The AT Database reports in 2004 a secret shelter just south of Gov Clement Shelter (a place where I do not want to stop). Any info on the current status of this shelter and how to find it?
Thanks,
Cosmo
The AT Database reports in 2004 a secret shelter just south of Gov Clement Shelter (a place where I do not want to stop). Any info on the current status of this shelter and how to find it?
Thanks,
Cosmo
ssssshhhhhhh......its a secret.
as of 2006, that secret shelter looked new, very nice, and there were free cookies there to hikers!
DavidNH
PS the clement shelter is a pit! You are right not to stop there.
If you are NOBO About 1.6 miles south of Gov. Clement, upon reaching Upper Cold River Road, make a left. Go about 1/4 mile and look for the rock cairn marking the path to the Secret Shelter (don't take the dirt track to the right before that). If it's still there, about 1/4 mile or so before reaching the road, you may see a notice on a tree to your left telling you how to get there.
So a SOBO would not see the notice on the tree, and wold turn right onto Upper Cold River Rd? How far off the road is the shelter? I'm thinking of making it my first stop, leaving from Rt 4.
Cosmo
So, finally getting back to finish up VT from my 2008 visit. At present GMC reports that the AT/LT is on the roads due to storm damage between Gov Clement and [Lower] Cold River Rd. Is the path to the shelter off of Upper Cold River Rd between Gillman Rd and the AT/LT? Is it to the north or south of the road?
Or I'll find out on Sunday,
Cosmo
In an area with multiple dirt roads close together, where you hung a left at a sign that read "Water", and it was a farm with a shelter? The SS I remember had 2 levels with a smooth wooden upstairs, POWER and a large box fan, a huge double stainless steel sink with RUNNING WATER (couldn't resist the temptation to handwash all my dirty clothes), and a hilarious pair of loud, constantly-protesting donkeys in the distance. Is it this place we're talking about?
Yeah, that's what I thought, too. But then someone said the privy is nice with reading material. That's not the Secret Shelter I stayed at in NJ (I believe - mile 1,344). That privy is not in good shape at all; however the shelter itself was awesome. It even has heat and electricity for charging electronics, potable water and a shower across the field from the shelter. The owner is an great guy by the name of Jim Murray with whom I had a nice chat when I was there in May 2018.
I just realized I got sucked into a thread that was started more than 10 years ago. Oh well. Sorry I missed the Vermont Secret Shelter last year.
Last edited by ldsailor; 02-25-2019 at 12:23.
I checked it out. It has a shower!
My wife and I will be hiking southbound through there this coming August. Do we need a special invitation or do we need to know the special pass word or is keeping our eyes peeled enough?
I stayed there on 9/18 while doing Williamstown to Rt.4. A beautiful quiet place built with love and a bit of a sence of humor. I hope the sponsors/owners read my thankyou note. It was 35.6 deg that night. Mark S.
Gov Clement is the worst excuse for a shelter there is on the LT - but at least now they've gated the road that made it such a party spot. It's still a hole in the ground, but a quiet one.
I stayed there this summer. It's a beautifully designed shelter with a lot of whimsical touches. And two well-placed trees for hammocking as well.
Indeed. In 03' I put in a long azz day to get up to Killington for the night. My buddies all slept at the Gov and twice were woken up by groups of kids, one group which was shooting off guns.
In 04' I was carrying a hammock and set up alongside that lovely creek a mile or 2 south of the shelter.
I;ll check out the Secret place if I'm ever back.
Anything's within walking distance if you've got the time.
GA-ME 03, LT 04/06, PCT 07'