Vermont’s Lengthy Path is the oldest Nationwide Scenic Path in the USA. It runs 272 miles from the Massachusetts-Vermont border north to Vermont’s border with Canada. It’s a terrific path to thru-hike or part hike. I completed mountaineering the Lengthy Path end-to-end in 2008, however I wished to return this summer time and hike what’s referred to as a Lengthy Path Aspect-to-Aspect, which requires mountaineering all of the facet trails that intersect the Lengthy Path.
The Lengthy Path Aspect-to-Aspect checklist consists of 88 trails, totaling 166 miles. After all, the gap it’s a must to hike is for much longer than that as a result of most of the hikes are out-and-backs, the place it’s a must to retrace your steps to get again to the trailhead the place you left your automotive. I’m making an attempt to do as many trails as I can as backpacking loops that incorporate sections of the Lengthy Path correct, however there aren’t many locations the place that’s doable, given the dispersion of trails on the checklist.
The Aspect-to-Aspect checklist is just not with out its share of challenges. The paths aren’t contiguous and are extensively dispersed alongside the size of the Lengthy Path, so it takes some effort to drive to their trailheads to hike them. Most of the trailheads are additionally on seasonal forest service roads which can be both closed or snowed over in winter, considerably shortening the season they are often hiked. Plus, mountaineering throughout mud season (Might) on trails maintained by the Inexperienced Mountain Membership is frowned upon, shortening the mountaineering calendar much more.
That stated, it’s a enjoyable checklist to hike as a result of it takes you to all of the small cities alongside the west and east sides of the Lengthy Path from the state’s southern border to Canada within the north. It’s an effective way to tour the state and drive down many unpaved roads in the course of nowhere if that type of journey appeals to you. I have to admit, I do take pleasure in it myself!
The checklist of Aspect-to-Aspect trails that have to be hiked is on the Inexperienced Mountain Membership web site, which additionally publishes a spreadsheet for monitoring progress. That spreadsheet is similar to the official White Mountain Information Redlining Spreadsheet posted within the White Mountain Information Redlining Fb Group that hikers use to maintain observe of the 664 (1480.2 miles) trails within the Appalachian Mountain Membership’s White Mountain Information.
When it comes to maps, you’ll need a copy of the Inexperienced Mountain Membership’s Lengthy Path Map and a Delorme New Hampshire/Vermont Gazetteer (street atlas), which could be very useful for locating the trailheads. Concerning digital navigation, I take advantage of the AvenzaMaps app and bought the GMC’s Lengthy Path Map to be used with it: it’s means higher than GaiaGPS for this path system.
I’ve simply began the Aspect-to-Aspect checklist, however I’ve discovered it to be tremendously enjoyable thus far and hope to finish it earlier than the top of 2024.
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