Long Trail, Vermont - Week 3/Finish
Tuesday, September 27: 5.9 miles
Bamforth Ridge Shelter to Rt 2.
My dad drove up from Alabama to support me for the last week on my hike. He met me at Rt 2. We went down to get my car at the Inn at Long Trail and moved it to the Green Mountain Club headquarters in Waterbury Center.
Wednesday, September 28: 14.9 miles
Rt 2 to Taylor Lodge.
Mount Mansfield in distance
Only one at the shelter
Filtering water for dinner
Thursday, September 29: 8.5 miles
Taylor Lodge to Smuggler's Notch.
Summit Mount Mansfield, tallest mountain in Vermont. Dad drove up to the top to meet me and brought me my trail favorites, chocolate milk and donuts. After a short break I continued on to the peak and to down the steep descent to Smuggler’s Notch. Later Dad took me to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury to celebrate. We camped at a local park that night.
Arctic-Alpine Zone on the East coast is only around 4000ft
Just one of many ladders on the trail
The Forehead on Mount Mansfield. Camel's Hump in the distance
On top of Vermont
Another unique privy with rose petals
Trail closure due to shelter reconstruction
Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury
Flavor Graveyard at Ben and Jerry’s
Friday, September 30: 14.8 miles
Smuggler's Notch to Rt 15.
Sterling Pond
A lot of the ski resorts’ buildings are open to hikers
Saturday, October 1: 6.6 miles
Rt 15 to Codding Hollow Rd.
Maple Syrup tubing across trail
Sunday, October 2: 14.4 miles
Codding Hollow Rd to Rt 118.
Slept in the van at the trailhead.
14.4 miles
This is that rugged Vermont
Footprints crossing the road
Monday, October 3: 16.8 miles
Rt 118 to Rt 242.
10 hours of hiking in the rain.
Spooky bog in the fog
Fall in Vermont
17.2 miles to go
Typical Vermont trail=mud
Tuesday, October 4: 13.2 miles
Rt 242 to Canada border, then to Journey's end TH.
Last day on the trail!
Northern Terminus Sign
Canadian border
Long Trail complete!
Long Trail End-to-Ender
I thoroughly enjoyed my Long Trail hike. Vermont in the Fall was magical. At the beginning of my hike when I would just start out hiking for the day I would get a feeling as if it was Christmas morning. A feeling that I don't get often, of pure bliss. I don't know if it was because I was in Vermont or if it was Fall time or if it was because there was a crispness and chill to the air, but it was like hitting hiker euphoria. However, like all physical challenges, the euphoria didn't last and once my dad arrived to help support me the last week I was a mile machine just focused on putting in miles and getting to Canada. I think a trail that takes 2-3 weeks is the perfect time-frame cause you are out long enough that you enjoy everyday but not too long where you just want to be done. It would be great if I could hike that trail every Fall. I highly recommend the Long Trail to everyone!
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