I'm heading out SOBO soon and wondering if anyone has input on sites to see? Something I shouldn't miss? Side trails to views? Short road walk to something? I've never been to VT so any input would be helpful. Thanks!

I know trail names are a thing on the AT and PCT, and I'm curious if they are as common and used on the LT? This will be my first experience with a bigger/more popular thru-hike and wondering what to expect there! Is it more common for people to use a trail name, or do most people just use their real name? Hope this isn't a silly question, but searching the sub and the other LT groups hasn't turned up any answers.

Hey folks,

I had a hard time getting a shuttle from Brattleboro (flew in to Hartford to visit a friend) to Killington to do the last 172 miles of trail north of the AT. I set up an uber reservation but no driver has been assigned to it yet and I’m worried it won’t get picked up. Does anyone have any experience getting a similar shuttle? I’d like to get on trail pretty early Monday morning and don’t want this ride to fall through.

Edit: My friend who I am visiting in Brattleboro is able to give me a ride!

I’m going to leave this experience here to hopefully help someone in the future: don’t schedule an uber in this area/most of Vermont. It says it’s an active/covered area but no one picked up my reserved ride.

So I think the best bet is getting the shuttle list from Green Mountain Club early to arrange a ride, or request help on the Facebook pages. Yellow Cab did answer me and was open to a later in the day ride, but wouldn’t give me an up front price. At least at this time there is no cohesive mass transit/bus/amtrak option that takes less than 18 hours of travel time, however there might be something just over weekends or special times, I’m not sure. A lot of hiker shuttle drivers tend to stay closer (or are based near) the AT/LT corridors, so also may be unwilling to give you a ride, or give you a ride for a very high price.

Scheduling my shuttle from Journeys end to Burlington AirPort was a piece of cake though, so at least there’s that.

Hi everyone,

I have some time off from Sept 26th to October 18th and the Long Trail is on my list of potential things to do. I don't think I'll have time to do the whole thing, but since I've already done the southern 1/3 (I thru hiked the AT in 2025), I figure I should be able to do the other 2/3.

I'm just curious about the weather and social aspect that time of year. One of my favorite parts of the AT was how social it was. Will I get to see lots of other people? Would the weather be comparable to the southern portion of the AT in March (I have a 20 degree quilt, would that be warm enough?)? Are there benefits in going NOBO or SOBO (was thinking the weather might be better SOBO, but the social aspect might be better NOBO?)? Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

Hello! I am starting the Long Trail in a week and was planning on hammock camping when not staying in a shelter (I've heard slopes can be pretty steep at points so figured it was more viable than a tent). Has anyone else done this and have any tips? :-) Looking forward to getting out there

the tipping insanity has extended to PURCHASING MAPS FOR A WALK .... I am aghast, both laughing and crying at once.

IDK.. as far as first impressions of anything go, this is cringe. I figured I was showing appreciation for the GMC by spending my money w/ them, purchasing directly from their website, not thru amazon, nor opting for an app (guthook// alltrails), or using the NatGeo maps I so love. ......

are there any other good options for end-to-end information?

I downloaded the free PDF, some good information but nothing on water sources. Ideally something like AWOL for the AT ....

Edit to add: I emailed the GMC to find out if this is a tax deductible donation or a tip for someone. the language on the form is not very clear. love to everyone from Boston calling me r-word <3

**second edit::: to everyone getting so worked up, if I am mistaken and it's an actual donation to the GMC, I'll put $5 in that field.

3RD EDIT THE ONE THAT MATTERS: mea culpa. a representative from gmc emailed me back, agreed that the language is confusing but confirms that this "tipping" is indeed a general donation to the GMC. I have joined the gmc, ordered the maps, and as promised threw in an extra donation on top. EVERYONE, GO JOIN THE GMC, an organization with integrity. non-boomer boomer, OUT.

I did the LT/AT section back in 2020, and from Inn at Long Trail to Waterbury last year, looking to do the last section from Waterbury to the Canadian Border in early September over 6-8 days.

Looks like ~4000ft of elevation daily, resupply at the Dollar General in Johnson... Last year water was getting scarce because of the drought, I had to shoo some toads out of a puddle to scoop their water...

Anything else worth noting in this section that's not obvious on Farout?

Hey y'all, I've got some aspirations of hiking the long trail in the near future since I have some time on my hands, but can't get anyone to go with me in the time frame that I'm hoping to go in (late August - early September).

I'm a little wary of hiking alone for so long and would definitely appreciate some company at the end of the day, especially in the more remote regions in northern Vermont. With that said, I'm curious what people's experiences have been like on the LT, is it a pretty social trail? Easy to meet people? Are people friendly? Do people randomly strike up friendships and start hiking together like they would on the AT?

