Page Type: Stay Safe

  • Staying Safe

    Staying Safe

    Successful Hikes Start with a Safety Mindset

    When entering the backcountry, your safety is of utmost importance. Start here for proper preparation and safety planning, and learn about specific environmental concerns in Vermont to be aware of. Vermont has a robust interconnected Search and Rescue service, but help may be many hours away – you are your best rescuer. 

    The Ten Essentials:
    Your Safety Checklist

    These items will help keep you safe in the event of an unexpected delay or injury. For even the shortest day hike, be prepared to wait in the woods for many hours should you need search and rescue services. 

    1. Insulation  – proper layers, including an extra fleece or jacket if temperatures drop, and a water- or wind-proof layer. 
    2. Hydration – enough water for your hike, plus some extra, and/or a method for gathering and filtering water from the trail.  
    3. Nutrition – enough food for your hike, plus extra. Aim for calorie dense, shelf-stable items that won’t freeze. 
    4. Illumination – a flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries.
    5. Navigation – map and compass strongly preferred, as cell phones can die. 
    6. Emergency Shelter – like a sleeping bag, bivy sack, or tarp. If you become lost or need to wait for rescue, something to keep you warm is invaluable. 
    7. Fire Starter – with matches or a lighter, and a method for quick fire starting.
    8. Sun Protection – a hat, sun hoodie, and sunscreen.
    9. First-Aid Kit – including any regular medications. Children’s Benadryl and Aspirin can also be hugely helpful in backcountry emergencies. 
    10. Gear Repair Kit – even just some duct tape can go a long way.

    Staying Safe:
    Weather Conditions

    Weather conditions often cause the most likely threats to your safety. Vermont weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains. Summer months can be hot and humid; chilling rain and wind can come at any time. Thunder, lightning, severe rain storms, and snow can bring danger to the unprepared hiker, in the form of heat illness, hypothermia, flash flood risk, lightning strikes, and getting lost or injured. Learn about precautions to take for various weather conditions, how to read mountain forecasts, and what to do in case weather turns while you are out.

    Safety: Weather Conditions
    Hikers_clouded summit_E2E_Mount Abraham-2
    Bears of Stowe slopes, Mount Mansfield_07-03-2023_Rachel Markey

    Staying Safe:
    Wildlife

    Most wildlife in Vermont does not pose a serious threat to humans. Traversing the Long Trail System, you may be lucky enough to see bear, moose, small mammals, rare and common birds, and of course insects, including disease-bearing ticks.  

    Learn More About Wildlife

    Staying Safe:
    Food Storage

    Black bears are common in Vermont. While they typically want to avoid humans, some black bears do associate humans with food and will become persistent, which puts both humans and bears at risk. Proper food storage is required in the Green Mountain National Forest and strongly encouraged everywhere else. All food, trash, toiletries, hygiene products, and dishes should be properly stored in an approved container and/or a safe distance from camp.

    Food Storage
    Bear cans_Melville Shelter_07-25-2024_Audrey Moss
    Search and rescue_Stowe Mountain Rescue on Sunset Ridge Trail, Mount Mansfield_Summer 2022

    Staying Safe:
    Search and Rescue

    Vermont has a robust interconnected system of agencies that make up search and rescue. If you need help, call 911. Rescuers would rather you contact them before it is too late or the situation gets worse. Often, your issue might be solved with a simple phone conversation. If you need assistance, there is no charge for search and rescue missions in Vermont.   

     But, search and rescue is not a free ticket to safety. The most common reason for search and rescue calls is being unprepared for conditions. You should be prepared to be your own rescuer, and if you do need assistance, be prepared to wait many hours as volunteers hike in heavy equipment to remote locations. Cell phones are a valuable safety device, but are fallible. Both reception and battery life can be limited.  

