Rising from the spine of the Green Mountains, Camel’s Hump is home to scenic views, a wilderness feel with its undeveloped summit, and choose-you-own-adventure hiking options. The mountain’s proximity to more populated areas like Burlington and Waterbury make it a popular and well-hiked destination, and its distinct peak provides the iconic background for the smaller towns like Richmond, Huntington, and Duxbury that surround it. We like to affectionately think of Camel’s Hump as the mountain in our backyard. We asked the Long Trail hiking community on Instagram and on Facebook in the GMC Long Trail Hiking and Hiking in Vermont groups to share what this mountain means to them. Here’s what they had to say:
Growing up in Chittenden County, Camel’s Hump has always been a part of my life. I’ve had hundreds of hikes to the summit with friends, family, and by myself throughout the years. When my daughters Shea and Rowan were each 6 weeks old, they had their first ascent to the top on my back.
In my 50th birth year I backpacked the Long Trail with friends and family joining me along the way. The trail directly north and south of Camel’s Hump were meeting spots where trail magic occurred for me.
Last year, during my 60th birth year, I decided to hike Camel’s Hump at least once a month. Again, I did this with family, friends or solo. During mud season I went the first week of April and the last week of May. What a difference in the state of the trail! Meeting people along the way and telling them about this goal was really fun. Some people loved it, others thought I was crazy to hike in deep snow. ALWAYS at the top, a shot of Fireball would occur to celebrate making it to the top that month. A member of the UVM ski team (who kindly said NO to the offer of this tasty liquid) even commented about it on her social media account.
My kitchen is an ode to this beloved mountain with artwork that I’ve made and from my daughters.
For me, Camel’s Hump has been a place I go to for joy, for comfort, and for celebrations. It’s my favorite mountain. I love introducing people to Camel’s Hump and I always hike it with enthusiasm, snacks, and of course Fireball!
– Sylvie Vidrine
I started regularly hiking Camel’s Hump in the summer of 2020 after my first sunrise hike. Taking the Burrows Trail up early one morning, I reached the summit in time for sunrise and I was rewarded with an incredible view—the most dramatic sunrise I’d seen since watching the sun break over the ocean horizon. I was hooked! I decided to try for at least one sunrise or sunset hike a month and quickly surpassed that goal, completing 36 on Camel’s Hump by August 2021.
Now, I’ve made over 150 trips up the mountain, hiking every trail. My favorite loop is Forest City to Long Trail and back down Burrows. It’s been amazing to witness the transformation of the Burrows Trail since the project began; huge thanks to the GMC and trail crews for their hard work. While winter is my favorite season on the mountain, the views and trails are incredible year-round. I feel incredibly lucky to hike this mountain so often.
– Jon Rock
It is my absolute favorite mountain – I actually have its profile tattooed on my arm! I have climbed it probably hundreds of times and it helped me get through the pandemic when I was a hospice social worker, taking care of folks dying of Covid. I have hiked it in every season and I’ve hula hooped and done handstands at the top!
– CarrieRae Shamel
I live in Richmond and spend many days hiking during all seasons. My favorite time to hike is winter! These shots were from a sunrise hike with ice dippers last fall, and then we went in Huntington River. We love the trails! My favorite spot is just as you come out to first lookout. It always makes me smile!
– Donna Ewald
My love for Camels Hump is REAL! I’m actually headed there tomorrow morning for a sunrise hike. I feel so lucky to have this mountain in my larger backyard.
– Roxanne Gignoux
I’m an avid hiker who lives in Huntington. I love that this mountain is so distinct that it has become the landmark by which I orient myself in Vermont. The Hump, for me, is home.
If I’m on Route 2 heading west, I spot it in Groton and I think, “Good, I’ll be there in an hour.” I’ve seen it from the summit of Burke Mountain and the fire tower on Spruce Mountain in Plainfield. If the day is clear enough, you can see it from the coast of New York. I’ve even had the delight of seeing it from the side of Mt. Washington at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Lake of the Clouds hut. They have a guide to what peaks are on the horizon, and sure enough, there was my Camel’s Hump 88 miles away.
It’s no wonder so many logos borrow the silhouette of Camel’s Hump. Once you see it, you’ll never mistake it for any other Mountain. And for me, it’s my backyard.
– Steven Ragno
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