Category: Education
-
Alpine ID: 15 Plants to Find above Treeline
This post was first written on August 5, 2021 by Angie Hilsman and was updated with additional information on June 27, 2023 by Lily LaRegina. State botanist Bob Popp kneels beside a flat rock, just in front of the Mt. Mansfield Visitor Center. He points out mountain cranberry and bluets to a dozen GMC staff…
-
Alpine ID: 15 Plants to Find above Treeline
This post was first written on August 5, 2021 by Angie Hilsman and was updated with additional information on June 27, 2023 by Lily LaRegina. State botanist Bob Popp kneels beside a flat rock, just in front of the Mt. Mansfield Visitor Center. He points out mountain cranberry and bluets to a dozen GMC staff…
-
Rare Plant Discovery, A Win for Alpine Stewardship
This article previously appeared in the Spring 2023 Long Trail News under the headline “Alpine Steward Discovers Rare Plant on Mount Mansfield’s Summit.” It was written by Liam Ebner. Alpine zones, the living remnants of the last ice age, make their home on the higher summits in New England and New York, where they serve as…
-
Winter Hiking FAQs
Winter hiking can be glorious, but intimidating to get started. Below, we answer your frequently asked questions about winter hiking. What’s so great about hiking in the winter anyway? Hikers choose to hike in winter for many reasons, whether it’s fewer people on the trails, the different views and experiences from summer and fall, no…
-
Hiking During Hunting Season in Vermont
September 1st marks the start of Early Black Bear Season in Vermont, followed by many other hunting seasons throughout the fall. Hunting is allowed on all GMC owned and managed lands, including along the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail corridors in Vermont. Please be safe when you are hiking and be respectful of all trail…
-
What’s that String in the Alpine Zones?
What’s that String? If you’ve hiked Camel’s Hump, Mount Mansfield or Mount Abraham, you’ve seen low-lying white string delineating trails above treeline. Yes, it helps hikers find their way on exposed bedrock. But more importantly, it protects the fragile plants that grow only on the approximately 200 acres of Vermont’s alpine zones. These plants survive…
-
How Trail Crews Fight Erosion
“Erosion is what causes all the problems on trail,” says Kevin Hart, GMC field supervisor of the Long Trail Patrol. “The main goal of trail crew is to stop erosion.” Kevin’s not talking about bear encounters or overflowing privies or litter in firepits when he says “problems.” He’s talking about trail degradation. You know what…
-
How to Get Started Backpacking
Interested in backpacking (or inspired by this year’s 481 End-to-Enders)? Getting started can be intimidating but once you get going, it’ll quickly become second nature. Here’s what you need to know about backpacking as you get started. Have questions? Email our experts or stop by the Marvin B. Gameroff Hiker Information Center in Waterbury. Clothes…
-
Everything to Know About Hiking with Kids
Hiking with kids is intimidating. There are more needs to anticipate and plan for. You will carry more. There’s new gear to navigate. We get it. Keep reading to get the whole family outside and hiking. How to Start Hiking How to hike with kiddos depends greatly on their age and abilities. Infants can generally…
-
Citizen Science Projects on the Long Trail and Beyond
Spring is an excellent time to explore the natural world around us and celebrate plants and animals emerging again. But did you know your casual observations can contribute to scientific research projects all over the world? Citizen science refers to the public’s collaboration and participation in professional science projects, especially in the natural world. The…