    Get Yourself “Ready for Rescue”
    wood grain texture

    More Safety Resources

    • Hiker_Lye Brook Wilderness trail work_08-13-2024_Lily LaRegina

      Be Prepared

      Trail Updates

    • Fog-on-camels-hump

      Stay Safe

      Weather Conditions

    • Hikers_Mount Mansfield Chin_06-02-2018_Marcus-Keely

      Be Prepared

      Hiking 101 Series

    • Summer camp hikers_Stratton Pond_06-26-2018_Richard Moran

      Be Prepared

      Hiking in Groups

    • Hikers on the Short Trail 02_07-25-2025_Lily LaRegina

      Get Involved

      Calendar of Events

    Get Connected to the Long Trail

    Learn about current conditions, upcoming events, and inspiration resources for your next hike.

    Sign Up For Email Updates
  • Food Storage Regulations

    Food Storage Regulations

    Keep Yourself, Other Hikers, and Vermont’s Animals Safe

    There are an estimated 4,500 to 6,000 black bears living in Vermont, concentrated in the spine of the Green Mountains, and their habitat overlaps with the Long Trail and other trail systems. Most bears will avoid people, but increasingly, bears are associated humans with food sources and may become habituated or persistent. It is every hiker’s responsibility to educate themselves about bear safety and take the necessary precautions to secure food and waste to limit bear-human interactions.

    Proper bear-safe food storage is mandatory in the Green Mountain National Forest, as of a 2019 order, and we strongly encourage carrying a bear canister or other approved storage container on all Vermont overnight hikes.

    All food, garbage, cookware, and “smellables” need to fit in your food storage method of choice. This includes toothpaste, chapstick, sunscreen, hygeine products, etc. These also all need to leave the trail with you when you’re done including food scraps and garbage. Food or trash should never go in a privy, as bears can access them and cause a myriad of problems.

    Bears of Stowe slopes, Mount Mansfield_07-03-2023_Rachel Markey

    Approved Food Storage Methods

    There are four ways to safely store food while camping, ranked from most to least secure:

    1. In a locked vehicle.
    2. In a secure bear box, located at about a dozen Long Trail shelters.
    3. In an approved bear canister, placed a safe distance from camp. This is GMC’s preferred method, and we offer free loaner canisters.
    4. In a properly hung bear bag, which can be tricky to get right on the Long Trail.

    Food Storage Methods:

    Bear Boxes

    Available at select overnight sites, bear boxes are a communal secure food storage area. Bear boxes can fill up at busy sites, so you need to have a personal food storage backup plan. Please do not leave anything behind in a bear box; they are not a trash can and a GMC staff member or volunteer will be tasked unnecessarily with removing any trash you leave behind.

    • Seth Warner Shelter
    • Goddard Shelter
    • Kid Gore Shelter
    • Story Spring Shelter
    • Stratton View Shelter
    • Stratton Pond Shelter
    • Peru Peak Shelter
    • Griffith Lake Tenting Area
    • Little Rock Pond Shelter
    • Clarendon Shelter
    • Governor Clement Shelter
    • Tucker Johnson Shelter
    • Stony Brook Shelter (AT)
    • Battell Shelter
    • Montclair Glen Lodge
    • Bamforth Ridge Shelter
    • Hump Brook Tenting Area
    • Taylor Lodge
    • Sterling Pond Shelter
    • Tillotson Camp

    Bear Canisters

    The Green Mountain Club’s recommended method of food storage is a bear canister, as they are the most secure and easiest to store properly at the end of a long hiking day. Know how to use yours, including opening and closing it, and how to best pack both food in it and the canister into your pack, as they do carry some bulk and weight. Stash it on the ground at least 100 feet away from any campers.

    How to Use Your Bean Canister (BearVault)

    Bear Canisters

    GMC offers a free bear canister lending program in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and BearVault. You can check out a canister for the duration of your hike – first-come, first-served.

    All canister loans are on a first-come, first-served basis; we cannot take reservations for canisters at this time. Please use the check-out and check-in forms to help us manage canister availability.

    Check Out a Canister (not a reservation)
    Check In a Canister after you’ve returned it

    Bear Hang

    While Vermont’s forests are not particularly conducive to properly hanging a bear bag in it can be done when necessary. You’ll need at least 50’ of paracord, 1-2 carabiners, and a stuff sack for food, trash, anything with a smell (such as toothpaste and bug spray), and cookware.

