I’m going to be up in Stowe in between Xmas and new years and wanted to do some winter backpacking. I would love to have a shelter to stay at and have an actual objective to summit. I was looking around and saw Bamforth Ridge Shelter which looked like fun. I couldn’t find much online about it and would love to hear what it’s like (lay out, how sheltered it is, possibility for fire etc). I would also love to hear of any other places in the Stowe area people would recommend for an overnight.

I’ll be starting my thru hike in late May. Would you recommend going the hammock route or the tent route. I know that May and early June has a high chance of still being pretty muddy so I’m trying to factor that into the equation as well (since tent will obviously be on the ground).

Let me know what you guys think!

I'm feeling pretty sad today that I have to be an adult with a job and responsibilities. I would much rather be out on the trail--wet, muddy feet and all. I really miss the camaraderie I found out out there, there's nothing like hanging out with some friendly strangers who share a similar passion.

Anyway, I would love to hear your favorite memories or stories from your thru hike or even day hikes!

Hi there! I’m aware that Taft Lodge, and Butler too are busiest during the summer and there are consistently beds available during the winter.

My question is: does anybody have any experience over the winter holiday period? Is it worth staying away from at times like NYE, etc?

I’m aware obviously of temperatures, comfort, etc. TIA!

Hoping to do a little overnight there in the next week or so!

Hey all, I’m planning on potentially thru hiking the Long Trail next year with a friend. I was wondering if one of us would be able to park our car anywhere in North Troy for about 2 weeks? Worried about getting towed or being in the way of any locals by accident. We plan on leaving a car there and a car at Williamstown. Thank you :)

Hi All:

Just got back from an amazing 4 days on the LT, and itching to go do more. I’ve completed up through Brandon Gap NOBO. ITCHING TO GET BACK OUT THERE.

Historically I pause hiking LT around now, and don’t start again until early July (figuring I pass mud season and black fly season).

I’m really reconsidering trying to get out in early November and curious as to everyone’s thoughts about feasibility for November and when some section hikes are possible in the spring.

I know the reality is “it depends” but curious what you all think or have experienced—good, bad, and ugly.

But does anyone remember two NOBO hikers from this summer named Sailor and Dopa? They were French Canadian brothers, super nice guys. I met them on my last night at the Laura Woodward shelter and we had such a nice time together. Would love to be able to connect with them!

Hi all! I'm planning a potential 5-7 day hike of the Long trail in mid October. Does anyone have any experience hiking around this time?? My current worries are temperature/ potential fall bear activity lol... (tho I may be overthinking it). Thanks!!! :)

Anyone have any advice on how safe it is to leave a car overnight at the Beane Trailhead? Does anyone know of any shuttles/services that can take a hiker from Route 2 trailhead back to Beane on Sunday afternoon?

Hey, anybody have any information on these shelters? Is there area to set up tents nearby? Are they near water sources? Can't find a lot of information/pictures about them. Thanks!

Hey! Seems like there’s potential showers in Vermont this week. If you were going to do a 4 day backpacking trip tomorrow-Friday with about only 5 miles a day, where would you start and finish?

😌

Totally subjective, I know, but if someone were looking for a way to judge their physical fitness for doing the Long Trail, what would you suggest?

I'm planning a NOBO hike of the Long Trail from Rte 4 to the northern terminus, and will have to drive about 3 hours to get to the Rte 4 road crossing. Is there anywhere near Rte 4 that offers long term parking (either paid or unpaid) where I could leave my vehicle during the hike? I anticipate taking about 10 days to do this section of the trail.

I contacted the Inn at the Long Trail and was told they offer free parking at the trailhead across the street, but I am hesitant to leave my car at a trailhead for over a week. I see that the Rutland airport offers free parking as well- is that a feasible place to park for 10ish days? Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Hi friends,

First time, long time. I am planning on an overnight portion of the Long Trail from Lincoln Gap to Camel's Hump.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/vermont/lincolns-gap-to-camels-hump-via-long-trail?u=i&sh=thvrj2

My schedule and cardiovascular system are open to make this trip in 2 days or 3 days.

Where are the best places to sleep on this trail? I will have my tent with me just in case.

Shine On!

Hi all! I’ve been looking into trying a SOBO thru hike of the LT this October, starting sometime within the first week of the month. I know I can expect to be decently cold at night, but I’m just curious if I’ll be fine with predominantly 3-season gear? (Some reference, I currently have a 15° sleeping bag & 4.5R sleeping pad). Also, how comparable is the LT to the sections of the AT in the White Mountains? I live in the Whites & hike them frequently, with the longest continuous section of the AT I’ve done being only 70mi (5 days, Kinsman to Pinkham notch). That & a 2 day Pemi loop is pretty much the extent of my solo backpacking experience so far. Is this unrealistic to try? Honestly, any thoughts, concerns & feedback from anyone who’s done sections during this time of year/at all would be really helpful:)

Hello, I plan on hiking end to end on the Long Trail next summer. What are some good shakedown hikes, that would be around 2 to 3 nights, within the area? (Or further west into the Adirondacks) Thanks! All suggestions are helpful.

