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 Mt. Tabor, Vermont, a Volunteer Long Trail Patrol (VLTP) crew consists of 4-6 rotating volunteers led by a GMC Crew Leader and an Assistant Crew Leader. 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 in Mt. Tabor, VT at the 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.
Upcoming Projects for the 2020 Field Season
The 2020 VLTP Field Project will be located on the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail between Forest Road 273 and the Rt. 9 LT/AT Crossing. The project consists of classic Vermont trail work, installing rock structures such as turnpikes, waterbars, armored drains and stone steps to create a hardened and sustainable treadway for hikers. Began by the 2019 Volunteer Long Trail Patrol, this project is an excellent opportunity to learn essential trail skills while installing long-lasting, durable and beautiful trail work.
What you’ll do on VLTP 2020:
- Learn to use tools such as rockbars and pick-mattocks for their maximum mechanical advantage
- Turn a 50-ft mud-pit into a dry, sustainable and pleasant hiking surface which will persist for decades
- Eat delicious food, make new friends and give back to the Vermont’s hiking trails!
Volunteers shifts are for one week and volunteers may sign up for all six weeks.
Week 1: Thursday, June 25 – Tuesday, June 30
Week 2: Thursday, July 2 – Tuesday, July 7
Week 3: Thursday, July 9 – Tuesday, July 14
Week 4: Thursday, July 16 – Tuesday, July 21
Week 5: Thursday, July 23 – Tuesday, July 28
Week 6: Thursday, July 30 – Tuesday, August 4
Apply for Volunteer Long Trail Patrol!
If you have any questions about VLTP, please contact Lorne Currier [email protected].