    Remember these numbers: hang your bag 12’ up from the ground, 6’ out from the tree trunk, and 6’ out from the nearest branch. You’ll want to pick a tree that’s at least 100’ away from your (or anyone else’s) campsite.

    Bear hang_E2E 2020_Raphael Matto

    The Ursack is also a popular bear bag on the LT. It’s more like a soft-sided bear canister, but needs to be secured to a rigid object like a tree trunk or branch at least 100’ away from camp. More here.

    Bear Canister Lending Locations

    Cosmo Catalano’s Garage:
    North Adams, Mass.

    Bennington Rec Center:
    655 Gage Street
    Bennington, VT 05201
    (802) 442-1053

    Bennington Free Library:
    101 Silver St
    Bennington, VT 05201
    (802) 442-9051

    The Mountain Goat, Manchester:
    4886 Main St
    Manchester Center, VT 05255
    (802) 362-5159

    • Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 am – 6 pm; Sun 10 am – 5 pm
    • After Hours: Drop-off inside vestibule. Call during open hours to arrange after-hours pickup.

    Gifford Woods State Park:
    34 Gifford Woods Road
    Killington, VT
    (802) 775-5354

    GMC Visitor Center:
    4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road
    Waterbury Center, VT
    (802) 244-7037

    a tent with backpack and bear canister out front
  • Weather Conditions

    Weather Conditions

    Stay Safe in all Weather Conditions

    Weather in Vermont can vary widely, especially in the mountains. Exposure to heat, humidity, rain, wind, snow, cold, and/or thunderstorms can all pose a risk to the hiker. Review this page to learn about common weather conditions and how to prepare for them.  

    Summer Weather 

    Hiking Season runs unofficially from Memorial Day Weekend in May to Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend in October. Temperatures can vary, from cool and wet to hot and humid. Keep in mind that temperatures can drop as much as 5 degrees per 1,000 feet of elevation gain. High temperatures can reach into the high 90s with humidity to match, which means heat illness is possible. 40-50 degrees and rainy can be particularly dangerous weather for hypothermia.

    Lincoln Peak_Wildflower Vista_07-12-2024_Meaghan Martin
    Winter trail sign_Bolton_02-27-2023_Laura-Place

    Winter Weather

    Winter hiking requires proper preparation and understanding of the potential dangers. Snow and ice can grace the mountains from October through June, and winter conditions exist in the mountains when it’s warm and dry at the trailhead. Temperatures can drop as much as 5 degrees per 1,000 feet of elevation, and windchill factor is multiplied on exposed summits. 

    Winter also brings slippery trails, which can cause injury, and trails are harder to follow, so the risk of becoming lost is higher. 

    Always check current mountain weather forecasts, leave your hiking plan with a trusted person, and do not be afraid to turn around if conditions are unfavorable. The mountains will always be there another day. 

    Winter Hiking Guide

    Shoulder Season (Spring and Fall) Weather

    While lovely for hiking, shoulder seasons can be deceitfully dangerous to the unprepared hiker, as temperatures at higher elevations are chilly and daylight is minimal. 

    In the spring “mud season” high elevation hiking is discouraged, as footsteps can cause erosion on the melting and muddy trails.  

    In fall, sunny valleys can give way to cold, snowy, or icy climbs. Fallen leaves are slippery and can obscure the trail. Darkness falls earlier and earlier. And it’s hunting season, so hikers need to take precautions in the woods, which are shared with hunters.

    Mud Season Hiking Guidance
    Winter early snowfall_Mount Mansfield_11-02-2019_Roxana-Gligor

    Special Weather Related Risks

    Hypothermia is a dangerous condition caused by the cooling of the body’s core temperature due to heat loss. It can occur year-round, not just in winter. Rainy, windy days between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit are often referred to as “hypothermia weather,” and are common in Vermont’s mountains.  

    Prevention is key. Eat and drink plenty, and dress in layers: moisture-wicking base layers, insulation, and a windproof, waterproof shell. Regulate your temperature by pacing yourself and adjusting layers as needed.  