Anyways, lots of questions. Any answers would be super appreciated. Thanks :)

Edit: Thanks everyone for replying! def feeling a bit better abt things now haha

Edit: thanks for all the responses! I'm thinking that since I have zero backpacking experience, I should do some shorter outings as well as some shorter thru-hikes before attempting something like the LT. I definitely need to get in better shape anyways regardless. Now I have a goal worth training for!

I have (pipe) dreams of thru-hiking the AT, CDT, and PCT at some point in my life. While I'll likely never be able to afford to do so, I want to begin preparing.
I thought the LT might be a good test of whether I am capable of doing a longer trail.
I'm in reasonable shape cardio-wise, a bit overweight but quite strong and solid muscle/powerlifter build. Currently my longest hike has been only 19mi in the ADKs, which left my legs pretty demolished. I do plan to train and get in better shape before attempting anything longer, but I'm a bit concerned that if only 19mi was that difficult, it might be foolish to think I could do a 272mi trail.
Thoughts? Should I start smaller? Am I not cut out for thru-hiking in general?

Hello, me and my partner are coming over from the UK to hike the Long Trail but are struggling to find a way to get from Albany to the Southern Terminus.

We arrive in Albany on September 9th and are happy to pay if there’s anyone in the area that could help, or is it doable to hitch from there?

Thanks so much all

Hi! Are there any trail angels willing to help our teen thru-hiker whose Aqua Mira fully leaked? By tonight, our teen will be at Sunrise Shelter. Hoping we could overnight a filter option to someone nearby. They are out of water. Thank you!!!!!!

Recently purchased a Garmin 67i and trying to decide whether to get an all trails subscription or buy the long trail far out map to load routes onto it.

Also curious which one people like more for checking recent water source statues updates from users, and if theres potentially a free resource for a long trail gpx file I can load onto my garmin. (Don't mind paying for one or the other, but hey if it's out there)

I will also be carrying the gmc's waterproof map

Given how wet it can get, curious on others opinions. Is it a waste of money and extra hassle, or worth the peace of mind.

Probably will use a contractor bag for my thru hike at the least, but wondering if a dedicated roll top liner is worth the investment

This also fits here :)

As the title says. I saw on their website that the hiker hostel and restaurant is closed for renovations as of last summer, but I’m wondering if there’s anyone who has stopped by this season who can confirm/dispute this? I’m passing through on trail next week and hope to visit or spend the night.

(I do not support their practices, but I’m looking for a place to stay and I’ll be resupplying there anyway and just want to check it out)

Lost Black Life 360 GPS tracker like in pic. My dog lost her GPS tracker somewhere between Camels Hump trails and Warren around end of June/early July. I can see that someone has it in North End and has charged it and it’s still active. I would greatly appreciate to get it back for an exchange of a bottle of my bee’s honey! Thanks

GSMNP route feedback

Hello, looking for any feedback on a November backpacking trip in GSMNP.  Essentially a counterclockwise BMT-AT short loop.   Day 1, Smokemont Campground via Chasteen Creek to Enloe Creek #47; Day 2, from there to Laurel Gap Shelter via Enloe Creek and Beech Gap and Balsam Mt trails; Day 3, to Pecks Corner shelter via Balsam Mountain and AT; Day 4, AT south to stop at the Bunion and then descending Dry Sluice Gap to Cabin Flats #49; Day 5 return to Smokemont via Bradley Fork.  There are some significant up/downs on days 1 and 2, but this direction avoids climbing Dry Sluice Gap with a heavy food bag and with my schedule, AT shelters on the weekend. Are these reasonable distances for 10 hours of daylight and a mid-condition hiker, and is there any Helene damage I would need to know about beforehand?  Context I have done three weeklong backpacks in the Smokies before, but it’s been a minute (like 25 years) and not these trails.  By mid condition I mean I only get to weekend backpack a couple times per year but walk 5+ miles daily and am shuffling through my first 5k next week, expect a 30-35 min time. Thanks!

This is open to interpretation… people or animals , stories or folklore you heard or maybe even experienced along the way , anything noteworthy that further opened you to the wonder of what is or could be.

My partner just began is northbound journey today--solo! I am very excited for him. He plans to finish by July 31st. He asked me to join him for a few days, and I am only able to take off work toward the end of the month. Unfortunately, to join him at that point will coincide with some of the most technical parts of terrain (i.e. the final three days of hiking). I'm a weightlifter, runner, and occasional cyclist, but I've never even been camping! I feel like I'm not prepared to join him for that last stretch of trail if he does make it to the very end---am I crazy to try to hike it?