Overview of Long Trail –
The United States has always encouraged tourists and hikers to try adventures on the different trails that it has developed. Long Trail is one of the oldest hiking trails in the United States among all of them.
This trail dates back to 1910 and was constructed between 1910 to 1930 by the Green Mountain Club. It is the founder, protector, sponsor, and defender of this trail & is recognized by the State Legislator to own complete responsibility for the maintenance of the trail.
History of the Long Trail –
The long trail history starts with James P. Taylor, assistant headmaster at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River. With 25 other members, he met Van Ness House in Burlington and impacted the construction work of Long Trail in 1911.
His mission was to “make Vermont Mountains play a bigger part in the life of people by protecting & maintaining the Long Trail system and fostering Vermont’s hiking trails and mountains”.
Best Sections to Hike on the Long Trail –
As we all know different parts of the trail can give experience of different long trail wildlife to hikers. The entire route of Long Trail is amazing and well-indicated with white blazes along, which makes navigation an easier job. This route starts at the southern terminus of Massachusetts and leads the hikers to heavy woods.
By passing the 2 beaver ponds fire towers of 3758 feet Glastenbury Mountain (at approximately 28.5 miles) and 3940 feet Stratton Mountain (at approximately 44.5 miles), hikers can experience stunning sunrise & sunset views. On their way, hikers can find 2 top campsites at 9.6 miles before moving to the top.
Down the stretch, you will find glassy Stratton Pond which is clear enough to show the images of sky, trees, and Lye Brook Wilderness around, leaving the most scenic experience. Then, hikers can again climb to Bromley Mountain at 57.4 miles. Hikers can also have camping here so that they can witness ski lifts from their tents.
The final destinations of this trail are Peru Peak Wilderness, Griffith Lake, Baker Peak, Little Rock Pond, Clarendon Gorge Pond, Little Killington, Great Cliff, Mount Horrid, Gillespie Peak, Mount Mansfield, Carleton Mountain, and the Canadian border.
Gear and Preparation for Long Trail Hike –
If one wants to know what to pack for a long trail, the Green Mountain Club, which is the caretaker & protector of this trail, has a guidebook that can help hikers to know about the trail in detail. For the Long Trail hike, the things that matter are not only how long does it take to cover long trail but also gearing up for it properly.
There exist 4 important gears that hikers need compulsorily for the Long Trail hike. These things are –
- A backpack,
- A sleeping quilt or bag,
- A tent, &
- A hammock
As far as clothes are concerned, hikers need to carry suitable ones according to the time of the year they want to visit. For beginners, carrying dry socks, rain pants, durable clothing that protects from rain, and a strong towel is crucial.
Carrying food amount depends on the requirements of individuals. There exist plenty of small towns on the trail so resupplies will not be a hurdle as long as you have enough supplies to reach there comfortably.
Challenges faced during the Long Trail Hike –
Long Trail poses the climate challenge for the hikes. The unpredictable rain and mud along the trail pose both challenges and risks together. Other challenges for the hikers are the elevation gain and loss. This trail consists of many mountains, plain areas, and frequent ups & downs on the way. These challenges may not be visible on the long trail map but can be experienced personally on the trail.
For the regular thru-hikers, traveling along all the iconic places of long trail may sometimes become tiring yet enjoyable. The experience of hiking at the Long Trail is very memorable equally for the day, overnight, and thru-hikers.
Last but not least, safety from bears is a very important challenge. Since the first 100 miles of Long Trail overlap with the Appalachian Trail, it is expected that the hikers store ‘smellables’ in a bear canister. According to the trail time to travel, people can even come across black bears, though not very notorious. Hikers need to keep their distance if they find a bear so that they protect themselves and their food from getting snatched by these black bears.
Permits and Regulations for Hiking the Long Trail –
There are no specific long trail permits and permissions required but some shelter points will charge fees for the overnight camping to the hikers. These shelters are run by Green Mountain Club and need maintenance charges. The Green Mountain Club also runs a certification program for end-to-end hikers which rewards hikers with a certificate, a patch, and a listing in Long Trail news as successful completers of the trail.
Regulations on the long trail location remain the same in general, just like other trail sites because Leave No Trace is the point not to forget for hikers on this trail. Also, keeping distance from wildlife is advisable and self-discipline among the hikers & fellow hikers is the most important factor to have a non-chaotic & memorable trail hike for sure.
Planning the Long Trail Hike –
Planning the Long Trail hike needs similar preparation just like the other trail hikes. Getting as much information as possible is the key to the success of any trail and the same applies to the Long Trail. The planning of Long Trail must begin with the choice of the season to visit. By hiking a long trail from April to late May would be a great deal.
Also, during early June, the snow ridgelines may still be intact and that is why carrying microspikes is important. The next thing to check is the type of hike that you want to select. According to the long trail geographical features and maps & other factors like day hikes, overnight hikes, and thru-hikes define which type of hike you should select.
Last but not least, decide how to prepare for the long trail and things to carry on the long trail hike. What you should carry with you depends on the type of your hike. For thru-hiking, you will need more food items which include healthy & nutritious snacks and plenty of water stock. Of course, there are a lot of small towns along the way to help you get the initial foods and restock your existing ones. So, taking breaks from time to time for restocking is crucial and not to be ignored at all.
Does Long Trail have a Pet-Friendly Nature?
People who have an equal amount of love for nature, as well as pets, may sometimes experience grave confusion in choosing between them. For going on hikes, they have to leave their pets behind, while for taking care of their pets, they have to leave behind hiking.
However, this is not the case with pet-friendly hiking experiences on long trail and this will impress pet lovers a lot. Pet owners can carry their pets on the trail for hiking to enjoy it to the fullest without worrying about their left-behind pets (the only condition is the pets should be healthy and fit). This is undoubtedly a treat for all the pet lovers who are also aspirational hikers. So, Long Trail is one of the best trail options for such pet lovers for sure.
Frequently Asked Questions –
- How much time is required for a hiker to complete a Long Trail hike?
On average, the hikers need 20-30 days to complete the Long Trail hike. This is considering there is no obstruction due to any extreme weather conditions. However, if any weather change or natural emergency occurs, then the time required to complete it may vary.
- Where is Long Trail located and how much is its length?
The answer to where is the long trail located in Vermont. It starts from Massachusetts and ends at Vermont on the Canada-United States border.
- What is the best time to visit the Long Trail?
The best season or time to visit the Long Trail is the late summer or fall season. During the months of late June to mid-October, the snow melts and wildflowers start blooming. Also, the temperatures are warmer without too much disturbance which 3accelerates the hiking process.
- Do visitors need permits to hike Long Trail?
There is no permit fee to access the Long Trail. Day-use entry fees and horse fees are applicable when entering North Shore, and Lake San Antonio. Also, some shelter places may charge fees for the overnight stay.
- What are the main challenges on the Long Trail hike?
Challenges that wait for the hikers on the Long Trail hike are: lack of camp posts, rain, mud, black flies & mosquitoes (based on season), and fewer opportunities to cruise.
Conclusion –
The Long Trail, being the oldest trail in the United States is considered the pioneer of the trail culture. It has a length of 272 miles spread from Massachusetts to Vermont in the United States to Canada border.
Undoubtedly, this trail has a lot of mountain ridges and may make the hike sometimes difficult to complete in thru-hiking. However, understanding its power and hiking it rightly can bring amazing experience to both the beginner as well as professional hikers for sure.