    Symptoms of hypothermia include poor judgment, confusion, unsteady coordination (e.g., difficulty fastening clothing), slurred speech, uncontrollable shivering, and extreme fatigue. Early signs include difficulty keeping fingers and toes warm.  

    If caught early, hypothermia is treatable. Protect the person from wind and get them into warm, dry clothing, including a hat. Provide food, water, and keep them moving. If they can walk, encourage them to keep walking. If rewarming is necessary, place them in a pre-warmed sleeping bag.  

    Injury from lightning, although fortunately rare, is a serious risk to hikers. Whenever there is a threat: 

    • avoid open summits, ridges, and fields; 
    • if in the forest, seek an area amid shorter trees; 
    • avoid wet gullies and crevices and stay out of small depressions where ground currents may travel; 
    • stay out of small caves (large, dry ones are usually good, however); 
    • sit or crouch on insulating objects, such as a dry sleeping bag or pad, making yourself as small as possible; and 
    • set aside exposed metal objects  

    About 70 percent of people hit by lightning survive. If a person is still conscious and breathing after being struck, the chance of survival is excellent. Even if a lightning victim is not breathing or has no pulse, prompt and effective CPR may save him or her. Continue CPR as long as possible; there is a much greater chance of survival in this situation than in most other cases of cardiac arrest.

    Heat exhaustion and its more severe cousin, heat stroke, are extremely dangerous conditions in the backcountry. Heat can kill you much faster than cold exposure.   

    Prevent heat illness by hydrating, wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; shading your head and neck, and limiting hiking time in high heat and humidity. Signs of impending heat illness include dizziness, headache, and fatigue, so watch for these and take them seriously. Seek shade and cool water to cool yourself or another hiker suffering from heat exposure. Do not hesitate to evacuate if necessary. 

    More frequent, intense rainstorms and flash flooding are unfortunately becoming more common in Vermont, especially in the foothills and mountains. Do not go hiking if extreme rain or flood watch is in the forecast. If you are out on the trail in a storm, find a place to shelter in place away from streams. 

    In periods of prolonged or heavy rainfall, even the mildest of streams can accelerate to the point of unsafe water levels and velocity. Unsafe water may be brown, bubbly, and/or loud. Hazards include the volume and velocity of water, which can sweep you off your feet, hidden debris under the surface, and contaminants. When in doubt, wait it out or find an alternate route around high or swift water.  

    To cross a stream in safe water conditions, follow these tips: Look for a slow-moving spot that is straight across between two bends. Face upstream. Unbuckle your pack’s waist and chest strap and loosen the shoulders. This will allow you to quickly shimmy out of your pack in the event you go down. Getting caught under the weight of your pack is the biggest risk in stream crossings. Keep your hiking shoes on to protect your feet and stabilize your footing. Use a hiking pole or walking stick to help stabilize you and provide another point of contact. Never cross a river alone; consider waiting for another hiker to do so safely.  

    Vermont flooding, Clarendon Gorge_07-12-2023_Lily LaRegina
    wood grain texture

    More Safety Resources 

    • Ready for Rescue: Essential Tips for Outdoor Safety

    • Hikers_Mount Mansfield Chin_06-02-2018_Marcus-Keely

      Be Prepared

      Hiking 101 Series

    • Elise Hedglen 070821 LT Killington Section Pasture

      Stay Safe

      Food Storage Regulations

    • Wildlife, loon_07-04-2024_Gus Onken

      Stay Safe

      Wildlife on the Trails

    • Hiker_Lye Brook Wilderness trail work_08-13-2024_Lily LaRegina

      Be Prepared

      Trail Updates

    Gain Skills and Confidence with a Workshop

    GMC hosts frequent introductory workshops to hiking and outdoors skills. We also partner with SOLO Schools for Wilderness First Aid classes, a two-day intensive to earn nationally-recognized certification.

