Slackpacking Vermont

Meet at 3 p.m. at the Rutland, VT airport (RUD). From the airport we'll shuttle approximately 30 minutes to our lodging for the week - a large, vacation home in the ski resort of Killington, VT. After settling in a bit an exploring the lodge, we'll gather for introductions and go over the information you need for a week of happy and healthy hiking! After introductions we'll enjoy the first of many home cooked meals by your fabulous guides! (D)

Our first day on trail and what a day it’s going to be! After breakfast, we’ll shuttle to our put in point just north of Killington - River Road. One of the nice aspects of the AT is that it crosses back country roads providing easy access to the trail. We’ll be hiking south, back toward Killington. We’ll hike past Kent Pond and through Gifford Woods State Park. Our trail up to this point will be rolling terrain under canopy. Shortly after passing through Gifford Woods State Park, we’ll encounter our first “up” to Shelburne Pass and the joining of the AT with the Vermont Long Trail. The rest of our day brings summits of both Pico and Killington along with passing several AT shelters including Churchill Scott and Copper Lodge. Once summitting Killington, we’ll take the chair lift down to the base and our shuttle will pick us up, head back to our lodge and maybe the hot tub!

Mileage: 12.1. Biggest overall elevation gain: 1,900 feet (B,L,D)

Here we go - off for another day. We’ll start where we left off yesterday - the top of Killington Peak. After taking the chair lift to the top we’ll keep heading south on the AT. Our trail today will test those “down” muscles. Although the terrain is rolling the main direction will be down. Beautiful trail under thick canopy with plenty of autumn colors and great glimpses of the valley below.

Mileage: 11.4. Biggest overall elevation loss: 3,048 feet (B, L, D)

Another wonderful day! We’ll begin with Clarendon Gorge - a wonderful, rock strewn gorge along with a suspension bridge over the Mill River, better than coffee to wake you up! We continue past Minerva Hinchey Shelter (named for the Green Mountain Club’s long-time secretary) and on to Patch Hollow (at the base of Bear Mountain). After summitting Bear Mountain we’ll have a bit of downhill until the next climb - up to the junction of the AT and the White Rocks Cliff trail. At this point you enter a wonderful cairn “farm” with dozens of cairns randomly placed makes this spot a wonderfully interesting place for a break and contemplation. Do save some energy for the next beautiful spot on trail - Little Rock Pond Shelter and Campsites, complete with a sandy beach and gorgeous pristine high mountain pond - swim anyone?

Mileage: 14.8. Biggest overall elevation gain: about 1,500 feet. Biggest overall elevation loss: 750 feet (B, L, D)

Wonder what today will bring? More picturesque high mountain ponds, streams and summitting more peaks, what else! Today we’ll have some excellent opportunities for picture taking of beautiful forest streams and ponds as well as views from the top of both Peru Peak and Styles Peak. We end our day at the interestingly named Mad Tom Notch - an excellent beginning for an AT story!

Mileage: 12.1. Biggest overall elevation gain: 1,877 feet (B, L, D)

Our last day on trail and what a good day this will be. We’ll go back to Mad Tom Notch and turn south for one last time. Our first peak will be Bromley Peak - part of the Bromley Ski Resort and gives us a beautiful 360-degree view of the surrounding area. After enjoying this perfect vista, we’ll head to Spruce Peak and then onto Prospect Rock - each offering their own beauty and vista. Sadly, we’ll see our shuttle and we’ll have to leave the woods for now, but we’ll enjoy our celebration tonight of a great week on the AT (and the Long Trail).

Mileage: 10.4. Biggest overall elevation gain: 600 feet (B, L, D)

After sharing one final breakfast together, we’ll have to leave our vacation home and head back to the airport for those flying out. But we’ll leave with wonderful memories and plans to continue our quest to hike the Appalachian Trail.