clothing to the changing weather conditions. Shoes: Your footwear should be ready to handle boot-sucking mud and foot drenching streams. Again, there is no way around it, your feet will get wet. Sorry folks. Ditch your waterproof boots and, instead, consider trail runners or similar lightweight hiking footwear that dries quickly. Where to Sleep: Camping, Shelters, and Hostels. There are over 70 overnight sites along the trail, located about 8 to 10 miles apart. These break down into: Tent sites with wooden platforms Lean-to shelters that fit 6 to 10 people Enclosed lodges with wooden bunks for up to 24 people. All sites are conveniently located near water sources and come with their own privy. The majority of shelters and lodges are free, but a handful cost a nominal fee of $5 per night which is used to fund the GMC's Caretaker Program. Given the generous amount of facilities available along the trail, you may be tempted to leave your tent at home, but don't. The shelters and lodges are first-come-first-serve, and they fill up rapidly, especially during peak season. So, make sure you're prepared to sleep in the wild. For those of you that'd prefer the comfort of a hostel, here are a few recommendations: The Green Mountain House is a hiker favorite known for its friendly owners and clean accommodations. The hostel is located at the 54-mile mark in Manchester VT and is 5 miles off the LT and AT. The Twelve Tribes religious group also offers the Yellow Deli hostel in Rutland where you can stay for free if you don't mind helping out with chores. Another well-known hostel is the ReTribe hiker hostel which has laundry facilities, shared and private rooms and a kitchenette. It is located in the Mount Mansfield area. How to Resupply: Food, Water, and Towns. Towns are abundant along the trail, which means you'll have easy access to food, gear and supplies and should never have to carry more than four to five days of food in your pack. Mail drops are certainly possible, but most people don't use them because the trail towns have everything you need. The Long Trail is well known among locals who are used to helping hikers get to and back from towns. A few locations also offer shuttle services that travel between trailheads and towns. Make sure you secure your food and scented items to protect them from bears and other animals frequenting the area. For this purpose, it's always a good idea to carry a bear canister or a bear bag in case one of the campsites doesn't have a bear box. As for water, you'll find it in abundance throughout the hike as all overnight sites have been strategically built near water sources. Just be sure to treat it before drinking or cooking with it. If you need to acquire or replace gear, you can visit one of four outfitters available on the trail (listed from South to North): OUTFITTER TOWN WEBSITE Nature’s Closet Williamston, MA https://naturescloset.net Mountain Goat Manchester, VT https://www.mountaingoat.com EMS Manchester, VT https://www.ems.com Umiak Outdoor Outfitters Stowe, VT https://www.umiak.com. Sights: Nature and Wildlife. Much of the Long Trail is a green tunnel, but there are three notable alpine zones at Mount Mansfield, Camel's Hump and . From these vistas, the views are outstanding. There's also many knobs, bluffs and spur trails that lead to additional scenic viewpoints. While hiking, you may encounter a wide variety of animals like foxes, deer, moose, or ruffed grouse. Black bears are also present in Vermont, but they tend to stay away from crowds and it is unlikely you'll see one. Finally, don't forget to look up as you may catch a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker, a bald eagle or a peregrine falcon. Frequently Asked Questions. Is the Long Trail difficult? Although the Long Trail is relatively short and low, it remains a challenging thru-hike. You'll want to prepare for an end-to-end hike with a few 10+ mile multi-day backpacking trips. The Long Trail was built before trail design was a thing. Therefore, most of the climbs go straight up the mountains and don't use switchbacks to ease the steepness of an ascent. Factor in the muddy soil, the eroded pathways, and the constant ups and downs and you will find that the Long Trail is very deserving of its name. Are dogs allowed on the Long Trail? Yes, dogs are allowed on the Long Trail. Note that you will be required to hold them on a leash in areas where the flora is particularly fragile (ie. Alpine zones). Additional Resources. Trail Town Amenities Southbound (full list) Long Trail Lodging and Outfitters (full list) We're curious. have you thru-hiked the Long Trail? Any tips you care to share? By Kelly Hodgkins: Kelly is a full-time backpacking guru. She can be found on and Maine trails, leading group backpacking trips, trail running or alpine skiing. About Greenbelly: After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to provide fast, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. Chris also wrote How to Hike the Appalachian Trail . Affiliate disclosure: We aim to provide honest information to our