The End of The Trail – Moments at Journey’s End Monument

Northbound Long Trail hikers have celebrated at the Journey’s End monument, the official northern terminus of the Long Trail at the Vermont-Canadian border, for decades. The monument is maintained by the International Boundary Commission and was likely originally installed in the 1930s.

We asked Long Trail End-to-End hikers from the class of 2022 to submit their photos capturing moments of triumph, comeraderie, and relief. Here are a few, along with what they had to say.

Want to share your photos with the Green Mountain Club? Enter the annual photo contest, now through August 27, or email us anytime at [email protected]!

“The Long Trail was a perfect end to my four years studying at UVM: full of strength, struggle, and beautiful views!” — Anna Lefante

 

Shannon “Leaf” Varley and Luke Miller

Mother and son Shannon “Leaf” Varley and Luke Miller took on the LT as novice backpackers and learned a lot about themselves along the way.

“We had an unforgettable experience hiking the LT over 21 days.”

We did 15 days in August then the final push in two mad long weekend dashes to Waterbury and Smugglers’ Notch in late September, from our home in NYC.” — Nate “Nightlight” Wyeth and John “Mudslide” Wyeth

“My hike was 28 days of beautiful yet perpetually challenging terrain.” — Alan “Legoman” Dwyer, and Abraham Emmanuel Stark (the Lego figure)

 

“I found this trek to not only be beautiful and amazing but healing in my journey through grief.”

“I met really sweet like-minded people. I met one lady and I think of her words almost every day. She told me the saying, ‘If you’re anxious you’re living in the past, if you’re worried you’re living in the future, if you’re content you’re living in the moment.’ I hiked the trail and try to continue to be content and live in the moment.” — Linda “Rambler Strong” Sweeney

“The most important lesson the Long Trail taught me was how little is required to make life so extraordinary.” — John Hansen (right) with buddy Alex “Onepole” Karski

“Recently retired – first item on the bucket list – hike the Long Trail. End to End in one hiking season. So glad I did it. A great experience.” — Mickey Nowak

The beautiful fall colors were worth a few cold nights on the trail!”— Alden “Slippy” Groen, right, pictured with brother Torey “Socks” Groen

“This thru-hike was one of the best experiences of my life!” — Nannette “Ditto” Locke