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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

oh yeah, I forgot about the Secret Shelter. Very nice place

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

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

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.

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.

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....