Green Mountain Club

Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

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Clarendon Gorge Bridge Repaired Thanks to Your Memberships & Donations

September 15, 2021 by GMC Staff 3 Comments

Staff repair bridge from a steel basket.
Staff repair Clarendon Gorge Bridge from a suspended, steel basket.

Wood is a sustainable resource that we use to build puncheon (boardwalk), shelters, privies (outhouses), and bridges. These structures make it possible for hikers to use and enjoy the 272-mile Long Trail. Eventually though, the wood components rot, and our trail and construction crews need to perform maintenance before it becomes problematic or hazardous.

Thankfully, we have you and your support to maintain the infrastructure of the Long Trail. Just this summer, our construction crew replaced planks of rotting wood on the 30-foot suspension bridge on the Long Trail in Clarendon, making it possible for hikers to safely cross over Clarendon Gorge. This was highly technical work. GMC professionals set up multiple rigging systems to safely suspend workers and materials over the gorge in a steel basket. The basket travels by pulley along a wire rope, allowing safe access to the rotten, outer lying bridge components.

Clarendon Gorge Bridge was built in 1974 to replace a similar bridge that was swept away in a flood the year prior. It was last repaired in 2008; the work done this summer should last at least 20 years. Suspension bridges like this are less common on the Long Trail System because they are a more complex design, generally requiring a higher degree of engineering.

Thanks to your membership dues and donations, we were able to make this project happen. Now hikers will enjoy crossing Clarendon Gorge Bridge for decades.

If you want to cross the Clarendon Gorge Bridge and check out the work you made possible, we recommend this two-mile, roundtrip hike to the Swinging Bridge swim hole. It’s perfect for stretching your legs, admiring the bridge, and even taking a quick dip.

Crew replace the rotten planks with new ones.
Crew replace the rotten planks with new ones.
The outer lying, rotten planks are exposed.
Rotten, outer lying, bridge components need to be replaced.
Replaced planks on Clarendon Gorge Bridge.
Replaced planks on Clarendon Gorge Bridge.

Filed Under: News, Trail

Comments

  1. pam Kerstner says

    September 16, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    I remember the young man who lost his life while crossing this river. He stayed overnight in our garage the night before. The long trail went right though our property. Thank you so much for all you do to keep the trail in tip top shape.

    Reply
    • Welles Lobb says

      February 21, 2022 at 11:08 am

      Pam: The young man who lost his life at the gorge in 1973, Bob Brugmann, was my best friend. I am writing a book about our friendship. Any chance we can talk? Thank you, Welles Lobb, Allentown, PA.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Help Support the Busy Trail Season Ahead - Green Mountain Club says:
    December 30, 2021 at 11:13 am

    […] work accomplished, thanks to your support: seven new privies; reconstruction of multiple shelters; bridge repairs; and major trail work on the northern Long Trail, around Stratton Pond, and at Bolton Mountain. I […]

    Reply

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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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