The Green Mountain Club periodically updates this page with trail closures, conditions, and reports on the Long Trail, Appalachian Trail in Vermont, and Northeast Kingdom Trails. We encourage hikers to share their trail observances with the Club either by contacting our Visitor Center or filling out the form at the bottom of this page. 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.
July 2024 Flooding Update – Camel’s Hump Road Reopened (10.15.24)
Vermont saw another summer of severe weather and flooding this summer. Trails saw widespread moderate damage, similar to the damage seen in 2023. Many steep, dirt roads leading to popular trailheads were severely damaged. They have received temporary repair and are open to local/necessary traffic ONLY. Please help maintain the integrity of these temporary repairs by seeking out hikes in unimpacted areas.
Camel’s Hump Road in Duxbury, providing access to the Monroe Trailhead, has been reopened to non-resident traffic as of 10/14/24. Other remaining road closures include Big Basin Road in Fayston (access to Hedgehog Brook Trail) and Bolton Notch Road in Bolton (access to the Duck Brook Trail).
Trail Changes & Closures
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Long Trail Relocations and Closures
Including: Sunset Ridge and Lake Mansfield trail bridges, Seth Warner shelter relocation, Stratton Pond trails relocations, Sunrise shelter relocation
Parking and Trailhead Access Alerts
Including: Lincoln Gap Road seasonal closure; Forest Road 10 Closure in Mt. Tabor
General Guidelines / Seasonal Closures
Including: Trail Magic Guidelines, Food Storage Regulations
Resolved Alerts
Including: Pico Camp
Long Trail Trail and Shelter Relocations
from south to north
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Seth Warner Shelter Relocation
The new Seth Warner shelter is complete and is available for overnight use. It is located two miles north of the old site, at about 5.45 miles north of the Vermont-Massachusetts border and 5.4 miles south of Congdon Shelter. It is down a short spur trail to the west/left. There is a new composting privy and the water source is located north of the shelter on the Long Trail. There is no overflow tenting at Seth Warner, though dispersed camping is allowed following GMNF and Leave No Trace principles (see link). There is currently no bear box, so plan to use a bear canister or a proper bear hang.
The old Seth Warner site, at mile 2.8NB, was deconstructed and decommissioned in Fall 2022. Dispersed camping is permitted in this area, but hikers should not use the old Seth Warner site to allow it to revegetate.
New Seth Warner coordinates: 42.79804, -73.11836
Glastenbury Fire Tower Remains Closed.
Please do not climb or otherwise use the Glastenbury fire tower. Green Mountain National Forest is in the process of securing funding to repair the tower.
Stratton Pond Area Trail Relocations, new Shelter Open
The ongoing LT/AT and Lye Brook Trail around Stratton Pond relocations are complete. Both trails were moved upslope to a more sustainable location to help protect the pond’s ecosystem. Please follow new signage at the site to stay on trail. You can still hike to and enjoy the pond’s edge via a short spur trail to the Willis Ross Clearing.
There is a new shelter available at the Stratton View Site. From the LT/AT junction with the Stratton Pond Trail, follow signs to the Lye Brook Trail. The relocated spur is about .6 miles around the west side of the pond. There is a moldering privy and tenting capacity here as well.
Sunrise Shelter Relocation Complete; Shelter Open.
Sunrise Shelter has moved south. The new 3.5-walled shelter sleeps 14-18, and a moldering privy, constructed in 2022, is located nearby. There is no designated space for tent camping at this site. The water source is a small stream that crosses the LT about 75 feet south of the spur trail.
The new site is about 1.5 miles south of the old site, and .2 miles south of the Long Trail’s intersection with the Chittenden Brook Trail. Its coordinates are: 43.8234832, -72.9459424
Lake Mansfield Trail Bridge Closed
Due to structural concerns, the bridge on the Lake Mansfield Trail is closed as of 8/23/24. The trail remains open, and hikers will have to ford the stream until the bridge is replaced. In times of high water it may be a hazardous crossing. At this time, there is no timeline on the bridge’s replacement.