readers. We do not do sponsored or paid posts. In exchange for referring sales, we may receive a small commission through affiliate links. This post may contain affiliate links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Your Guide to Hiking the White and Green Mountains. No matter your skill level or the type of adventure you're seeking, 's two dominant mountain ranges offer plenty of opportunities to explore. Here's your guide to getting the most out of them. Throughout the pandemic, we'll keep publishing news to help you navigate the state of travel today (like whether travel insurance covers the coronavirus), as well as stories about places for you to put on your bucket list once it's safe to start going more far-flung. Any visitor to New England looking to escape to the mountains faces one major question: The Whites or the Greens? Both of the Northeast’s dominant ranges offer plenty of opportunities to explore but have markedly different environments. Steep and rugged, the White Mountains are concentrated in north-central New Hampshire, extending from the east to just across the Maine border. The bulk of the range is contained in 796,000-acre White Mountain National Forest, which includes six federally designated wilderness areas and more than 7,700 acres of alpine habitat. Forty-eight peaks in the Whites exceed 4,000 feet in elevation, capped by 6,288-foot , the highest point in the northeastern U.S., the former record holder for the world’s highest wind gust (231 miles per hour), and the site of many infamous climbing and mountaineering stories. An extraordinary network of some 1,250 miles of hiking trails crisscross the Whites, including about 160 miles of the Appalachian Trail. While most forest trails and campgrounds have reopened in both New Hampshire and Maine, be sure to check the status of individual sites before visiting. To the west, across the Connecticut River and the Vermont border, lie the Greens. Gently rolling and thickly forested, the range runs the entire length of Vermont from the Massachusetts border to the boundary of Quebec, Canada. Green Mountain National Forest protects 400,000 acres of the range. Within it is 4,395-foot Mount Mansfield, the highest of the state’s five peaks over 4,000 feet in elevation, rising prominently above the ski area of Smugglers’ Notch. The Greens boast more than 600 miles of foot trails, knitted together by the 272-mile Long Trail. Completed in 1930, it’s the oldest long-distance trail in the country and includes about 100 miles of the AT. The trail opened on May 22 with new guidelines, and some overnight and backcountry facilities have reopened at limited capacity as of June 15. Though Green Mountain Association is encouraging day hikes, dispersed camping is allowed at some locations along the Long Trail and AT. (Check Green Mountain Club’s updates for the latest.) How to decide between New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Vermont’s Greens? Whether you prefer breathtaking vistas, waterfalls, or multi- day backpacking trips, we’ve highlighted the best outing in each range to help you pick. If You Want and Vistas. ( Photo: Paul Tessier/Stocksy) The Whites: Carpeted with delicate wildflowers in early summer, the bald summit of the dome-shaped (4,760 feet) features an impressive 360-degree grandstand over the alpine terrain of the and into the Dry River Wilderness below. Begin from the trailhead at Mount Clinton Road on U.S. Route 302 in State Park, about 20 miles south of the town of Lancaster in central New Hampshire. Ascend via the 2.9-mile Edmands Path, which provides the most direct route to the Mount Eisenhower Loop, a half-mile hike to the summit. 7.1-mile loop, strenuous. The Greens: The distinctive profile of 4,083-foot Camel’s Hump, Vermont’s only 4,000-plus-foot summit without a ski area or any other development, resembles that of a sleeping lion when viewed from the east or west. The panorama from the mountain’s craggy alpine top takes in Lake Champlain, New York’s Adirondacks, and the White Mountains. Start from the eastern base of Camel’s Hump at Couching Lion Maple Sugar Farm, a few miles south of the town of North Duxbury, near Burlington. Hike the lower section of Monroe Trail, and continue on to Dean Trail before hitting Wind Gap, which leads to the viewpoint via Long Trail. 7-mile loop, strenuous. If You Want Waterfalls. The Whites: Dropping 80 feet down the northwest side of lofty Cannon Mountain are a series of cascades and pools, including the main 35-foot plunge of Bridal Veil Falls. From the trailhead just off New Hampshire Route 116, a few miles north of Easton, the family-friendly Coppermine Trail climbs alongside a brook in a forest of ferns and moss-covered boulders. A log shelter located just a quarter mile across the brook from the falls makes for the perfect lunch spot. 5 miles round-trip, moderate. The Greens: The 125-foot-tall Lye Brook Falls, reached via Lye Brook Trail, is the most impressive natural feature in the Lye Brook Wilderness, an 18,000-acre forested plateau of streams, ponds, and bogs just east of the town of Manchester Center. From its source deep in the woods on Stratton Mountain, Lye Brook Falls tumbles and surges through a narrow rock chute to a sea of boulders and down into the valley below. Just before reaching the falls, the trail crosses a short stretch of wide-open hillside, the result of a 500-foot landslide caused by the heavy rains of Hurricane Irene in August 2011. 