Hello, I plan on hiking the Long Trail next July after I graduate from high school. I've got no family or friends who are interested in pursuing such a goal, are there any resources as to where I can find other people to group up with, atleast near the beginning? I'm new to longer distance hiking, and I'd rather not start alone. Thanks!

Good morning,

My wife and I are considering hiking portions of the Long Trail, inn-to-inn format. I've got questions about distances. When I map the distance from Bennington to Rutland, on foot, I get 70 miles. However, when I reference the larger map as a whole, I see that that portion is 86 miles. For my wife and I, that's an entire stage.

With that in mind, these are the stages I'm looking at:

Bennington

Arlington

Manchester Center

Danby

Rutland

Killington

Doable? I know lodging in some places is an issue; we can work around that.

Heading out on my first thru attempt in about a week. I’m curious what your favorite stops along the way were? Maybe it’s a don’t miss shelter/hostel, a great in town meal, a special place to see a sunrise/sunset or somewhere to just hang out for a bit. What advice can you offer from your trip that you wouldn’t want another hiker want to miss? So excited! Many thanks in advance!

Hey y'all! Wondering what people do with their water bottles that have drink mixes in them at night. I have a bear vault for food but realized I plan to mix Liquid IV in one of my 1L SmartWater bottles and it doesn't fit in the bear vault. Is it recommended I just stash it near where I stash the bear vault? Thanks!!

Hello good people. I'm going to be visiting Keene during the first week of October, and I want to spend a couple of days on the LT. My concern is that I tend to get a little freaked out sleeping in a tent if I'm the only one at a campsite. Looking at the map, presumably if I start near Route 9, and hike for the day, I will get to Goddard or Kid Gore. If I'm hiking midweek, what are the chances that there will be someone else spending the night there? Will the chances be greater on the weekend? If I hike a different southern section, would that change my chances of having a neighbor or two?

Thanks!

I've never hiked the LT, but I'd like to do a 2-3 day hike sometime within the next 2-4 weeks. I'm thinking I'd like to park somewhere near the trail where I can leave my car safely, hike in either direction, hammock camp, and turn around. I'm also open to parking somewhere and then shuttling to somewhere else and then hiking back to where my car is.

I'm coming from Cape Cod, and ideally would not drive beyond mid-Vermont.

Also, is it reasonable to expect to be able to hammock camp, dispersed camping style?

I'd really appreciate any suggestions, thank you!

I’m starting my NoBo thru hike tentatively on Sept. 5th. I’d like to leave my car at the end so that whenever I finish I can just drive home from there. Can you park at the trailhead for the access trail (is it allowed;is it safe) or if not is there somewhere close that is a good place to leave it?

I'm hiking end-to-end in September and I'm wondering which sleeping bag to take. I have a 30 degree bag and a 16 degree bag. I have a neo-air four season sleeping pad.

Hello! I'm planning to section hike SOBO from the AT junction near Rutland all the way down to Williamstown in late september. I'd like some feedback either that my plan to get to the trailhead won't work for whatever reason, that it will, or that there's a better way. Here's what I've got:

1. Day 0 - drive into Williamstown, overnight at motel
2. Day 1 - Green Mountain Express Purple Line from Field Park Traffic Circle to Bennington Green Mountain Express Transit Center (~0900-0930)
3. Day 1 - Vermont Translines from Green Mountain Express Transit Center to Rutland MVRT Transit Center (1400-1530)
4. Day 1 - MVRT Rutland Killington Commuter from MVRT Transit Center to Inn at Long Trail on US4 (1615-1645)
5. Day 1 - Hike in to first campsite (~Tucker Johnson)
6. Day 2 - Begin SOBO

I've been using https://www.longtrailvermont.com/ and the GMC published materials for reference, but the site has some out of date information and the books are light on section hike trail connections.

Other assorted questions:

• Does the Williamstown Motel still offer overnight parking? GMC book suggests that trailhead parking is a bad idea for overnight use.
• Is a 20 degree sleeping bag enough for late september? It seems like it should be especially with layers.
• What's the food storage situation like? Are bear boxes available enough to get away without an Ursack/canister?

I know that seems far off, but I'm already in my second year of a 3.5 year plan to make this feasible.

My first year was literally just physical therapy and walks. My ligaments are all from the Dollar Store, so I started waaaay behind the curve here just learning how to not be injured from daily existence.

This year, I'm hiking more! I've worked my way up from 2-3 mile hikes to 5-12 mile hikes. I'm still incredibly slow with elevation, but my goal is to do Ascutney next month. I've done Mt. Abraham and a few others, and hike almost every weekend, even if it's just something short and local. I have a personal trainer to help with my strength and joint stability, and am up to 4 mile morning walks daily.

2025 is the Year of Backpacking. Figure out gear, develop more than rudimentary camping skills (I've only been car camping), and work on carrying more weight without wrecking myself. I also plan on taking a wilderness first aid course, because the idea of getting injured out there makes me nervous as heck. Plan to do a week long hike somewhere, maybe on the southern half of the LT or elsewhere.

2026: Finesse. Logistics. Whatever health and fitness stuff I'm still most behind on at this point.

August 2026: DO THE THING.

I know it's silly, since a lot of people just up and do it, but this is literally the one thing that's keeping me motivated right now. And I wanted someone out in the world to know about it.