I’ve searched fairly long on the web (and this forum) and can’t seem to find almost any information about hiking the Long Trail in October. A friend and I are looking to do a week’s worth of hiking the 2nd week of October. What kind of weather and other conditions might we expect? Any sections better to do at that time than others? Any special problems we might expect to contend with that time of year?
Any input is welcomed.
Tom
hiking in vermont durring october is everything you want it to be.
The colors are amazing and the weather cool.
I found a 20 degree to be good enough, however I did make a fire every night and dragged heated stones to bed with me.
If you only have a week I would start as far north as you can.
special problems, at leased 30% of my water sources were dry bring a pump filter cause some of your water will be from ponds
goof
If you like to spend a night in town once in a while, be prepared for higher prices at most every motel, B&B, etc. When the leaf peepers come to town seem like many businesses need to raise their prices.
Jeff
we were considering hiking from Stratton/Arlington Road, or maybe a little further south and hiking to Vermont 140. Goof, you are suggesting as far North as we can get? For views, or crows or what?
I am a little concerned about the motels etc. as we’d like to stay in one at the begining and end of our hike. I was wondering about water and the prospect of bad weather. Not that bad weather would deter me–from my history you could easily conclude that I purposely look for bad weather days to hike…
Hoping to see fall colors and worrying that we might be a little late for that by 2nd week of October that far north.
We are trying to arrange for a local shuttle right now and hope it works out as we don’t want to drive two cars from Delaware, especially now.
Tom
You may be too late for foliage if you wait til the second week of October in Northern Vt. The Stratton area is beautiful, and the foliage should be in full blaze by then. The towns and motels WILL be full of leaf peepers so if you can find hiker friendly homes or hostels, that’s your best bet for overnight stay.
I just took a hike on Belvidere Mt. (near Eden, near Jay Peak) yesterday and the colors were looking bee-you-tee-ful.
Enjoy!:cheers
Long Haul Sally
The foliage season has been pushed back, peaking at around Oct 10th. typically it was oct 2nd but there was a huge (i mean days in the 80s) warm front wich slowed the whole process down. the warm front has passed and the past couple days have had about 3 inches of rain (at least in the north). dont worry about water treatment, bring what you have and you will be fine, iodin, aqua mira, pump etc.
so you know: Greenwall shelter did seem to have a very slow water source. just a trickle (after rain) but it was suitable
Little Rock Pond is breathtaking. perhaps plan a little day hike around the pond for fun. absolutely one of my favorite places on the trail. sweet caretaker there named andy.
Lost pond shelter to little rock pond is quite a nice stretch to walk. a good place to stretch your legs and feel like you are moving quick.
peru peak shelter is low and deep, sweet water source (river right outside) you can hear the rush all night long.
spruce peak shelter has a lot of old time rustic charm. sliding door there. a couple of books of poetry. a wood saw for the fire.
dont skip prospect rock. its such an easy thing to miss. just a big ass rock on the side of the road. walk down and around and a great view of manchester awaits.
stratton pond shelter is bombproof and stratton pond is pretty sweet also. goto the spring there. dont fillup from the pond. too many dayhikers pissin in the water there.
hope it helps,
sinenomene
Sinenomene
I was on the LT from Oct 7 - Oct 14, 2005. The weather was crummy most of the time. Cold, rainy, overcast.
I have my journal online if you’re interested. http://www.trailjournals.com/karen
Karen