Slackpacking Vermont
Rutland, VT
Hiking and Slackpacking
Make It Your Adventure
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Vermont's mountains aren't called the Green Mountains for nothing! This section of the Appalachian Trail is characterized by dense and verdant forests, offering great autumn foliage and a chance to get away from the crowds. In Vermont, the AT also coincides with the Long Trail beginning at the Massachusetts border, just north of Mount Greylock. The two trails share a footpath for 100 miles through southern Vermont, crossing notable peaks such as Stratton and Bromley. Killington Mountain in central Vermont marks the first time the AT reaches an elevation of 4,000 feet since Tennessee. We'll cover approximately 50 miles, returning at the end of the day to our lodging near the small town of Plymouth, VT. You'll hike significant mileage on this trip - between 7.5 - 12.2 miles each day, which requires being in excellent physical condition. Maximum group size: 8
Highlights
- Hiking both the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail in Vermont
- Walking through beautiful and historic Vermont in fabulous autumn weather
- Standing atop Killington Mountain where the state was christened 'Verd-Mont' in 1763
- Hiking the Clarendon Gorge, swimming in a high mountain lake, enjoying spectacular vistas
- Returning to a comfortable bed and hot shower at the end of every day
- Sharing adventure and learning the lore of the Appalachian Trail
- Carrying only what you need for the day on your back
Inclusions
- 2-3 experienced AGC guides based on group size
- Six nights lodging
- All meals from dinner on first day through breakfast the last day
-
Daily shuttles back and forth to the trailhead
What's not included: Airfare/travel to/from Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT), alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, and travel insurance.
Trip Info
This trip involves hiking from 7.5 to 12 miles a day (see the itinerary for daily mileage) with significant elevation changes and footing that is rocky and uneven at times. It requires being in excellent physical condition. While you can always choose to stay at the house for the day, there are no options for shortening the daily hikes. This trip is rated a 5 due to the rocky, muddy, and slippery conditions often found in Vermont at this time of year. Prior to beginning the trip, participants should be engaged in aerobic conditioning for at least 40-50 minutes 4-5 times a week. Participants should feel comfortable hiking up to 8 hours a day for multiple days in a row. Additional endurance exercise and strength training is required to fully enjoy the trip. Please do not underestimate the fitness needed to hike the Appalachian Trail in Vermont; the trail is rugged and full of exposed tree roots and rocks, steep in many places and true to its reputation - muddy! Rating: 1 2 3 4 [5].
This is a hiking trip on the Vermont section of the legendary Appalachian Trail. The AT runs along the same path in this particular section as the Vermont Long Trail - the first long distance hiking trail in the US. You will be hiking in the mountains with constant elevation gain and loss on a trail that is rocky and steep.
This historic 1840's house has undergone a COMPLETE gut renovation and combines modern amenities with streamlined country tradition. The perfect getaway for hikers who want to have comfort within their country retreat. This 4700 square foot lofty beauty sleeps 19 in 6 separate bedrooms and a sleep loft. The house is located 15 minutes to Okemo and 10 minutes to Killington Skyeship Gondola. There is a separate yoga room, with yoga mats, blankets, and blocks.
Trip Resources
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
4.8
(32 reviews)*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
The opportunity to hike on the AT which added mileage to my section hiking done already
The guides were amazing; the rapport, level of experience and attention to everyone's needs always amazes me.
Where do I start?! The guides, the participants, the food, the weather, the hikes, Vermont. I turned 74 today so every successful trip is special to me.
Not only the beautiful hikes and great weather, but the three guides worked in harmony like they were best buddies. They really supported the group, and that helped set mutual camaraderie for all of us, I think. Fun group of gals.
The guides made this trip special. Claire, Annika and Ellie provided a sense of belonging, togetherness, and most importantly laughter. They were very organized and provided information in a timely manner so I could be ready for each day. They also provided amazing weather!!
Our 3 guides, they are top notch. Of course Claire is exceptional! Food was better than any restaurant. And the camaraderie of all of us made for an enjoyable trek.
The guides were amazing and as a group we connected really well.
