Green Mountain Club

Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

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Staff Favorite Summer Hikes

July 13, 2017 by Kristin McLane 2 Comments

What’s your favorite summer hike in Vermont?  There are so many to choose from!  Here are a few GMC staff favorites to get you started:

Monroe Skyline

Rob Rives, Education & Volunteer Coordinator

For cold-weather enthusiasts like myself, summer is the time to escape the valleys when heat and humidity become an oppressive blanket. My mind turns to high-elevation ridges where I can feel a stiff breeze, bask in cool mountain air, and gaze down at all of my warm-weather friends catching rays in their backyards. The section of the Long Trail from Appalachian Gap to Lincoln Gap, otherwise known as the southern half of the Monroe Skyline, is my go-to: from either direction, you will climb steeply into boreal forest and once on the ridge you can glide from open summit to open summit without ever going too low. Just seeing the epic collection of bumper stickers on the guardrail at Appalachian Gap is reason enough to visit this section of the Long Trail and leave the lowlands for a while.

Camel’s Hump

Lorne Currier, Group Outreach Specialist

After a long summer day of paddling, climbing, or barbecuing, there’s no better way to end a perfect Vermont day than with a sunset hike to the summit of Camel’s Hump. I’m preferential to the Burrows Trail, a steady yet moderate 2.1 miles to the hut clearing. A quick but steep 0.3 miles south on the Long Trail puts you atop the rocky summit. Standing tall at 4,083’, Camel’s Hump is one of three summits in Vermont that hosts the rare alpine vegetation found at high elevations. The sunset has a vivid effect on these beautiful plants and the unobstructed view is a great place to see the colorful sky over Lake Champlain.  Don’t forget to always carry the Ten Essentials for your hike and to do the “Rock Walk” while in the Alpine zone.

Hellbrook/Canyon/Long Trail Loop

Lenny Crisostomo, Database Manager

My favorite summer hike is a loop hike on the Mount Mansfield ridgeline. I like to park at 108 and take the Hellbrook Trail over the Adams Apple, then the Long Trail south over the Chin to the Subway Trail to the Canyon North Extension\Canyon North Trail\Canyon Trail, back to the Long Trail, north to the Profanity Trail to the Long Trail back to 108, where I walk up the road to the Hellbrook parking.  This is a challenging yet interesting hike with many views. The Hellbrook Trail goes straight up 2,187′ in 1.5 miles, frequently on precipitous ledges, through woods with several views of the cliffs on Smugglers’ Notch.  The Subway and Canyon Trails offer solitude and spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks while going over, under, and through boulders, caves, and crevices, with assistance from an occasional ladder. This roughly 7-mile round trip hike will keep you on your toes. On the way back, I always stop at Bingham Falls to cool off with a swim.

Filed Under: Hiking, Trail

Comments

  1. Justina Kling says

    December 14, 2017 at 6:53 am

    Hi,
    The place Monroe Skyline is one of my favorite one. I would like to go there another time.

    Reply
  2. Jim says

    July 10, 2018 at 9:05 am

    Did this hike yesterday. Awesome! Very challenging but so worth it.

    Reply

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Camel’s Hump: Hiker Reflections on Their Backyard Mountain

June 26, 2025

Rising from the spine of the Green Mountains, Camel's Hump is home to scenic views, a wilderness feel with its undeveloped summit, and choose-you-own-adventure hiking options. The mountain's proximity to more populated areas like Burlington and Waterbury make it a popular and well-hiked destination, … 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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Join a guided hike on the Short Trail this summer!

Join the Green Mountain Club’s Visitor Services Manager, Emily Mosher, for a hike on the Short Trail! Learn more about hiking in Vermont, the Long Trail and the Green Mountain Club, and tips to have a successful hike as we explore the 0.5 mile loop at GMC’s headquarters building in Waterbury Center. These hikes are open to hikers of all ages, from beginner day hiker to seasoned backpacker. Hikes take place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am, and on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 2pm. Allow about an hour with plenty of stops to explore.

Wednesday, July 16
Tuesday, July 22

Wednesday, Aug 6
Tuesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 20
Tuesday, August 26
Wednesday, Sept 3

No RSVP necessary; for questions, email [email protected] or call 802-244-7037.