Green Mountain Club

Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

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Trail Updates

The Green Mountain Club periodically updates this page with trail conditions and reports. We encourage hikers to share their trail observances with the Club either by contacting our Visitor Center or filling out the form below. Please be aware that all such trail updates sent to the Club may be used and publicized on this page with the source cited.

GMC also posts conditions reports frequently in our Facebook Group.

Trail Changes & Closures

COVID-19 and the Long Trail

Trails on the Long Trail System are open for hiking beginning May 22. However, it’s not as simple as that statement. With both a late snowpack and COVID-19 as dominant concerns this hiking season, we are asking hikers to take a few extra precautions to both protect public health and protect the public resource of our beautiful trails.

To protect public health, shelters and privies on the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail in Vermont are closed. Trail managers are developing guidelines for the use of backcountry facilities and hope to open some facilities in a reduced capacity by June 26. GMC is encouraging day hikes only for now, but dispersed and primitive camping is allowed at some locations on the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail in Vermont.

Please read our hiking season blog for the latest information on trail conditions (including photos) and COVID-19 trail etiquette.

Our thru-hiker FAQ has also been updated.

Please stay up to date with GMC’s COVID-19 response here.

Seasonal roads closing for winter

Many seasonal roads close for the winter, including several that cross the Long Trail. You can check the status of a specific road ahead of time using the websites below.
Vermont road conditions and closures: https://newengland511.org/
US Forest Service road conditions and closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gmfl/conditions/?cid=FSEPRD733159
.

Shooting Star Shelter pump removed for winter

The water source pump at Shooting Star Shelter has been removed for the winter to prevent freezing. It will be re-installed in early spring.

AT/LT Rootville Bridge Closed

GMNF has closed the AT/LT Rootville Bridge at the end of Rootville Road at the Lye Brook Wilderness Boundary due to a failed abutment.  An inspection of the structure will determine a long-term solution by the end of summer.  In the meantime, this is a fairly easy rock hop with steep scrambles on the banks on both sides of the stream.

Black Bear Activity

Forest Service officials announced July 24, 2019, that they are implementing a Forest Order for the entire Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) geared toward minimizing black bear and human encounters and interactions. The order specifies proper food storage and prohibits leaving food, or refuse on National Forest system lands in Vermont. The Order was issued to provide for visitor safety and the conservation of bears.  See more information in the press release.

The following acts are prohibited on the Green Mountain National Forest:

  1. Except while being consumed, all food, food containers and refuse shall be stored in a closed motor vehicle or suspended at least twelve (12) feet above the ground and not less than six (6) feet horizontally from any object. Bear boxes and bear canisters designed specifically for food and/or refuse storage are acceptable.
  2. All refuse containing food materials or containers shall be deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose, removed from the Green Mountain National Forest to be disposed of properly, or stored in the manner prescribed for food in #1 above (36 CFR 261.58(cc)).

We have had many questions about whether Ursacks are allowed with the GMNF order.  Ursacks are currently acceptable under the Food Storage Closure Order, but as with any newer device or technology, they could be unacceptable in the future if GMNF sees issues with them. We recommend that they be used in conjunction with the odor-proof OPSaks recommended by Ursack.

More info.

Forest City Trail Bridge Closed

As of Fall 2019, the Forest City Trail bridge is closed.  Fording the stream is possible.  Alternative access to the Forest City Trail is via stream crossing or via the Burrows-Forest City Connecter Trail accessed at the Burrows Trailhead parking area.  Plan on this bridge being closed for at least a year as we explore replacement options with VT FPR.

East Dorset Trail

The East Dorset Trail is currently closed.  Trail damage occurred during a heavy rain event in April 2019. The East Dorset Trail took a heavy hit and is completely washed out and impassable about 0.2 miles in from the Forest Service boundary. The river braided and took out a large section of trail and left deep, fast-flowing water in its place. The damage still needs to be further assessed.  See the Forest Service Alert.

(last updated 12/18/2020)


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Skiing trails at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, are encompassed by Vermont's Black history

An Outdoor Visit to Vermont’s Black History

February 25, 2021

Did you know that Vermont was the first state to ban slavery, doing so in its 1777 Constitution? Despite being an early advocate of abolition, it’s not inconceivable that this majority White state—with its 94 percent Caucasian population—may not be the most attractive to newcomers of color. It’s … Read more

COVID-19 Response Virtual Workshops & Events Doante to the Resilience Fund Hike Planning Digital Maps GMC Membership

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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Connect

4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677
802.244.7037 | Email GMC

The Visitor Center is closed until further notice. Please call or email with any hiking questions.

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