Source for LT info

[Papa D]

Who said anything about the southern 100 miles being flat? Please don't not confuse 'easy by comparison' to 'easy'. In comparison to the northern sections of the LT, the southern sections are easier. I will admit that going northbound and having Camels Hump in my head for a few weeks was kinda cool, it was exciting to get there, and earn it (I would not say that about Mansfield, that was a disappointment), the parking lot and 80 people along the trail was kinda lame. But yes, for this reason I would say going north is interesting, but southern Vermont is still amazing, Killington, Stratton Pond, Styles Peak, Glastenburg, Clarendon Gorge, etc...no lack of kick ass spots. Nothing wrong with going northbound, but most people I know who have done the trail, including myself, tend to say AFTER the hike that southbound makes more sense all things considered. Choose to disregard that information, it will be an amazing hike regardless. I wouldn't change my northbound thru-hike for the world, just wouldn't do it again.

yep - Stranger is right - southern sections aren't "flat" at all - big mountians there too - like Glastenbury, Bromley, Killington, etc. but the hiking north of about Hancock, VT and Middlebury Ski Bowl is MUCH more strenuous and relative to the more southern sections -- going NOBO and building up to this is fun and exciting -- yes, Stratton Pond and Little Rock Pond, etc. are beautiful but (to me) they work more as "early trip beauty vs late trip beauty"

[10-K]

One thing about the southern part is that if you've hiked the AT you've already seen it.....

[10-K]

www.thomastransportation.com/

Thanks for the info - I contacted these folks and here's the reply I just got:

We absolutely could help you with that.
Keeping in mind that this is quite a ride from North Adams, MA to North Troy, VT (214 miles or better), the total cost with driver gratuity included is $562.00 one way. Reservations need to be made at least 48 hours priorr [sic] to travel.

[Mountain Mike]

Try this link http://www.newenglandtaxi.com/

[Cosmo]

Hey 10K, I can't get you from NA to the north end of the LT, but if you need a ride from the airport (Albany is closer to NA than Manchester) to the south end, let me know.

Cosmo

[10-K]

Try this link http://www.newenglandtaxi.com/

Much better.....

This is a 4 hour trip one way with 220 miles
my flat rate would be $400 with a pre authorized credit card

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance :

Thank You
Don Corbett
http://www.newenglandtaxi.com/
(802)598-7254

[10-K]

Hey 10K, I can't get you from NA to the north end of the LT, but if you need a ride from the airport (Albany is closer to NA than Manchester) to the south end, let me know.

Cosmo

Thanks Cosmo! I've got 3 or 4 different options cooking - I don't think it'll be as difficult as I first thought.

Now the big thing is where in North Adams to park a car for 3 weeks...

[Mountain Mike]

10K are you planning to drive to NA & then take a shuttle? You should be able to catch a bus to Rutland with no problem if not furter north on rt 7 & then shuttle & keep cost down. http://www.greenmtncn.org/regional.html & http://www.thebus.com/routes/rt7commuter.htm & possibly http://www.thebus.com/routes/connector.htm

[nehiker]

But your right, going SOBO is harder at first and the climbs seem steeper going south than north. That can be a good thing if your knees don't like steep decents (except for coming down the back side of Madonna - now that's a decent!).

To me, it often seemed the other way around. The drop south from Jay's Peak is very steep in the upper portion (just after it leaves the ski area); this was the first place I slipped and was worried enough about my knee to take 2 advils right away. The drop from Elephant's Peak (south of Madonna Peak) south to Smuggler's Notch is also very steep and rough. The largest ascent on the LT is from Jonesville south to Camel's Hump, 3500', but it is over 6 miles; after that, it took me 2 hours to descend the two miles to Montclair Glen Hut. The upper half of the descent from Mt. Abraham was steep. None of the ascents seemed that steep to me, with the exception of a short section just north of the Chin.

I am still glad I did SOBO though; it was such smooth sailing after Lincoln Gap.

[corialice81]

Thanks Cosmo! I've got 3 or 4 different options cooking - I don't think it'll be as difficult as I first thought.

Now the big thing is where in North Adams to park a car for 3 weeks...

For a donation (you pick), you can park at the Greylock Country Club which is near the AT. 413.664.9020. The place is watched by police. My truck had no problems and sat for twenty days. HIGHLY RECOMMEND page 27 at bottom of the End to Enders Guide.

