I’m looking at thru-hiking the LT in May of 2006,and am wondering if anyone has done it and has any advice. Due to the short season of my work (trail maintenance) I’m limited in my options as to when to do the hike. Any comments would be much appreciated. Thanks!
SideWedge
I started May 19 last year and had a great time. I ran into snow on one occasion. There weren’t very many people on the trail except in popular areas like Mansfield and Camel’s Hump. The Inn at the Long Trail was closed. I did share shelters with one other person two or three times, so I wasn’t totally alone.
The spring wildflowers were all out, and in places the trees were still bare, adding to the views.
On the whole, I’d say it depends on how you feel about lots of solitude. I tolerate it pretty well so I enjoyed myself. You might feel differently.
The GMC says not to do the trail in May, as you probably know. There are parts that are closed – although it’s probably not enforced.
I went anyway, because it had been a dry year up to the point when I started, and I thought I could use common sense not to wreck the trail. The trail was mostly in good shape, except for a couple of days after heavy rains. It was pretty squishy on Killington, and I avoided the top of Stratton on a rainy day partly to avoid damage. But I could see how damage could be a real problem on a bad year. So I guess, use your judgment on that issue.
Bob McCaw
Green Mountain Clubs “Long Trail Guide” says:"The Green Mountain Club strongly encourages hikers to avoid higher elevation trails during the spring mud season[usually late March through the end of May]Snowmelt creates extremely muddy trails and makes them vulnerable to damage from foot traffic,which is compounded when hikers walk besides the trail to avoid the mud"
I would think that it all depends on many conditions,how much snow,how late Spring arrives,Etc.I guess I would say,let your conscience be your guide.I would wait till late June to start.
old&in the way
I hiked the LT in August and it was still incredibly muddy. If the GMC wants to protect the trail they may want to install a few more bog bridges. If its worse in May then August the mud must be up to your neck!!
Big B
The “mud season” the GMC refers to is something that happens mainly at the higher elevations. Lower elevation trails can be dry in May or wet in August depending on the recent weather. The problem is, at the high elevations the snowpack is typically still melting in May. This means the ground is saturated regardless of whether it’s been dry. Add to this the fact that high elevation trails are vulnerable anyway, and you get the GMC’s policy.
I hiked the portion of the LT where it coincides with the AT both in July, 2004 and late May, 2005. The trail was far worse in July, 2004. There is a stretch just north of the Mass./Vt. line that is usually incredibly muddy, and it was bone dry last May. So lower parts of the trail may be dried out relatively early – although if you get on the trail too early, the snowpack may still be melting at lower elevations, too.
Either way, the point is well taken about bog bridges.
Bob McCaw
Thanks for sharing…I guess I’ll be playing by ear, seeing how much snow VT gets this winter. I’m hoping to be able to do the trail when I will be able to experience lots of solitude.
About the bog bridges…I actually worked for GMC last year and there are a limited number of people trying to care for all of the LT. Certain projects are considered to be of a higher priority than others due to things like traffic volume and such. Carrying out the lumber for bridges is time consuming, and there are other projects that are deemed to be a better use of the limited season for maintenance. I encourage anyone that has seen particulary horrible sections to e-mail GMC so that they can be aware of it. GMC is always looking for volunteers to adopt a section of trail…
SideWedge
We should all volunteer to maintain trails. I was so grateful for bog bridges, or puncheon, or magic half logs, whatever you may wish to call them. They didn’t look like the work of Trail Pixies. They looked like the work of dedicated folks helping other hikers.
Puncheon is My Name
SideWedge,
Maybe we will meet on the LT, I am starting on the AT in PA, in March '06. And will continue on, to thru-hike the LT. After doing the section of the AT, I will have completed the trial.
Good Hiking
Bayou
Bayou
I have found that the gmc is a lot like the ski patrol- if there is fun or enjoyment to be had they are there to kill it. If you are out by yourself and use your head you can leave NO!!impact.enjoy the views and the blooming wild flowers that the gmc would deprive you of. In my experience where i hike the trail has been better in may than it has been in the middle of the summer.
riderdave