Where, between Route 4 and Route 2, can a hiker leave the LT trail, thumb a ride, and purchase foodstuffs? Can anyone provide names and directions to a couple of grocery stores along that section? I will be heading northbound. Thanks.
Paparazzi
Grocery Stores between Rt. 4 and Rt. 2?
system
#3
Between Rt. 4 and Rt. 2, you will pass through Brandon Gap (Rt. 73), which is the next one past Rt. 4. Rt. 73 westbound will take you to Brandon (large town), where there are stores. The next gap is Middlebury gap (Rt. 125). West on Rt. 125 will take you to Middlebury (a long ways) but there is a smaller general store before you get to Middlebury. After Rt. 125, the next gap is Lincoln Gap. Hitching west from there will take you to Bristol, which has good stores in town. The road at Lincoln Gap is not as heavily traveled, so hitching might not be as easy as it would be in the other gaps with bigger roads through them.
Appalachian Gap is the last one before you climb over Camel’s Hump and down to Rt. 2. Not much available westbound at App. Gap. Eastbound takes you to Waitsfield, which has some stores. A lot of hikers go down to Bristol but you might want to ask others you meet what they recommend.
WoodBadge
system
#4
To all my fellow northbounders, we just learned yesterday that the DQ restaurant at groceclose Va near Atkins Va has closed down along with the Gas station.Just letting any one who might be hiking out there to know this .
Treehugger
system
#5
One nice thing about getting off at Middlebury Gap to resupply is that there is (Middlebury) city bus service right to the LT. The small store already mentioned is in the town of Ripton. Middlebury itslef has pretty much anything you’d want.
Tramper Al
system
#6
Thank you for the replies to my question. I am going to print them out and stuff the page into my backpack.
BTW, I do possesss a GMC guidbook, but a cursory inspection of it reveals no infomation about grocery stores.
Paparazzi
system
#7
I recommend the Shaw’s in Irasville (Rt. 17). It’s a nice compact town, everything you need is really close together.
Bob McCaw
system
#8
I found the hitch to Bristol from App Gap to be very easy. The advice I got from a Vermonter who was on his 7th thru-hike was to stay right near the parking area (because it’s easy for cars to park). I don’t know as much about the hitch from Lincoln Gap to Bristol, but I met someone who had good luck with it.
Bristol is a great little resupply town - the main business area is compact, there is a laundromat, a good variety of restaurants for a small place, a supermarket and a food Co-op.
I like food Co-ops because you can buy from bulk and get the exact quantity you want.
pedxing
system
#9
I had a good experience hitching west out of Lincoln Gap this year. Two miles brings you to The Old Hotel, a relatively inexpensive B&B. The owner will provide transport into Bristol for re-supply if you need it, a great breakfast and transportation back to the trail in the AM. They will also let you do laundry. Also, for short term re-supply, there’s a small grocery in Lincoln only a couple of blocks from The Old Hotel.
Little Timmy Tuckeredout
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#10
Hey Little Timmy - I met you while I was SOBO on the LT. (It’s hard to forget a trail name that is that creative!)
pedxing