    Upcoming Classes and Workshops
  • Wildlife on the Trails

    Wildlife on the Trails

    Co-existing with the Trail’s Creatures

    Hiking among Vermont’s mountains, streams, and ponds, you are likely to encounter many small animals and may see some larger ones, like moose and black bear. Vermont’s animals are not generally considered dangerous, but there are a few best practices to follow to ensure we limit our impact on these animals’ natural existence, most importantly proper food storage and waste disposal in the backcountry.

    Bears
    Moose
    Ticks, Mosquitos, & You

    Black Bears in Vermont

    Black bears have become more active around the Long Trail System in the last few years. Most bears want to avoid humans, but as humans recreate more in the backcountry, some bears are associating humans with food and will become persistent. To avoid human-bear interactions and ensure the safety of both wildlife and trail users, the Forest Service mandates that hikers must use a bear box, bear canister, or properly hang all smellables and carry out all trash while in the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF). While this mandate applies to the National Forest, GMC strongly encourages using the same storage methods anywhere in Vermont. The Long Trail and its side trails from Massachusetts to Route 17 (Appalachian Gap) are mostly on GMNF land.

    How to Store Food and Smellables in Vermont

    More Bear Safety Information:

    • Keep dogs leashed.
    • Do not feed or approach bears.
    • If you encounter a bear, make noise and back away slowly. Do not run.
    • Pack out all garbage and food scraps. Do not leave these items in the privies, shelters, or fire pits.
    • If primitive camping, prepare and store food at least 200′ from the campsite. If staying at a designated overnight site, follow these food storage do’s and don’ts. Use the bear box when available.
    • Report any bear encounters to GMC and Vermont Fish & Wildlife.
    • Learn more about bear safety while hiking and camping.

    Moose in Vermont

    Moose are elusive; hikers rarely see them but they do make their home in the lower elevations (typically) of the Green Mountains. Moose are herbivores, but can be dangerous to humans if irritated or surprised. They are particularly territorial during the fall mating season. If you see a moose on the trail, do not approach. Give it space and back away slowly. If the moose approaches you or charges, put a large tree between yourself and the moose.

    SterlingtheMoose_KristinMcLane

    Peregrine Falcons in Vermont

    Peregrines, once endangered, have made a strong comeback in Vermont. They nest in cliffside locations on or near the Long Trail, such as Smugglers’ Notch and Mount Horrid. Falcons are easily disturbed by hikers above their cliffside nests, so portions of the Long Trail or its side trails may be closed during the nesting season, which runs from mid-March to mid-August. Please stay away from those areas until the young falcons have fledged. Vermont Fish and Wildlife tracks nesting pairs each year, and issues a list of closures when the birds begin nesting. Follow their website for the latest updates.

    Ticks and Tick-Borne Illnesses in Vermont

    The smallest creatures on the Long Trail are also those that pose the most prevalent threat to hikers. Blacklegged tick populations are surging due to a warming climate. In Vermont, peak activity for blacklegged ticks typically occurs in May and June, but October and November are also hot for tick activity as ticks search for a host before winter. However, you can encounter blacklegged ticks year-round as long as temperatures are above freezing. Follow these safety tips to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your pets safe:

    • Walk in the center of the trail to avoid high grass and leaf litter.
    • Use insect repellent. Talk to a veterinarian about tick prevention for pets.
    • Wear light-colored clothes so you can easily spot a tick on you.
    • Wear long pants with your socks over your pants and shirt tucked in to prevent ticks from finding a place to bite.
    • Check your body, especially joints, after being outdoors. Remove ticks promptly.
    • Watch for symptoms of tickborne illness. Talk to your health provider if you develop symptoms.
    • Visit the VT Department of Health page for more safety tips.

    Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Illness

    While mosquitoes are typically just a nuisance, instances of mosquito-borne illness like West Nile Virus and EEE are increasing in Vermont. Mosquitoes are more common in wet years and near standing water, and are most active at dusk. We recommend wearing insect repellent and treating clothes and gear with permethrin. Follow the Vermont Department of Health for information about disease-carrying mosquitoes each year.

    Learn More

    Dozens of plant, bird, and mammal species call the Long Trail home. For more, check out the Nature Guide to the Long Trail or visit the Mount Mansfield Visitor Center.

    Visit the Mansfield Visitor Center