Volunteer Long Trail Patrol

Run away and join the trail crew for a week! Meet new people of all ages and backgrounds while working and living on the trail. Learn how to build and maintain hiking trails – or, if you’re already an experienced trail maintainer, practice your skills on some neat projects.

Based out of Mt. Tabor Work Center in Southern Vermont, a Volunteer Long Trail Patrol (VLTP) crew consists of 4-6 rotating volunteers led by a GMC Crew Leader and a GMC Assistant Crew Leader, supported by a GMC Crew Coordinator. Volunteer crew members work for a week at a time (with the option of working single or multiple weeks) along the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail on projects such as building puncheon, turnpikes, water bars, side-hill tread, and bridges. Most VLTP projects are in the Green Mountain National Forest, and some are in federally designated Wilderness areas.

VLTP crews work Friday through Tuesday in the field in most weather. They work with rock and lumber, as well as native timber as projects require. Crew volunteers arrive at Mt. Tabor Work Center each Thursday and have a communal dinner with VLTP crew staff. Friday through Monday nights crews camp near their work sites and share a communal camp kitchen, as well as camp chores. The GMC provides transportation to the work site’s trailhead, food for the crew during the work week, tools, personal protective equipment, and some group equipment (stove, fuel, cook-ware, first-aid supplies), as well as some personal gear for volunteers to borrow. Communal day-off housing is available in Mt. Tabor. You must be 18 or older to participate.