4.4 miles round-trip, moderate. If You Want Backcountry Hiking. ( Photo: L&S Studios/Stocksy) The Whites: In north-central New Hampshire near Mount Washington, take a trip into the heart of the 45,000-acre . Start at the roaring for a few miles of ambling along the Lincoln Woods Trail, then hike the Franconia Brook Trail to Thirteen Falls and its Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) tent site. Next, climb the 2.4-mile Twin Brook Trail to , one of five 4,000- plus-foot peaks. More tent sites and shelters, including the comfy Galehead Hut—one of the most remote huts in the AMC’s system—can be found along the connecting Twinway (part of the AT) and Bondcliff Trails, a beautiful route that leads 11.5 miles over South Twin Mountain, Mount Guyot, , and Bondcliff. 25-mile loop, 2 to 3 days, strenuous. The Greens: (3,748 feet) and its circa-1927 fire tower are the highlights of an outstanding backpacking circuit through the 22,425-acre . From the trailhead at City Stream on Vermont Route 9, just east of Bennington, follow a 10.4-mile scenic stretch of the renowned Long Trail, which passes two shelters, tent sites, and water sources. On the wooded summit of Glastenbury, climb the tower to enjoy the grand 360-degree view. Returning from the tower, the hike continues on the less traveled West Ridge Trail (7.8 miles) and then Bald Mountain Trail for the 1.9-mile descent to the valley. You’ll end at the East Trailhead on Harbour Road, several miles west of the starting point. Arrange a car shuttle or hitchhike to get back to your vehicle. 22-mile horseshoe loop, 2 to 3 days, strenuous. If You Want Easy and Accessible Trails. ( Photo: Raymond Forbes LLC/Stocksy) The Whites: In the village of North Conway, the lower half-mile of Moat Mountain Trail is a mostly level walk leading to a shady grove of hemlocks and Diana’s Baths, a pretty series of waterfalls, pools, and potholes. 1.2 miles round-trip, easy. The Greens: A few miles south of Mount Mansfield and Smugglers’ Notch, in the village of Stowe, is the Stowe Recreation Path, a popular multi- use greenway that winds along the West Branch of the Little River. The paved path features views of the surrounding high peaks and access to local shops and eateries along its five-mile length. For a short walk, start at the southern trailhead on Vermont Route 100 and head north to Weeks Hill Road; then on the way back, break off on the adjacent Quiet Path, which is bike-free. About two miles, easy. This story was produced in partnership with Down East magazine. Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont: Trips Beyond the Long Trail by Green Mountain Club. No network connection is needed to use these maps in the backcountry. All maps are georeferenced, allowing GPS o n your mobile device to pinpoint your location on the map as you go. Other features include seeing your exact GPS coordinates at anytime, selecting a distant location to see how far away it is, marking places of interest, recording GPS tracks, plotting your geotagged photos on the maps, and more! Download the free Avenza Map App then visit T he Green Mountain Club map page on the Avenza Maps website for our complete catalog, or follow the links below to purchase. For more information on Avenza Maps, visit their support center . ​Disclaimer: You will be leaving the Green Mountain Club website to complete the purchase. Please note that GMC strongly recommends always having a paper map and compass in the backcountry. Digital devices may fail due to batteries dying, getting wet or broken, etc, and should only be used as an addition to paper maps. Map Title. Map Description. This map combined with the Long Trail Guide and End-to-Ender’s Guide provide the most comprehensive resource to plan and hike on the Long Trail. The map includes elevation profiles, up-to-date information about shelter and trail locations, and mileages. This map highlights the Manchester area in southwestern Vermont with wonderful hikes for all abilities to mountaintops, scenic ponds and beautiful waterfalls. The map covers Baker Peak, Peru Peak and White Rocks Mountain and Griffith Lake and Little Rock Pond, and includes directions to trailheads, trail mileages, and difficulty ratings. This new edition covers the Long Trail and side trails from Bolton Mountain south to Sunset Ledge. It includes trails to the summit of Camel's Hump, Vermont's third highest peak, Mount Abraham and the new Winooski River Footbridge. The map also includes the GPS coordinates for all trailhead parking lots. This new edition covers the Long Trail and side trails from Bolton Mountain south to Burnt Rock Mountain. It includes trails to the summit of Camel's Hump, Vermont's third