View Full Version : Long Trail: Shelters to avoid?
JoeHiker
10-03-2005, 12:40
As I recall from other threads, the Gov Clement shelter is frequented by locals and is definitely one to avoid. Any other Long Trail shelters (on the AT section or off) that I should steer clear of when I do my LT end-to-end?
Something wrong with Vermont locals? YMMV, but I had some/one bring me pizza, beer and/or treats nearly every other day!
JoeHiker
10-03-2005, 13:35
Something wrong with Vermont locals? YMMV, but I had some/one bring me pizza, beer and/or treats nearly every other day!
I've heard more than a few stories of some overly rowdey locals in that shelter. It seems to be famous as one to avoid. Just wondering if that was the case in any others.
It need not be local people. Are there any where the mice are particularly bad? Any that leak, any with skunks, bears, etc?
Just wondering
excitedidiot
06-18-2007, 09:52
I met three guys who stayed at gov. clement this year. The "locals" were apparently quite proud that the long trail guide advises hikers to avoid it. The hikers said they were carrying guns and played loud music all night. So, i'd avoid it.
I just got back from my LT E2E and I didn't have a problem with any shelter, but you may want to avoid the pay shelters on weekends and holidays, as they tend to be more used.
--ryan
Chef2000
06-18-2007, 12:19
The new Bromley shelter is great.
As I recall from other threads, the Gov Clement shelter is frequented by locals and is definitely one to avoid. Any other Long Trail shelters (on the AT section or off) that I should steer clear of when I do my LT end-to-end?
You don't actually come into contact with any rowdy folks @ Seth Warner but it is very loud in the area on weekends - dirtbikes,fireworks etc. - I've experienced this myself and heard it from others --
Water @ Melville Naum is crappy - Continue any easy three miles north and refill on water @ the brook - There are then many nice established tent sites along the trail prior to Goddard/Glastonbury if you can't make it all the way to Goddard that day (which is an awesome shelter with outstanding water)
Spruce Peak is enclosed and therefore prone to rodents --- i did here this second hand from someone who is the pied piper of the trail however - i think he would experience rodent issues in a hammock. He also said the douglas shelter prior to there is not that nice - in addition to being a mile RT off the trail.
-will
stranger
04-05-2008, 03:17
Gorham Lodge on Camels Hump is infested with mice and also the Birch Glen Camp has heaps of mice as well, that might havebeeb replaced by now
Gorham Lodge on Camels Hump is infested with mice and also the Birch Glen Camp has heaps of mice as well, that might havebeeb replaced by now
I think it's now the former Gorham Lodge. Heavy snows pushed it out of shape a few years ago and it has been removed.
Quick note on shelters on the VT. The shelters with caretakers that charge a fee don't reside in the nicest shelters but in the most convenient locations for the caretaker to get on and off the trail. Had to get a ridgerunner to explain that to me and my crew after we encountered caretakers at some of the crappiest shelters on the LT, while the excellent shelters were free.
That said, besides Clement I can't think of another shelter I would avoid unless I was feeling particularly cheap that day.
wilconow
04-05-2008, 08:58
look at what the gmc wrote here
Last August I observed the following which were mentioned in one way or another above.
Avoid Gov. Clement - I tented nearby and didn't have a problem, but the shelter, which years ago must have been the showpiece of the trail, it quite run down now. If you're in the area at the end of the day, the Secret Shelter is about 1.5 miles south.
Caughnawaga - CLOSED... This small shelter is unsafe and is literally falling down. Very close to Kid Gore.
Gorham Lodge - Gone for quite some time.
Birch Glen - I spent an enjoyable night there in a heavy rainstorm. Outstanding privy art, don't miss it... really.
Douglas - Spent a night there when I had a minor leg problem and decided not to go on to Spruce Peak. Other than being a half mile off trail it wasn't too bad. I ended up tenting since there were four hikers and a dog already there. This is not a usual planned LT stop and is used mainly by hikers on another trail.
Boyce - In a dry period the water is non-existent.
Skyline - A beautiful shelter, but the small spring dries up by mid to late summer. You'll need a good filter to use the water from the pond.
Lost Pond - Not rebuilt, yet, since being burnt down a second time. Tenting is still an option if you decided not to go on to Big Branch.
Cooper Lodge - On it's last legs.
Have a great hike. The northern section is fantastic.
wilconow
04-05-2008, 09:16
oh yeah, I forgot about the Secret Shelter. Very nice place
joehiker22
09-20-2009, 19:42
Last August I observed the following which were mentioned in one way or another above.
Avoid Gov. Clement - I tented nearby and didn't have a problem, but the shelter, which years ago must have been the showpiece of the trail, it quite run down now. If you're in the area at the end of the day, the Secret Shelter is about 1.5 miles south.
Caughnawaga - CLOSED... This small shelter is unsafe and is literally falling down. Very close to Kid Gore.
Gorham Lodge - Gone for quite some time.
