The Green Mountain Club periodically updates this page with trail closures, conditions, and reports on the Long Trail, Appalachian Trail in Vermont, and Northeast Kingdom Trails. We encourage hikers to share their trail observances with the Club either by contacting our Visitor Center or filling out the form at the bottom of this page. Please be aware that all such trail updates sent to the Club may be used and publicized on this page with the source cited.
GMC also posts conditions reports frequently in our Facebook Group.
July 2024 Flooding Update
A year to the day after last summer’s devastating floods, much of central and northern Vermont suffered similar damage as the remnants of tropical storm Beryl hit the state with up to 7” of rain.
GMC is in the process of collecting trail infrastructure reports from field staff. We ask hikers for patience, to avoid the trails for a few days, and allow road and emergency crews to do their work. We will update this page with any long-lasting closures or reroutes when we have them. The following trails are currently closed due to access road damage and closure:
- Monroe Trailhead from Camel’s Hump Road in Duxbury
- Hedgehog Brook Trail in Fayston
- Duck Brook Trail in Bolton – the Bolton Notch Rd is closed. Access from Stage Road is possible but not recommended.
- LT from Duxbury Window parking lot to Winooski River footbridge – use Duxbury Road to avoid a closed portion of trail where a landslide occurred.
- Lake Mansfield Trail in Stowe
- Stowe Pinnacle, Pinnacle Meadows, Bingham Falls, Moss Glen Falls in Stowe
- The Lamoille River floodplain area is OPEN, follow orange flagging for the best crossing route through the high water channel
All water crossings should be considered dangerous and inadvisable. Swimming and recreating in rivers and lakes is not advised: water is fast-moving and contaminated. Wait until it is clear and calm.
Trail Changes & Closures
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Long Trail Relocations and Closures
Including: Seth Warner shelter relocation, Stratton Pond trails relocations, Sunrise shelter relocation
Parking and Trailhead Access Alerts
General Guidelines / Seasonal Closures
Including: Trail Magic Guidelines, Peregrine Falcon Closures, Food Storage Regulations
Resolved Alerts
Including: FR10, Pico Camp
Long Trail Trail and Shelter Relocations
from south to north
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Seth Warner Shelter Relocation
The new Seth Warner shelter is complete and is available for overnight use. It is located two miles north of the old site, at about 5.45 miles north of the Vermont-Massachusetts border and 5.4 miles south of Congdon Shelter. It is down a short spur trail to the west/left. There is a new composting privy and the water source is located north of the shelter on the Long Trail. There is no overflow tenting at Seth Warner and there is currentl no bear box, so plan to use a bear canister or a proper bear hang.
The old Seth Warner site, at mile 2.8NB, was deconstructed and decommissioned in Fall 2022. Dispersed camping is permitted in this area, but hikers should not use the old Seth Warner site to allow it to revegetate.
New Seth Warner coordinates: 42.79804, -73.11836
Glastenbury Fire Tower Remains Closed.
Please do not climb or otherwise use the Glastenbury fire tower. Green Mountain National Forest is in the process of securing funding to repair the tower.
Stratton Pond Area Trail Relocations, new Shelter Open
The ongoing LT/AT and Lye Brook Trail around Stratton Pond relocations are complete. Both trails were moved upslope to a more sustainable location to help protect the pond’s ecosystem. Please follow new signage at the site to stay on trail. You can still hike to and enjoy the pond’s edge via a short spur trail to the Willis Ross Clearing.
There is a new shelter available at the Stratton View Site. From the LT/AT junction with the Stratton Pond Trail, follow signs to the Lye Brook Trail. The relocated spur is about .6 miles around the west side of the pond. There is a moldering privy and tenting capacity here as well.
AT/LT Rootville Bridge Replacement under Construction
GMNF has closed the AT/LT Rootville Bridge at the end of Rootville Road at the Lye Brook Wilderness Boundary due to a failed abutment. An inspection of the structure determined a replacement will be needed. In the meantime, this is a fairly easy rock hop with steep scrambles on the banks on both sides of the stream.
Sunrise Shelter Relocation Complete; Shelter Open.
Sunrise Shelter has moved south. The new 3.5-walled shelter sleeps 14-18, and a moldering privy, constructed in 2022, is located nearby. There is no designated space for tent camping at this site. The water source is a small stream that crosses the LT about 75 feet south of the spur trail.
The new site is about 1.5 miles south of the old site, and .2 miles south of the Long Trail’s intersection with the Chittenden Brook Trail. Its coordinates are: 43.8234832, -72.9459424
Forest City Trail Bridge Replacement is under Construction
As of 11/1/23, the Forest City Bridge (.25 miles from the Forest City trailhead in Huntington) was removed. The bridge was closed in 2019 due to structural concerns. It sustained further damage in the July 2023 floods that necessitated its removal for public safety. Construction is underway and we anticipate reopening the bridge in summer 2024.
