The summer hiking season gave us many great days of hiking and fair weather (and plenty of challenges related to this summer’s floods). Between the ups and downs, GMC’s fourteen membership sections led many successful hikes and outings throughout the summer. Check out a few highlighted trip reports below!
See the full list of GMC membership sections, and join a hike with your local section by checking the Calendar of Events and Outings.
Northeast Kingdom Section
Bald Mountain Work Trip, August 24, 2024
The NEK Section, along with Northwoods Stewardship Center and Vermont Forest, Parks, and Recreation, gathered over 45 volunteers to carry heavy white oak lumber to the summit of Bald Mountain for a firetower restoration project. Luke O’Brien from VFPR was extremely thankful that we were able to carry all the wood to the summit and the pallets out, leaving no trace of the day’s carry.
— John Predom
Stay current with the Northeast Kingdom Section’s news and events on the GMC NEK website.
Bread Loaf Section
Trail Magic at Appalachian Gap, August 11, 2024
Trail Magic” is the term thru-hikers use for those unexpected moments when “the trail provides” and can range from a burst of sun on a rainy day, finding that last night’s hikers left you dry firewood, and of course a table spread of free granola bars, fruit, homemade cookies, rice crispie treats, and ice-cold drinks waiting when you cross a road. On Sunday morning, August 11, the Bread Loaf Section provided some trail magic where the Long Trail crosses Appalachian Gap. Section hikers, thru hikers, cyclists, a few biker groups and tourists were thrilled to have a bite to eat and learn a bit about the GMC and the Bread Loaf Section. Everyone is always extremely appreciative and thankful and, of course, not afraid to stash another cookie away before they head back to the Long Trial, their downhill ride, A&W, or their day jobs.
Visit the Bread Loaf Section website for more section news and photos.
Bennington Section
Annual Bennington Trailfest, July 27, 2024
As a celebration of its designation as an Appalachian Trail Community, Bennington successfully hosted its 3rd annual Trailfest, celebrating hikers as well as all outdoor activities. A shuttle brought hikers in from the AT trailhead in Woodford, about 4.5 miles to the east on Route 9. The Trailfest was based around the Rec Center, where lunch was served and hikers could mingle with community members and other hikers, shower, relax, and attend talks and local booths. Several hikers commented positively about the beauty of the Vermont section of the trail and the friendliness of its people, some commented on the amazing trail of mud!
Bennington Section volunteer Billy Martin hosted a hiker appreciation presentation. At the Bennington Section’s GMC booth, attendees were welcome to try out log cutting using an old-fashioned cross-cut saw. These types of saws are still used today in wilderness areas where chain saws are not allowed. Along with the Trailfest’s free food, free entertainment, free camping, and free transportation, we did our best to make hikers feel welcome and for locals, to build awareness and stewardship for the trails.
— Ann Martin
Read more about this year’s Trailfest in the Bennington Section quarterly newslettter, The Stepping Stone.
Montpelier Section
Peacham Bog, July 14, 2024
Four of us hiked to Peacham Bog from Green Bay Loop Road. Most of the hike was along an old woods road, some of which was eroded from the recent flood. At the pond, we crossed a bridge built in about 2022 above an area where a beaver dam had given out. On either side of the bridge, the abutment was eroded by the recent flood. Soon after the pond, we met the Peacham Bog Loop Trail, which starts at the Nature Center in Groton State Park.
Heading into the woods, we saw ghost pipe and spring ephemerals in fruit, and tasted cucumber root. In another few tenths of a mile, the trail reaches the bog boardwalk, some of which was under an inch or so of water from the recent flood. The end of the boardwalk with its kiosk and bench was dry. There we sat and soaked up the sun, listened to the silence and bird songs, and observed the flora of the unique, domed peatland bog, including black spruce, tamarack, and pitcher plants; Labrador tea, sheep laurel, bog laurel, and leather leaf in fruit; mosses, lichens and more. When the heat became too intense, we headed back into the woods.
Peacham Bog is a natural wonder, with several different natural habitat communities, and a place to be visited many times throughout the year to fully enjoy its beauty.
— Phyllis Rubenstein
For this and other trip reports, visit the Montpelier Section website.
Connecticut Section
Nipmuck Trail, June 5, 2024
The drive through Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner” is always soothing, and the drive to our hike on the Nipmuck Trail in Eastford was no exception. Just prior to our meeting spot on Barlow Mill Road, each of us saw the large snapping turtle on the side of the road, digging a hole to deposit her eggs in. It was the first thing the participants discussed upon meeting. We began the car shuttle to the trail’s start on Eastford Road, and checked again for the turtle but she had gone. She either moved on to a quieter place for delivery or made haste with the matter and returned to the nearby marsh.
We began hiking north on the Nipmuck Trail, the trail ascending up and over Turkey Hill. On the descent, a wooden staircase eased our hike down a particularly steep section. Once across Boston Hollow Road, we began another ascent, gradual and rocky. Participant Kevin has become an amateur mycologist and was able to identify the many fungi that we observed. He explained the curative use of fungi that people of long ago applied to their various ailments. A variety of wildflowers were discovered, too. Our hike had turned into quite the nature walk!
At the height of land where there was a small window of a view, we stopped for lunch. After 6.5 miles we were tired, yet delightfully happy, and ready to depart for home.
— Sarah O’Hare
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