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          VERMONT'S "LONG TRAIL"

                                                               Map


•    A 270-mile long footpath maintained by Green Mountain Club (GMC)

•     Stretches from the Massachusetts state line to Canadian Border 

•    Nearly 70 shelters, 8-10 miles apart generally; a small fee ($4) is charged for a few of the more fragile areas, such as Stratton Pond or Skyline Lodge. The GMC fee is used to fund a site caretaker. Be sure to carry a few dollars with you.
A complete list of LT shelters can be found here: Green Mountain Club Shelter Page.

•    A Long Trail  thru-hike is known as an “End to End;" GMC awards “End-to-Enders” a patch after review of their application; the form can be printed off the GMC website (below).
 
•    Trail Marking are white blazes, same as the A.T., side trails blue-blazed with signs

•     The Green Mountain Club keeps an informal list of local club members willing to shuttle hikers to/from Long Trail tralheads in their areas. or call (802) 244-7037. Best to set this up in advance with a likely time frame.

      •    Southern end starts at MA/VT state line – atop a mountain. Must walk there.
     Take either AT from Rt 2/North Adams, MA (longer) or Pine Cobble Trail (steeper) to start.
The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority has an excellent, inexpensive intercity bus service between Massachussetts towns such as Williamstown, North Adams, Adam and Pittsfield (train connections). There is a bus stop on Rt. 2 in North Adams, near where the AT crosses.


      •    Northern end: Accessed Via Journey’s End Trail. No more Greyhound bus service at North Troy, VT.
     Try Rose Apple Acres Farm B&B (802)988-4300 back to Burlington; their website has a great map that orients the northern Long Trail with local highways and towns. Give them a week's notice, if possible. They will also keep your car fora small fee.
      or Steve Merrill (802)988-2958; call for rates

•    Use caution in leaving cars at trailheads. Vandalism is not unknown, even in "safe" areas.. My car was in a paid parking area and both windows were smashed while I was hiking. I have since heard of a dozen or more incidents along the LT. Don't let this discourage you. Vermonters are great, and there will always be "an element" anywhere you go.


•     Which way to hike?

      •    NOBO? Easier in the south, first 100 miles co-joined with App. Trail; slowly gets more difficult,
      plenty of other hikers, resupply easier early on, after Maine Junction trail gets rougher, slower-going,
      dramatic second half

      •    SOBO? Northern part rocky and steep. More isolation and difficult stuff early on while knees fresh,
      can move fast at southern end to finish

•    Timing – due to mud/erosion, GMC discourages hiking before Memorial Day; high elevation (Mansfield/Camel’s Hump) portions closed. Check website for annual start date. Black flies bad into June, storms after early October

•    25-28 days typical, though with hard schedule and good knees 18-21 possible

•    Weather: Expect anything, and check GMC website before leaving; website also offers up-to-date info on trail re-locations

•    Three peaks above treeline: Abraham, Camel’s Hump and Mt. Mansfield (VT high point)

                                                                        RESOURCES:

•    Start here:  Green Mountain Club
      Phone: 802-244-7037
      Members get discounts on guidebooks, maps, such as:

•    The Long Trail Guide -- official guide, updated annually. Detailed maps, trail descriptions, broken into 12 Divisions, mileage charts, elevation profiles, shelters, water sources.  Good for planning, too large to carry. $18.95

  Long Trail Guide cover

•    Long Trail End-to-Ender's Guide -- supplement to the Long Trail Guide includes up-to-date information on trail conditions, overnight accommodations, equipment sales and repairs, mail drops, and transportation along the Long Trail.  Slim, light to carry, town details. $8.95

•    Long Trail Map—fold-up, semi-waterproof -- $9.95




                                                                                        RESUPPLY:

Many possibilities –
One NOBO sked:
Manchester Center - 58.5 miles, Full service grocery, restaurants, laundry, and outfitter.
The Inn at Long Trail - 108 miles, laundry and restaurant at Inn, hourly bus shuttle outside front door to Rutland for full services;
US 2 to Richmond - 188.6 miles, small laundry, small grocery, convenience store, several small restaurants, B&B.

We shipped full resupply boxes to
Stratton,
Inn at Long Trail,
VT 2/Jonesville PO (on LT) and
VT 15/Awesome View Hiker’s Hostel/Johnson.


Other FAQ: Green Mountain Club

                                                                                     LANDMARKS (NOBO):
Good luck on your Long Trail adventure! If you have questions, or to correct/update and information,
feel free to e-mail me at LiteShoe at gmail.com.