OUTDOOR AWARENESS

The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont state line to the Canadian border, crossing Vermont’s highest peaks.

Although the Long Trail is known as Vermont’s “footpath in the wilderness,” its character may more accurately be described as backcountry. On its way to Canada, this “footpath in the wilderness” climbs rugged peaks and passes pristine ponds, alpine sedge, hardwood forests, and swift streams. It is steep in places, muddy in others, and rugged in most. Novice and expert alike will enjoy the varied terrain of the trail as it passes through the heart of Vermont.

Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States. The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border as it crosses Vermont’s highest peaks. It was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail, which coincides with the Long Trail for 100 miles in the southern third of the state. --Green Mountain Club

The book Classic Treks, by Bulfinch provided me my first ambition for hiking the Long Trail. For years, I planned on completing the trail. I used the breakdown from Classic Treks.

D1, Williamstown, VT Railroad to Congdon Camp : 13.5 mi
D2, Congdom Camp to Stony Springs Shelter : 21.5 mi
D3, Story Spring Shelter to Bromley Camp : 19 mi
D4, Bromley Camp to Greenwall Shelter : 23.5 mi
D5, Greenwall Shelter to Long Trail Inn : 23 mi
D6, Long Trail Inn to Sunrise Shelter : 19 mi
D7, Sunrise Shelter to Cooley Glen Shelter : 23 mi
D8, Cooley Glen Shelter to Birch Glen Camp : 19 mi
D9, Birch Glen Camp to Gorham Lodge : 11 mi
D10, Gorham Lodge to Taylor Lodge : 22 mi
D11, Taylor Lodge to French Camp (Bear Hollow) : 21 mi
D12, French Camp to Ritterbusch Camp (Spruce Ledge) : 22 mi
D13, Ritterbusch Camp to Laura Woodward : 23 mi
D14, Laura Woodward to Journey End : 9 mi

Day One went off perfectly. Although I originally wanted to take the Pine Cobble Trail from Williamsburg, MA, I became persuaded to take the Appalachian Trail near North Adams. Learning later that the area received almost a full week of rain, the trails were over-saturated with water, resulting in large, continuous mud pools and patches throughout the trail. I started at 8:30am, and reached Congdon Shelter at 4:00pm, a total of 14 miles. The distance and exertion felt good. I enjoyed an adequate meal. Considering I was taking food for my entire 14 day trip, I was limited by the amount of food I could take. The Congdon Shelter was very nice. It included a table and bunk beds. However, the following day I would need to travel 23 miles. My main limiting factor was daylight. As a result, I felt that I would use the entire day to see how far I could get.

Day Two started at 5:15am, and after eating and packing, I left at 6:20am. I decided to pick up my pace, use the full day, and see how far I could go. Very quickly, I was pleased that I didn't choose to go farther the first day. After leaving Congdon Shelter, the trail gained elevation. Although Harmon Hill was excellent, it led to one of the more physically challenging portions of the trail. In order to cross Vermont-9, the Long Trail descends 800' in a half mile. The descent involved stepping down rock after rock. I had already broken a trekking pole the previous day, and this descent put a heavy strain on my body. Eventually, I reached Vermont-9. My enthusiasm was broken by the reversal of now ascending 1000'+ to reach Maple Hill. By 1:30pm, I reached Goddard Shelter, 14 mi from Congdon Shelter. This distance came at a cost. I did not take any sizeable breaks, and pushed by body hard. I still had 9 mi to go. At 3:20pm, I reached Kid Gore Shelter. I hoped to reach Story Spring Shelter at 5:20pm. By 5:40pm, I still didn't see the shelter. It was already getting dark. Although I was certain I passed the shelter, I finally reached Story Spring Shelter at 5:50pm. I was wet, cold, hungry, and tired. Quickly, I consumed a hot dinner, got into dry clothes, and laid in my sleeping bag. My body was very, very sore. My plan would need to change. I could not consistently complete 20+mi days.

Day Three would involve a short 10 mi hike to Stratton Pond Shelter. The reality of not completing the Long Trail was put into motion. I slept in a little later, and calmly put my gear together for a series of shorter days on the trail. At 10 am, I completed 3.6 mi and was at the Stratton-Arlington Rd. The lateral ligaments in my right knee were giving me trouble. I was wincing at going up and down. Seeing the trailhead at Stratton-Arlington, made me appreciate the access and communication. Now would be the most opportune time to exfile from the Green Mountains. Although I had mobile phone access, I could not locate a service to evacuate me from the trailhead. After some thought, I elected to hike west on the Stratton-Arlington Road. I hoped to reach US-7, and then obtain livery to Bennington, VT. I hiked for 6+ mi, and was later offered a ride to the highway. Once at the highway, I obtained a taxi ride to Bennington.

It required 4-5 days to recover from the strain of this trip. It was a good reminder to know your body, and make smart choices on what you can achieve. It was also a reminder to know when to turnaround. An extraction in the backcountry would have been extremely difficult and inconvenient for many people. In the future, I would like to complete the Long Trail through multiple multi-day excursions.