As far as getting back to North Adams afterwards... call and speak with Norm at the North Troy Bed and Breakfast. 802.988.2527 During the workweek, he doesn't mind giving you a ride to Bennington, VT, where he works. From Bennington, you can take a bus back to North Adams for much less than 400 dollars.

Hope this helps.

[Cookerhiker]

For a donation (you pick), you can park at the Greylock Country Club which is near the AT. 413.664.9020. The place is watched by police. My truck had no problems and sat for twenty days. HIGHLY RECOMMEND page 27 at bottom of the End to Enders Guide.....

+1 on this. I've left my car at the Greylock Community Club twice - once for the LT thruhike, once for a Mass. section hike. No problems, no worries.

[Papa D]

Thanks for the info - I contacted these folks and here's the reply I just got:

We absolutely could help you with that.
Keeping in mind that this is quite a ride from North Adams, MA to North Troy, VT (214 miles or better), the total cost with driver gratuity included is $562.00 one way. Reservations need to be made at least 48 hours priorr [sic] to travel.

OUCH!! They have gone up! It could still be co-opped with a group if you could put one together - they do have a big van. Maybe you could get them to take you to somewhere like Stowe, VT -- that's really not too far -- you could bus it from there?? My end to end guide says there is a guy named Steve Merrill that will run a private shuttle too (802) 988-2958. hopkorv@mac.com -- if you can get to Stowe, there is a transit service there: Green Mountain Transit Agency: (802) 447-0477 - they could get you to Burlington or maybe all the way back to MA.

[Papa D]

+1 on this. I've left my car at the Greylock Community Club twice - once for the LT thruhike, once for a Mass. section hike. No problems, no worries.

yep - this is where we parked for our end to end - no problems at all.

[Cosmo]

Thanks Cosmo! I've got 3 or 4 different options cooking - I don't think it'll be as difficult as I first thought.

Now the big thing is where in North Adams to park a car for 3 weeks...

Mt Greylock Community Club. It's 100 yards east of the AT at Rt 2. They request a small donation. I can get their phone number when I get back to work.

Merry Christmas,

Cosmo

[4eyedbuzzard]

10-K, VT is one of, if not the easiest state to hitch a ride in, especially for a hiker wearing a pack - very hiker friendly. I don't think I've ever waited more than a few minutes on Rt 7 or Rt 9 or any of the I-91 entrance ramps, and have often had people go out of their way to drop me somewhere they weren't even originally going past (once had a couple headed toward NY drive me all the way to Bennington from Manchester Center - I offered them some gas money which they refused). I'd honestly venture that you could hitch from the North Adams area to North Troy faster (and cheaper) than trying to string together public transport options.

Hey, it's an adventure anyway. Just stick out the thumb and go for it, you'll get plenty of rides. I'd probably hitch north out of North Adams / Williamstown on Rt 7 to Bennington, then east on Rt 9 to I-91, then north on I-91 to Newport, then west on 105 to North Troy and Journeys End Rd. If you can make it as far as St. Johnsbury and get stuck for a ride, I'll drive you the rest of the way if I'm not away on business / work. PM me and I'll send you my contact info.

[Cookerhiker]

I hiked the LT in sections 1977-81 and thruhiked in '07. Never had a problem hitching. My last ride - from the southern terminus in N. Adams all the way to Bennington - was from a Jewish family on Rosh Hashanna. Pretty cool.

[Tinker]

The easiest part is the 10 miles or so north of Rte 4.

The hardest 50 feet was going over the chin on wet rock with a stiff wind!

I loved every inch of the trail.

[Chaco Taco]

10-K, Ill be out there in August as well. I think I may start the last week of July. Not sure what direction yet. I have the Whites to prep me if I decide to SOBO. Got a few nice trips planned for the summer leading up to the LT 12 hike. Good luck planning. If you are up here before I leave, let me know if you need any help with transportation. Stay in touch.

[Chaco Taco]

Hey I am curious about something with the new E2E guidebook. I just ordered mine and wanted to know if, especially in the northern sections, if there are camping options listed for shelters and such like the AT guidebooks?

[Tinker]

Hey I am curious about something with the new E2E guidebook. I just ordered mine and wanted to know if, especially in the northern sections, if there are camping options listed for shelters and such like the AT guidebooks?

If you mean to ask whether or not there are options other than shelters, such as public campgrounds near the LT, or campsites along the trail, yea the E2E guidebook does list many.