highest peak, and the new Winooski River Footbridge. The map also includes the GPS coordinates for all trailhead parking lots. This map highlights the Manchester area in southwestern Vermont with wonderful hikes for all abilities to mountaintops, scenic ponds and beautiful waterfalls. The map covers Stratton, Bromley and Equinox Mountains and Stratton Pond, and includes directions to trailheads, trail mileages, and difficulty ratings. This map highlights the Killington Area, with detailed maps of Ascutney and . The map includes directions to trailheads, trail mileages, and trail difficulty ratings. This map highlights the Killington Area. The map includes directions to trailheads, trail mileages, and trail difficulty ratings. This map highlights the Manchester area in southwestern Vermont with wonderful hikes for all abilities to mountaintops, scenic ponds and beautiful waterfalls. The map covers Stratton, Bromley, and Equinox Mountains, and Stratton and Little Rock Ponds, and includes directions to trailheads, trail mileages, and difficulty ratings. This new edition covers the Long Trail and side trails from Burnt Rock Mountain south to Sunset Ledge. It includes trails to the summit of Mount Abraham and . The map also includes the GPS coordinates for all trailhead parking lots. This map highlights and Okemo State Forest. The map includes directions to trailheads, trail mileages, and trail difficulty ratings. Updated and revised 4th Edition of our full-color map of the many trails on Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. This edition includes the Long Trail relocation through Smugglers Notch. Also included are directions to trailheads and trail difficulty ratings. Updated and revised 4th Edition of our full-color map of the many trails on Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. This edition includes the Long Trail relocation through Smugglers Notch. Also included are the hiking trails of the beautiful Worcester Range, including Stowe Pinnacle and Mt. Hunger as well as directions to trailheads and trail difficulty ratings. This new edition now includes Mt. Elmore. New map of the excellent hiking in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont! This map has been updated to include the new Kingdom Heritage Trail on Middle Mountain and Bluff Ridge and the trail relocation on Wheeler Mountain. It also includes trails around Lake Willoughby and Wheeler Pond, plus Burke, Gore, Monadnock (VT), Bluff, Brousseau, and Averill Mountains. The map includes directions to trailheads and trail difficulty ratings. Updated and revised 4th Edition of our full-color map of the hiking trails of the beautiful Worcester Range, including Stowe Pinnacle and Mt. Hunger as well as directions to trailheads and trail difficulty ratings. This new edition now includes Mt. Elmore. Hiking in Vermont. The Green Mountain Club has been building and maintaining trails for over 100 years, including Vermont’s famous Long Trail. We’ve laid out all you need to start your trek. Find A Park. Vermont State Parks are the place to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you're making camping reservations, deciding on a hike or looking for information, start at the park finder. Find Your Next Hike. TrailFinder's resources will inspire you for your next hike and point you to important information like closures, difficulty level and nearby services. 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes. If you yearn for the beauty of the backcountry, but are not up for an epic day on the trail, there are many short hikes in Vermont that offer backcountry adventure with reward at the apex. Camping. Embrace Vermont's great outdoors. Camping in Vermont means nights under the stars, cozy campfires and the chance to forge tighter bonds and escape the everyday. WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO STAY. Vermont is home to unique lodging, world-class recreation, local food, shopping, history and art in beautiful surroundings. Plan your trip with our directory. Green Mountain Club. Arguably, food occupies the most brain space when it comes to backpacking trip planning. What will you eat on a multiday hike? How much should you pack? Fresh or dried? Hot food or stoveless? There’s so much to consider to appropriately fuel you while keeping pack weight low. And if you’ve ever … [Read More. ] GMC Field Staff: Meet the 2021 Caretakers and Trail Crews! GMC runs seasonal field staff in two main roles: backcountry caretakers, who steward some of the most popular sites on the Long Trail; and Long Trail Patrol, the trail maintenance crew, which includes a small construction-focused crew. The 2021 field season is a busy one, making up for the reduced … [Read More. ] What a Day Looks Like for GMC Caretakers. This article previously appeared in the Spring 2021 Long Trail News under the title “Day in the Life of a GMC Caretaker.” As many more people than usual took up hiking last summer, the Green Mountain Club had to manage their impacts while making them feel welcome. Fortunately our caretakers can … [Read More. ]