First Bridge on Sunset Ridge Trail Closed
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreations and Vermont State Parks have closed the footbridge over the first stream crossing on the Sunset Ridge Trail, located adjacent to the trailhead/register box sign-in, as of 11/1/24. Hikers should follow a short orange-flagged detour, directing hikers across the river and back onto the trail. The bridge is marked for early-season replacement in spring 2025.
Parking and Trail Access Closures
Lincoln Gap Road Seasonal Closure
Lincoln Gap Road is closed seasonally to vehicles starting October 15 until spring. There is no vehicle access to the parking lot at the Long Trail crossing at height of the gap. Hikers can access the trail by parking at the bottom of the road closure and walking up the road to the trail. From the Lincoln side, walking the road adds approximately one mile to any round trip hike.
Forest Road 10 Closure
Forest Road 10, which connects Mt. Tabor to Landgrove, also called Danby Mountain Tabor Road, is closed to through traffic through the end of the year. Access to the Long Trail / Appalachian Trail, Old Job, and Little Rock Pond trailheads on FR10 is only available from the Mt. Tabor side, accessed via Route 7. The closure is to replace an aging culvert that had caused washouts and closures in recent years.
Forest Road 273 Closure
Forest Road 273, also known as Prospect Mtn. Road, will be closed through mid-October for a culvert replacement. This closure impacts access to a little-used Long Trail / Appalachian Trail trailhead at the end of FR273.
Winooski River Footbridge, Parking Closure
Parking is not allowed on the south side of the footbridge. The only current parking for the bridge is on Route 2. Map it.
General Guidelines / Seasonal Closures
Notice on “Trail Magic” Activities in the Green Mountain National Forest
Hikers and “trail angels” (volunteers) please be advised that the Green Mountain National Forest has issued new guidance on “trail magic” for hikers and backpackers. This guidance comes in response to an increase in unattended food and beverages, leading to concerns around bear activity and waste disposal.
All “trail magic” — including water, cold drinks, snacks, prepared foods — may only be given out with a volunteer physically present. Any trail magic left unattended will be removed and disposed. This guidance applies to cached food and resupplies as well. Thank you for your helping us keep the Long Trail System litter free and a safe place for humans and wildlife to co-habitat.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
Resolved Alerts
UPDATE: AT/LT Rootville Bridge Replacement now Open
GMC crews rebuilt the AT/LT Rootville Bridge at the end of Rootville Road at the Lye Brook Wilderness Boundary, that had been closed due to a failed abutment. The bridge is now open for hikers.
UPDATE: Camel’s Hump Road in Duxbury reopened to non-resident traffic
Following damage from the July 2024 floods, access to the Monroe Trailhead on the eastern side of Camel’s Hump is restored as of 10/14/24. Drivers may now access the upper and lower Monroe Trailhead lots and the winter lot.
UPDATE: Moss Glen Falls, Stowe Pinnacle and Pinnacle Meadows Parking Access restored, drive with caution.
Driving and parking access has been restored in the Moss Glen Falls, Stowe Pinnacle, and Pinnacle Meadows area. Construction will continue for the remainder of the season, so please drive carefully and proceed with caution. Other hike recommendations in the area include Mount Hunger (access from the Waterbury side only) or Sterling Pond Trail.
UPDATE: The Long Trail through the Winooski Valley Farm Fields is OPEN
Following flooding in December 2023, the Long Trail through the Winooski Valley farm fields is now open. The stiles over electric fences have been replaced, mowing has occurred, and signage now directs hikers into the field rather than the road. Please use care around active agricultural practices and walk around chicken coops if necessary.
UPDATE: Forest City Bridge Construction is Complete
GMC crews finished construction of a new bridge over Brush Brook on the Forest City Trail (.25 miles from the Forest City trailhead in Huntington). The old bridge closed in 2019 due to structural concerns and was removed in November 2023 after sustaining further damage in the July 2023 floods.
UPDATED: Pico Camp Reopened as of 8/16/23
After serving a no-trespass order last summer, the unauthorized occupant of the shelter has not been seen. Note to the hiking public: If you encounter individuals on trail who make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, consider moving on to the next shelter or camping spot. If you are ever in an emergency situation, call 911. General Notices
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