Long Trail, Vermont - Week 1

The Long Trail in Vermont is the country's oldest long-distance trail, with trail building starting in 1910! It's said that the Long Trail inspired Benton MacKaye to create the Appalachian Trail. The Long Trail follows the Green Mountains the length of Vermont from the Massachusetts border for 272 miles to the Canadian border. The Appalachian Trail follows the Long Trail for about 100 miles to Killington where the AT turns East to New Hampshire and the Long Trail continues North. Many people talk about how the trail is very different once the AT splits; the trail is less maintained and more rugged. Some people get lost due to inconsistent blazing, the mountain ascents become more rock scrambles, and the descents are steep rock slabs.

Why do I want to hike the Long Trail?

After thru-hiking, you learn of other trails and a to-do list forms. I wanted to hike the oldest long-distance trail to show respect and honor it. I loved the AT in Vermont and wanted to see more of the state. The trail is short enough that you can hike it in 3 weeks or so. I had the right amount of time to hike it after my Appalachian Trail ridgerunning job ended and before a wedding in October. I was told September is the best time to hike it due to less people (AT thru hikers) on the trail, less muddy due to less rain at that time of year, cooler temperatures, and the leaves changing.

gear list

You can find my Long Trail end-to-end gear list here.

land acknowledgement

The Long Trail is located on Wabanaki Confederacy; Abenaki/Abénaquis ancestral lands. Source: native-land.ca

Monday, September 12: 6.9 miles

Drove to North Adams, MA, and left car at Greylock Community Club. Hiked from North Adams to Seth Warner Shelter.

Tuesday, September 13: 14.7 miles

Seth Warner Shelter to Hell Hollow Brook.

Vermont is known for its muddy trails, affectionately termed Vermud.

Wednesday, September 14: 15.8 miles

Hell Hollow Brook to Story Spring Shelter.

**Beautifully created trail. Thanks to the trail crews!**

Thursday, September 15: 18.3 miles

Story Spring Shelter to Spruce Peak Shelter.

Over Stratton Mountain today.

**View from Stratton Mountain Fire Tower**

Friday, September 16: 12.9 miles

Spruce Peak Shelter to Peru Peak Shelter.

Hitchhiked into Manchester Center for resupply.

Saturday, September 17: 14.5 miles

Peru Peak Shelter to Greenwall Shelter.

**Magical Rock Cairns. I remember this part from my 2011 AT thru-hike**

Sunday, September 18: 8.8 miles

Greenwall Shelter to Clarendon Shelter.

One of my hiking partners from my Appalachian Trail thru-hike lives in Vermont so we planned to meet up. He drove down from Norwich to met me on the trail and hiked with me to Rt 103. Then he drove me to my car at the Greylock Community Club in North Adams, MA with a stop for ice cream along the way. I drove my car further up the trail to the Inn at the Long Trail, left it there, and he took me back to the trail at Rt 103 with a stop for lunch.