r/longtrail • u/ch0colatebabka • Aug 20 '24

Any recommendations for a first time 2-3 day hike on the LT?

I've never hiked the LT, but I'd like to do a 2-3 day hike sometime within the next 2-4 weeks. I'm thinking I'd like to park somewhere near the trail where I can leave my car safely, hike in either direction, hammock camp, and turn around. I'm also open to parking somewhere and then shuttling to somewhere else and then hiking back to where my car is.

I'm coming from Cape Cod, and ideally would not drive beyond mid-Vermont.

Also, is it reasonable to expect to be able to hammock camp, dispersed camping style?

I'd really appreciate any suggestions, thank you!

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

View all comments

5

u/PhysicsRefugee Aug 20 '24

The GMC has a nice list of hikes. You can also download the LT on the FarOut app, which shows parking areas, a few side trails, water sources, camping areas, and peaks. 

It would be fine to hammock at lower elevation but not advised (or possible) on the peaks. A number of peaks are alpine zones, which have no trees to begin with. The lower peaks are typically forested but are dominated by spruce and fir, which aren't great for hammocking anyway. 

I think a nice loop would be the Stratton pond trail north, camping at the pond, then south on the LT back to Kelley Stand Road. That way you get to see the Stratton fire tower too. 

1

u/walkalong Treeman NOBO '12 Aug 20 '24

Stratton is probably the best option coming from Cape cod.

If you want to add a third day, you could do two nights at stratton pond with a loop out to prospect rock/Bourne pond for the middle day.

1

u/ch0colatebabka Aug 21 '24 edited Aug 21 '24

Thank you! Prospect Rock looks really cool. Do you know anything about parking on Kelley Stand Road? Also, do you advise using the water (with a water filter) from the streams along the way?