Join us for an overnight at the Goddard Shelter on the Appalachian/Long Trail, below a summit fire tower with spectacular views! It’s a 21.5 mile, two day backpacking trek. We will be hiking 10.1 miles with 2,640 feet on our first day and 11.7 miles on our trek out using the West Ridge Trail with 1,000 feet elevation gain.

There are few opportunities in Vermont for loop backpacking trips. This trek through remote forests and over several mountains, is an excellent exception! Glastonbury Mountain is at 3,748 feet and Bald Mountain, which we climb on our return trek, is 2,857 feet.  

We will maintain a steady hiking pace, stay together, and have ample rest breaks and take time to enjoy the magnificent views. The backpack will begin where Rte. 9 meets the Appalachian/Long Trail [AT], head north and ascent 700 feet in 0.7 mile over rutted, lichen-covered rock for a break at Melville Nauheim Shelter. At mile 5.8 we’ll reach at 3,331-feet the Little Pond Lookout, then follow the ridge to the Goddard Shelter at mile 10.1.

The Goddard Shelter is a lovely place with space for twelve, has a large porch and great views from within the shelter. The Shelter has been known to have serious black flies most of the season and heavily used. There is a reliable spring at the Goddard Shelter. Once we’re settled, we’ll take a quick .3-mile walk and climb to the top of the 50-foot-tall Mt. Glastonbury fire tower. It affords a 360-degree view, which includes more wild forest than can be seen from any other point on the Long Trail! 

We'll get together for cooking and eating our meals. After dinner we'll climb back up the fire tower and partake watching a delightful sunset. Afterwards we'll huddle around candles, drink whiskey and share stories. Please bring a candle and your own flask of whiskey. 

We’ll return back to our vehicles on Sunday using the West Ridge Trail where we'll have lunch at Bald Mountain after 7.7 miles. Wind-stunted pines dot the summit but we’ll get snippets of between-the-trees views of Glastonbury Mountain.

All participants are responsible for bringing a tent in case the shelter is full, cooking stove, food, sleeping bag, pad, clothing, etc. We recommend you contact another participant to share the load by splitting up the tent and share a stove/food for cooking. Jon and I will be carrying a water filter and first aid kit for the group.

This is going to be an awesome trip to kick off the start of summer! 

The trailhead is on the north side of VT 9, 5.2 miles east of Bennington and approximately one mile west of Woodford. We are going to spot a car on Hollow Road where we finish on the West Ridge Trail so we don't have to do any road walking.