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The Eclipse in Vermont, Viewed by GMC’s Hiking Community

April 12, 2024 by Lily LaRegina Leave a Comment

Whether you live in the eclipse’s path of totality or traveled to enjoy it with us, we hope you had a safe, fun, and spectacular viewing experience for this truly remarkable celestial event.

We count ourselves lucky to have been in the Path of Totality, getting to witness the special and breathtaking few minutes when the moon blocked out the sun. We also count ourselves lucky to have a caring hiking community. Thank you for helping us spread awareness of mud season closures and viewing guidance leading up to the eclipse.

Share photos and stories from your eclipse day with us! Tag the GMC account on Facebook or Instagram or email your photos to [email protected].

See how some members of the GMC hiking community experienced the eclipse day and totality.

Burlington

Communications Manager Chloe Miller and Communications Coordinator Lily LaRegina both spent the afternoon with thousands of other eclipse watchers on Burlington’s waterfront.

Chloe reflected on the experience saying, “I felt lucky to be a Vermonter and live in the path of totality. How special! The weirdest part to me was how the light changed – it didn’t look like sunset light or like it was getting dark, rather everything looked gray  and desaturated. It was eerie and cool!”

Lily enjoyed seeing how many people flocked to the city for the day and getting caught up in the infectious positive energy. “Despite the crowds, everyone was in good spirits and so excited about the eclipse. There was something special about experiencing totality with so many other awestruck strangers, all marveling at the same thing. No photos or videos could have prepared me for what it was actually like.”

Communications Manager Chloe Miller and her boyfriend Spencer Lewis watch the eclipse in Vermont through their eclipse glasses
Communications Manager Chloe Miller and her boyfriend Spencer Lewis watch the eclipse progress through their eclipse glasses at Burlington’s Waterfront Park.
Eclipse watchers point as the moon’s shadow begins to darken the sky over Burlington’s Waterfront Park, photo by Lily LaRegina
The eclipse in Vermont
Thousand of people experience totality together from Burlington’s Waterfront Park, photo by Lily LaRegina

Richmond

Deputy Director Alicia DiCocco and her family celebrated and viewed the eclipse from their own backyard.

“The energy in our house leading up to the 2024 total solar eclipse was big, and so wonderful. Our oldest kids (ages 9 and 7) spent months learning all things eclipse: their school brought in a planetarium, they talked to a “real live astronomer” at the library, and the consumed any available information along the way, often correcting adults about the earth’s distance from the moon and sun. They made sure to practice using their glasses, counting and recounting them to ensure we had enough for everyone, and even made up a game of eclipse tag where you wear your glasses and play tag (not recommended).  

With eclipse cookies in tow, we set up the backyard in Richmond with chairs and blankets as our eclipse theatre and the kids scurried around as they typically would. Once it started and the moon started to make its way between us and the sun, they each had noticeable surges of energy and started running excitedly, yelling things like “It’s starting!”, “It’s really happening!” and “I need to tell the neighbors!”  

Just before the totality, our kids gravitated towards my husband and me, our youngest (age 1) woke up from her nap, and we stood in our yard under the moon’s umbral shadow and shared what I can only describe as a truly majestic three minutes together. A profound beauty and awe that I did not expect (or really understand what all the fuss was about), and an experience that will sit in my heart permanently.”

Hugh, 7, left, and Lane, 9, right, watch the eclipse through personally decorated eclipse glasses in their backyard. Photo by Alicia DiCocco.
Alicia DiCocco and her family share a magical few minutes together under the total eclipse in their backyard.

Addison

Brattleboro Section President Bonnie Haug-Cramp traveled north from Newfane to Dead Creek Wildlife Preserve in Addison.

“We launched our kayaks, paddled out away from the road side crowds, and viewed the eclipse in the path of entirety.  It was perfect.”

The Northeast Kingdom

Members of GMC’s Northeast Kingdom section enjoyed the eclipse from their home turf.

“In the morning we visited Moose Bog to show visitors the area. I thought it might be busy, but was not prepared for the crowds that we saw. Everyone was friendly and excited. We returned to our property in Island Pond to watch the eclipse from the field,” said Northeast Kingdom Section President John Predom.

Watching the eclipse from John’s Island Pond property.
Vermont eclipse
Totality, photo by John Predom

A few members of the Connecticut Section made the trip north to Barton, VT for the occasion.

Section President Jim Robertson shared a few photos from the group’s picturesque viewing location over Wheeler Pond in Barton, VT, “A group of us from the Connecticut Section stayed at Jean Haigh Cabin Sunday and Monday night.  I think the event exceeded all of our expectations”

Totality over Wheeler Pond in Barton, VT. Photo by Jim Robertson.

Shared by the Hiking Community:

Sarah EF on Facebook, totality over the Winooski River from downtown Winooski.
Amanda Resch on Facebook, eclipse watchers at Lake Elmore State Park.
Dan Saxton on Facebook, “dusk” at totality in Craftsbury.

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Make the Most of Hiking Season with a Visit to the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center

May 22, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2025 CONTACT: Chloe Miller, Communications Manager, [email protected], 802-241-8324 Make the Most of Hiking Season with a Visit to the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center Waterbury Center, Vermont – Though the weather may not feel like it, this Friday of … 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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