The hikes were challenging and new terrain for me. The camaraderie among the three guides was phenomenal. I got to reconnect with ver old friends, whom I came with, and newer old friends from a previous AGC trip
The guides made this trip special for me. They attended to all logistics, gave advice on gear and tactics, kept us safe, helped us pace ourselves throughout the day but also enjoy the individual moments, and they did it with a sense of joy and empathy, communicating that there was nowhere else they would rather be. Also I got to experience and see things I never would have seen on my own, because I never would have attempted a trip this difficult without the support of a group: The hike straight up and down between three-story-high rock walls, the suspension bridge in the middle of nowhere, the trees growing out of rocks, the cairn field, even the bogs were an experience to remember with amazement.
I love hiking the AT, the guides were excellent, and accommodations were nice. Also, a great group of ladies!
The three guides were great! They handeled several unexpected problems like a kaput water heater at the house where we stayed and an inoperable gondola the group was supposed to take to the AT wonderfully!
The guides were all very good and helpful and I enjoyed the company of the other participants. Everyone was very friendly
Trip was well organized and thought out. All the guides were so helpful, but also not intrusive. And the food was amazing!!!
The guides, especially Clair. They go out of their way to make you feel that you have everything you need. And if not, that they would get it for you! Their knowledge base was phenomenal.
The group of women clicked really well and the guides were great!
The Trail was gorgeous in VT. The group well matched. The guides excellent.
Getting to experience hiking in the beautiful Vermont.
Hike leaders, Claire, Laura, and Chloe. The facilities, lots of bathrooms, and single rooms, and walking distance to Ludlow center. The AT in Vermont
The house, guides, hiking, and fellow travelers
Hiking the AT in Vermont made it special. It was fantastic, beautiful and challenging.
Getting back on the Trail after 5 years away. Meeting a great group of ladies and hiking in a beautiful area. Not having to worry about the logistics or cooking :)
I was able to challenge myself physically in a beautiful setting with a terrific group of women.
This was a very challenging trail for me. The guides (Claire, Kaitlyn, Jody) were all excellent. They worked well together and made the technical aspects of this trail feel safe and manageable. The meals and lodging were excellent. Claire's cooking is the best. It was nice to see old friends from other AGC trips and make some new ones. The group was cohesive and fun. I hope to hike with all of them again.
Awesome group of women and guides. The accommodations were great for getting to know everyone and Claire, Kaitlyn and Jody did a great job with meals.
Our guides were wonderful and the best part of the trip. The food (Claire Lukas!) was exceptional.
Friendliness and supportiveness of Claire, Jody and Kaitlyn, Super and efficient organization, and wonderful food, not to mention all the great ladies on the trip.
It was cool being on the inaugural trip. The accommodations were great! I loved the ruggedness of the trail, and the fact that this is a less-trafficked section.
Everything. The guides were great, our hikes challenging, and our food and lodging were excellent. We also had a great group of participants (as usual)!
I enjoyed hiking this gorgeous area with a group of great women. There were some issues with scheduling due to the gondola schedule that unfortunately caused shortening of mileage from the published itinerary. The guides were overall very good. Though this trip was more technically difficult than expected, I learned and gained new skills, and felt good about my accomplishments.
The guides were exceptional on this trip. They kept us safe and well-cared for at all times. The accommodation's were good, the food was fantastic, and the hiking each day was beautiful and challenging.
Location, ease of being in one place the whole time, guides.
Hiking in the beautiful woods of Vermont. Successfully navigating the tough terrain. Being with old and new AGC friends.
- Where do we eat?
The guides will be cooking breakfasts and most dinners at the lodging. You'll go out for one dinner where you can order off the menu; other nights you'll relax in the lodging and have dinner there. For lunches, before you leave in the morning the guides will put out lunch 'fixings' and you'll take a packed lunch. - What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
We can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-friendly although we can not guarantee a completely gluten-free diet, if we know well in advance. If you’re severely allergic or if you have other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. If you're vegan or require a specialized diet, you may want to bring some additional foods to supplement the provided food. - I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we'll randomly pair you up with someone else.
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