Vermont hike-advice please

[Rancid]

Family matters will end in Townsend, MA. I have time for a 3-4 day hike and I"d like to try VT. This is the only state that I haven't hiked any of on the AT. Any advice for southern VT/CT area would be appreciated. I perfer heavy wooded areas and of course, a loop would be ideal, but in and out is still hiking instead of working.

[oruoja]

A possible 20 plus mile loop in Southern Vt would be hiking the AT/LT to Glastenbury Mt and returning via West Ridge and Bald Mountain (east section) Trails to Vt Rte 9. Stratton Pond and Bourn Pond in the Lye Brook Wilderness can also offer a 20 to 30 mile loop from VT Rte 11/30 with the option of climbing Stratton Mt as well and looping back from Arlington Wardsboro Road on the old AT/LT route back to Stratton Pond.

[Peaks]

I don't know of many multi-day loop possibilities in Southern Vermont. Your might consider a point to point hike, and use a shuttle to get back to your car.

[rafe]

If you've got a bicycle and a bike rack for your car, it's relatively easy to come up with a 3-day section, and bike the distance (by road, of course) in a couple of hours or so. I've done many section hikes that way. It sounds complicated but it's really not:

1. Drop off pack at Point A on trail (hide it in the woods at the hike's starting point.)
2. continue by car to Point B on trail (ie., where you intend to finish the hike.)
3. Park car, return to Point A by bike.
4. Park bike in woods where pack was (lock it to a tree.)
5. Hike to point B.

On return, just remember to pick up your bike before heading home!

[CaptainScarlet]

Hey I never thought of this.

You just solved something for me.

Thanks.

[Kirby]

Place one foot in Vermont, then turn around and never go there again.

Kirby

[rafe]

Place one foot in Vermont, then turn around and never go there again.

You sound bitter. I was hot as Hades when I hiked VT, but I still managed to enjoy it.

[Rancid]

Thanks for your responses, I'll start mapping out these suggestions. And Kirby, I love a challange, it turns a hike in the woods into an adventure.

[fiddlehead]

Place one foot in Vermont, then turn around and never go there again.

Kirby

And bring raingear for even THAT short hike.

[Tin Man]

And bring raingear for even THAT short hike.

Rains don't bother me, but hip waders might be better.

[Quoddy]

This same hike was discussed a couple of weeks ago.

[mudhead]

Place one foot in Vermont, then turn around and never go there again.

Kirby

I would be interested in your response, if you were to spend several years in NYC.

[Cookerhiker]

There's local bus service from Bennington to Manchester and from Manchester to Rutland - I used it last year on my Long Trail hike. Right now, I can't find the links but when I do, I'll post them. Taking the bus enables you to do a linear hike on the AT/LT.

[Bare Bear]

I've been thinking about getting out for a month (September or Ocotober?) and thought doing the LT would be OK but other than the mileage that doubles as the AT have no info. Any suggestions? I would drive up from Florida.....

[rafe]

I've been thinking about getting out for a month (September or Ocotober?) and thought doing the LT would be OK but other than the mileage that doubles as the AT have no info. Any suggestions? I would drive up from Florida.....

There should be plenty of info on the web. Read Jan Liteshoe's book (The Ordinary Adventurer.) Be aware that the part of the LT that "isn't" the AT is a good deal harder than the part that is.

[Cookerhiker]

I've been thinking about getting out for a month (September or Ocotober?) and thought doing the LT would be OK but other than the mileage that doubles as the AT have no info. Any suggestions? I would drive up from Florida.....

In addition to being more difficult, the northern, non-AT portion has some impressive scenery and features. My favorite is the Lincoln Ridge and Camels Hump where your views include Lake Champlain (no comparable vistas on the AT) and the Adirondacks. There's also more extensive sections of picturesque evergreen forest.

http://www.trailjournals.com/CookerhikerLT07

[Cookerhiker]

Family matters will end in Townsend, MA. I have time for a 3-4 day hike and I"d like to try VT. This is the only state that I haven't hiked any of on the AT. Any advice for southern VT/CT area would be appreciated. I perfer heavy wooded areas and of course, a loop would be ideal, but in and out is still hiking instead of working.

OK Rancid, here are links to the local bus routes if you want to hike one-way and take the bus back or vice-versa:

Manchester to Rutland: http://www.thebus.com/routes/rt7commuter.htm
This covers 50 miles of the AT/LT from Rt. 30 to Rt. 4.

Bennington to Manchester: http://www.greenmtncn.org/schedule.html
This covers 40 miles from Rt. 9 to Rt. 30.

[Rancid]

Thanks Cookerhiker, this is a great idea, I'll put this to use here in PA and other places. I bet that I can get a seat by myself on the way back! Rancid

[Rancid]

This same hike was discussed a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks Quoddy, I knew there had to be posted info, but I wasn't able to find it. This is a big help, Thanks again, Rancid