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You Raised $46K for Long Trail Day 2022 (& had a Blast Celebrating it!)

September 12, 2022 by GMC Staff Leave a Comment

Liz Derstine (left) smiles with hikers and GMC staff before leading a hike up Mt. Mansfield on Long Trail Day 2022.
Clockwise from bottom left: Liz Derstine, John Effinger, Chloe Miller, Alicia DiCocco, Angela Hilsman, and Mark Cummings at Barnes Camp. Photo by: Liz Derstine

Trail users from all over the country celebrated the Long Trail this year, along with the success of raising more than $46,000 for its long-term care and protection, on September 10. The celebration, Long Trail Day, concluded a months-long fundraising effort led by community members.

Participants not only enjoyed hikes and trail magic around the state — led by section volunteers and local hiking groups — but also rallied to raise money so that both current and future generations can enjoy the Long Trail. The funds raised support sustainability projects like our work on Camel’s Hump, which is mitigating erosion along the Burrows Trail.

Please be sure to share photos from the day with us! (We love to see everyone having fun outdoors!) You can email them to [email protected] or tag us on Facebook and Instagram, @greenmountainclub.


Long Trail Day Celebrations Around Vermont

This year, hiking community leaders Liz Derstine, State Botanist Bob Popp, Backpacking for Slowpokes, and Queer Hikes led treks from central Vermont, while GMC section volunteers guided hikes around the state alongside handing out trail magic. Here’s what they had to say about Long Trail Day 2022:

John, Liz, and Mark smile at the trailhead before heading south on the Long Trail.
Liz Derstine, a Fastest Known Time record holder, (center) leads a casual hike to the Mt. Mansfield summit for Long Trail Day 2022. Photo by: Angie Hilsman

“Thanks again for inviting me to lead a hike! My small but mighty group had a great time out there!” — Liz Derstine, Long Trail Fastest Known Time record holder.

Hikers summit Mt. Mansfield.
Left: Liz Derstine and Mark Cummings; courtesy: John Effinger. Right: Mark Cummings, John Effinger, and Liz Derstine; courtesy: Mark Cummings.

Queer Hikes participants at Sterling Pond.
Southern New England hiking group, Queer Hikes, led folks up the Sterling Pond Trail with GMC volunteer Brian Williams. Photo courtesy: Mel Thibeault

“Thank you and the Green Mountain Club team for inviting us up to hike. Our group had a fantastic time! [GMC volunteer] Brian was a wonderful lead.” — Mel Thibeault, founder Queer Hikes

Queer Hikes poses at Smugglers Notch.
Queer Hikes depart from Barnes Camp to explore the Sterling Pond Trail. Photo left, courtesy Mel Thibeault; photo right, by Angie Hilsman.

Northeast Kingdom Section members hike to Journey's End.
Northeast Kingdom Section members hike to Journey’s End to celebrate Long Trail Day 2022. Photo courtesy: John Predom

“We celebrated Long Trail Day by hiking from Rt. 105 north to the Canadian Border; then out the Journey’s End Trail for a total distance of 3.9 miles. We had a group of 13 hikers, some members and some non-members. It was a great day!” — John Predom, NEK Section President

NEK Section leads folks to Journey's End, the LT's northern terminal
NEK Section leads folks to Journey’s End, the LT’s northern terminal. Photo left, courtesy John Predom; photo right, courtesy Beth Barnes

Maggie Twitchell, left, founder of Backpacking for Slowpokes, led a hike to Taylor Lodge for Long Trail Day 2022.
Maggie Twitchell, left, founder of Backpacking for Slowpokes, led a hike to Taylor Lodge.

“I was honored to [lead a hike]! Here we are at the Clara Bow Cave. We had a blast and forgot to take pictures!” —Maggie Twitchell, founder of Backpacking for Slowpokes


Porter Knight and Kirsten celebrate Long Trail Day 2022 on the trail.
Porter Knight raised more than $2,800 for Long Trail Day! Courtesy: Porter Knight

“[I] exceeded my goal 😊 I am so grateful for your support. Long Trail Day on Saturday was simply gorgeous! Kirsten Pitts joined me in hiking up Mt Abe. We admired the mossy woods as well as the amazing views.” — Porter Knight


Manchester Section table on Long Trail Day.
The Manchester Section met and greeted hikers on Long Trail Day. Courtesy: Marge Fish

“We had a table in the Rt. 11/30 parking lot and talked to about 40 individuals and in small groups. We also met a large group of hikers from the Putney School.” — Marge Fish, Manchester Section President


Brattleboro Section's Collier Shutter tables at the local farmer's market for Long Trail Day 2022.
Brattleboro Section’s Collier Shutter tables at the local farmer’s market. Courtesy: Bonnie Cramp

Botanist Bob Popp (right) leads an flora tour in Mansfield's alpine region.
State Botanist Bob Popp (right) leads a flora tour in Mansfield’s alpine region. Courtesy: Bob Popp

GMC staff Chloe Miller and Alicia Dicocco table at Barnes Camp Visitor Center on Long Trail Day 2022..
GMC staff Chloe Miller and Alicia DiCocco table at Barnes Camp Visitor Center on Long Trail Day. Photo by: Angie Hilsman

The Burlington Section led a hike to Cantilever Rock.
The Burlington Section led a hike to Cantilever Rock. Courtesy: Nancy McClellan
The Burlington Section led a hike to Cantilever Rock on Long Trail Day 2022. Courtesy: Nancy McClellan
Linda Evans and Susan Tobin represent the Burlington Section at Underhill State Park (left). The section led hikes around the area, like this one to Cantilever Rock (right). Photos courtesy: Nancy McClellan

Thank you to the following businesses for providing snacks and prizes for hikers: Thuja Outdoor Clothing, Athletic Brewing Company, Cabot Cheese, and Owl Energy.

Filed Under: Events, News

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Monthly donor spotlights

Giving Back to the Long Trail: Monthly Donor Spotlights

January 20, 2023

Vermont’s mountains are loved for many different reasons: formative youth experiences, core memories with family, camaraderie and friendships developed on trail, awe and appreciation for nature and its mental and physical benefits. To improve these experiences, GMC relies on the support of members … 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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