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Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

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The Cabins of Bolton Valley

March 25, 2016 by Alicia DiCocco 2 Comments

Bolton_Lodge_1935_DeanThere has been a lot of excitement surrounding the renovation of Bolton Lodge and Bryant Cabin, both located in Bolton Valley. We are working with several partners including Vermont Land Trust, Friends of Bolton Valley Nordic & Backcountry, the Catamount Trail Association, and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation to restore these historic structures. The amount of community support behind this project has been wonderful, especially in the Bolton area. In February, Green Mountain Club volunteers hosted a ski race and auction fundraiser at Bolton Valley to support the renovations and in March we celebrated of the protection of Bolton Valley Nordic & Backcountry with a day of skiing and snowshoeing on area trails.

May_2012 photo of Bryant Cabin
Restoration of these historic cabins are an important part of the Green Mountain Club’s effort to bring hiking back to the Bolton area. We are in the final stages of fundraising for the cabin restorations with over $15,000 left to raise. The total project is anticipated to cost upwards of $100,000 and will involve replacing roofs, patching walls, new wood stoves, new staircases, new composting privies (outhouses), and an incredible amount of professional and volunteer labor. Future plans include improving side trails in the area to make the cabins more accessible. When restored, both cabins will be available for overnight use for a fee. Work on this project will begin in July, 2016.

Recently, our Executive Director, Michael DeBonis, wrote a story about the history of the cabins and the importance of the renovation project in the Burlington Free Press’ History Space:

The Long Trail News of December 1928 included a vivid description of the new lodge: “Probably the best constructed and most inviting camp yet built on the trail has just been completed by the Burlington Section. It is designed after the cottages of Wales and Ireland, four feet of cobble stone at the base, white stucco above, and a four-sided roof with round corners. Red and black shingles, trimmed irregularly, give the effect of a thatched roof. Green on the door and window frames adds a bright touch. The interior measures 15 by 25 feet, with bunks for twelve. The floor consists of flat stones set in cement. It is warranted porcupine proof. The view from the front is of surpassing beauty, with Couching Lion (Camels Hump) in the center of the picture. A few yards away is a spring, and a little farther the tumultuous Joiner Brook.”

We hope you enjoy the article and we are so grateful to all of our partners and supporters who are making this project possible. If you are interested, you can donate and be part of this historic project.

Filed Under: Camps, News

Trackbacks

  1. Bryant Camp has Reopened! - Green Mountain Club says:
    January 19, 2017 at 11:55 am

    […] On January 13, 2017, we celebrated the reopening of Bryant Camp, a historic cabin in Bolton Valley. […]

    Reply
  2. GMC Camps Program Wraps Up Successful First Season of Managing Bolton Valley Cabins - Green Mountain Club says:
    January 23, 2019 at 10:13 am

    […] The Green Mountain Club has wrapped up its first full winter season of managing Bolton Lodge and Bryant Camp for public rental, a long-realized goal since both cabins were brought under public ownership in 2013 as part of a 1,161-acre conservation effort lead by Friends of Bolton Nordic & Backcountry and the Vermont Land Trust.  “It’s wonderful to be able to offer these important backcountry recreation resources,” says Green Mountain Club President John Page.  “These cabins not only provide unparalleled backcountry recreation opportunities but are historic structures that are an important part of the history of the Long Trail and skiing in Bolton Valley.” […]

    Reply

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Ask a Science Teacher: Why is the Long Trail so Muddy?

March 27, 2023

Vermont — and especially the Long Trail — is known for being sort of muddy. We even have an official fifth season, "mud season." Why is Vermont (sometimes known as "Vermud") and the Long Trail so muddy? Why is the Long Trail so muddy? To answer, we asked Joe Bahr, newly minted author of the … Read more

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Mission

The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

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