Birch Glen - I spent an enjoyable night there in a heavy rainstorm. Outstanding privy art, don't miss it... really.
Douglas - Spent a night there when I had a minor leg problem and decided not to go on to Spruce Peak. Other than being a half mile off trail it wasn't too bad. I ended up tenting since there were four hikers and a dog already there. This is not a usual planned LT stop and is used mainly by hikers on another trail.
Boyce - In a dry period the water is non-existent.
Skyline - A beautiful shelter, but the small spring dries up by mid to late summer. You'll need a good filter to use the water from the pond.
Lost Pond - Not rebuilt, yet, since being burnt down a second time. Tenting is still an option if you decided not to go on to Big Branch.
Cooper Lodge - On it's last legs.
Have a great hike. The northern section is fantastic.
updates:
gov. clement: ok to use now, a gate has been installed on the dirt access road, so hicks can't drive up in trucks/dirtbikes/atvs and build bonfires/drink liquour/shoot guns/shoot fireworks
beautiful shelter, predates the at
masonry being repaired/repaired
lost pond: rebuilt, really nice
cooper: still kicking along, not really a nice place to stay
Caughnawaga/gorham: both long gone
That's good news! Stayed there (gov. clement) one night several years ago after a long day despite the warnings and had a good sleep. It's a beautiful old structure and should be saved at all costs if possible. Same goes for Cooper Lodge.
updates:
Caughnawaga/gorham: both long gone
Actually Caughnawaga was only removed recently, but gone is gone. After Gorham was removed in 2001 the GMC built the Bamforth Ridge Shelter nearby and it is a very nice cedar log lean-to.
I remember the Theron Dean Shelter near Mad River Glen being very nasty, tiny place and I just read the GMC will close it for renovations this month.
http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=203
Lone Wolf
09-20-2009, 20:54
As I recall from other threads, the Gov Clement shelter is frequented by locals and is definitely one to avoid. Any other Long Trail shelters (on the AT section or off) that I should steer clear of when I do my LT end-to-end?
guns, pick-ups and beer don't make 'em bad folks. thru-hiker types are too stuffy and anal
JoeHiker
09-21-2009, 11:06
guns, pick-ups and beer don't make 'em bad folks. thru-hiker types are too stuffy and anal
I never said it made them bad folks. I just said it might make the shelter one that thru-hikers might want to avoid.
When I'm hiking long, I like to sleep at night. I'm "stuffy and anal" that way.
JoeHiker
09-21-2009, 11:07
updates:
gov. clement: ok to use now, a gate has been installed on the dirt access road, so hicks can't drive up in trucks/dirtbikes/atvs and build bonfires/drink liquour/shoot guns/shoot fireworks
beautiful shelter, predates the at
masonry being repaired/repaired
lost pond: rebuilt, really nice
Lost pond was rebuilt? That's nice. Two years ago on a section hike I hammocked there and there was no shelter. I'll probably stop by there again in October when I do a long weekend hike.
I hope nobody burns it down this time.
Sleepy the Arab
09-21-2009, 18:54
Lost pond was rebuilt? That's nice. Two years ago on a section hike I hammocked there and there was no shelter. I'll probably stop by there again in October when I do a long weekend hike.
I hope nobody burns it down this time.
Oddly, after every successful thru-hike of mine, Lost Pond Shelter burned down not long after. I'm at odds over whether I should thru-hike again....
Just finished an end to end in July - we did it in 25 days with 2 zeros - we tented about 35% and sheltered about 65% - of the shelters we stayed in, our favorites were Stratton Pond, Clarendon (great tenting), Cooley Glen (good tenting) Glen Ellen Lodge, Duck Brook (just for the swimming hole), Puffer, and Taft Lodge - our least favorites were Sunrise Shelter (cramped, bad tenting) and Hazen's Notch (cramped, bad tenting, tricky water). Hope that helps - Papa D, LT '10
Saw Sleepy the Arab's post above - we never caught up to you - always one day behind - chased you for 25 days - followed your posts all the way - I was saddened by your post at Journey's End Shelter - I think you hurt some feelings with that one - you were my hero until then. LOL - Papa D LT' 10
I really can't think of any shelters to definitely avoid. Govenor Clements has been rehabbed very nicely - in '07 I had planned to stay there, but it was in terrible shape and looked like a trashed out drinking spot. Road access cut off through September 15, so it might be a place to avoid in the Fall.
If you are in a hurry or want to conserve energy, you might want to avoid the shelters that are well off the trail. For example - I stayed at Buchanan and Glen Ellen this year out of curiosity. Both are very nice shelters but are about 1/3 of a mile downhill from the trail. If starting your day heading uphill to get back to where you started is an issue, then I'd skip these. Douglas and Beaver Meadow are even further off the trail.
You might also want to avoid the fee shelters if your budget is tight.
Shelters are nice to meet folks and get water but I avoid them for a good nights sleep. Try the (small) campsite just north of Baker Peak. Enjoy a wonderful sunset and great views of the valley below.