Reroute: There are two options: carefully ford the stream if water conditions allow to safely cross. Or, park at the Burrows Trailhead parking area and take the Burrows-Forest City Connecter Trail to intersect the Forest City Trail above the stream crossing. Other bridges on the trail remain in place.
Parking and Trail Access Closures
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Winooski River Footbridge, Parking Closure
Parking is not allowed on the south side of the footbridge. The only current parking for the bridge is on Route 2. Map it.
General Guidelines / Seasonal Closures
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Annual Peregrine Falcon Closures
Peregrine falcons are very sensitive to human presence during their breeding season, so the following areas are closed to hiking and climbing. Please maintain a respectful distance from known nests. Cliffs occupied by peregrines this year are being identified and the current closed hiking areas include:
- Bolton Notch (Bolton) – UUW cliff – cliff access and climbing closed
- Bone Mountain (Bolton) – portions closed to climbing
- Deer Leap (Bristol) – cliff-top and climbing closed
- Dummerston Quarry (Dummerston) – upper quarry closed
- Eagle Ledge (Vershire) – closed to hiking and climbing
- Fairlee Palisades (Fairlee) – cliff-top closed
- Marshfield Mt (Marshfield) – portions closed to climbing
- Mt Horrid (Rochester) – Great Cliff overlook closed
- Nichols Ledge (Woodbury) – cliff-top and climbing closed
- Prospect Rock (Johnson) – cliff-top overlook and climbing closed
- Red Rocks Park (S. Burlington) – southern cliff access closed
- Rattlesnake Point (Salisbury) – southern overlook closed
- Snake Mt (Addison) – entire western trail closed
These sites will remain closed until August 1 or until Fish & Wildlife determines the risk to nesting falcons has passed. Additionally, sites may be added to the closed list so keep checking in VT Fish and Wildlife’s website.
Notice on “Trail Magic” Activities in the Green Mountain National Forest
Hikers and “trail angels” (volunteers) please be advised that the Green Mountain National Forest has issued new guidance on “trail magic” for hikers and backpackers. This guidance comes in response to an increase in unattended food and beverages, leading to concerns around bear activity and waste disposal.
All “trail magic” — including water, cold drinks, snacks, prepared foods — may only be given out with a volunteer physically present. Any trail magic left unattended will be removed and disposed. This guidance applies to cached food and resupplies as well. Thank you for your helping us keep the Long Trail System litter free and a safe place for humans and wildlife to co-habitat.
Black Bear Activity
Forest Service officials announced July 24, 2019, that they are implementing a Forest Order for the entire Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) geared toward minimizing black bear and human encounters and interactions. The order specifies proper food storage and prohibits leaving food, or refuse on National Forest system lands in Vermont. The Order was issued to provide for visitor safety and the conservation of bears. See more information in the press release.
The following acts are prohibited on the Green Mountain National Forest:
- Except while being consumed, all food, food containers and refuse shall be stored in a closed motor vehicle or suspended at least twelve (12) feet above the ground and not less than six (6) feet horizontally from any object. Bear boxes and bear canisters designed specifically for food and/or refuse storage are acceptable.
- All refuse containing food materials or containers shall be deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose, removed from the Green Mountain National Forest to be disposed of properly, or stored in the manner prescribed for food in #1 above (36 CFR 261.58(cc)).
We have had many questions about whether Ursacks are allowed with the GMNF order. Ursacks are currently acceptable under the Food Storage Closure Order, but as with any newer device or technology, they could be unacceptable in the future if GMNF sees issues with them. We recommend that they be used in conjunction with the odor-proof OPSaks recommended by Ursack.
Resolved Alerts
UPDATE: Moss Glen Falls, Stowe Pinnacle and Pinnacle Meadows Parking Access restored, drive with caution.
Driving and parking access has been restored in the Moss Glen Falls, Stowe Pinnacle, and Pinnacle Meadows area. Construction will continue for the remainder of the season, so please drive carefully and proceed with caution. Other hike recommendations in the area include Mount Hunger (access from the Waterbury side only) or Sterling Pond Trail.
UPDATE: The Long Trail through the Winooski Valley Farm Fields is OPEN
Following flooding in December 2023, the Long Trail through the Winooski Valley farm fields is now open. The stiles over electric fences have been replaced, mowing has occurred, and signage now directs hikers into the field rather than the road. Please use care around active agricultural practices and walk around chicken coops if necessary.
UPDATE: FR10 is open. As of May 25, 2024, the washout is repaired and full car access is restored.
UPDATED: Pico Camp Reopened as of 8/16/23
After serving a no-trespass order last summer, the unauthorized occupant of the shelter has not been seen. Note to the hiking public: If you encounter individuals on trail who make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, consider moving on to the next shelter or camping spot. f you are ever in an emergency situation, call 911. General Notices
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