Section Hiking on the Vermont Long Trail – Appalachian Gap to Lincoln Gap.
For this backpacking trip, my dog Denali & I will be doing a 2 day, 1 night camping trip in Northern Vermont. The specific area we’ll be camping near is called the Stark’s Nest, on a section of the Long Trail between Appalachian Gap and Lincoln Gap, 40 mins west of Montpelier, VT.
As seen in the video, use this link above get your free camping pillow from Outdoor Vitals for a limited time.
For an easier read, check out my full blog post here: http://www.sintax77.com/vermont-long-trail-section-hike-camping-at-starks-nest
The Vermont Long Trail is a 273 mile, long distance hiking trail that runs the entire length of Vermont, from the southern border with MA all the way north to the Canadian border. The first hundred miles in the south coincide with the Appalachian Trail as well. I’ll be backpacking and camping just a short bit of the Long Trail – an 8 mile section in the North Country of Vermont on private land & the Green Mountain National Forest.
Disclosure: A commission may be received for purchases through links in this post. Your support is appreciated and makes the backpacking trip videos on this channel possible. Be smart, make your own informed decisions, duh. 😉
GPS Data for this trip can be found on my Trip Data Page.
http://www.sintax77.com/trip-data/
Or in the blog post linked above.
Includes full track data for each day, and way-points for campsites used, water sources, etc.
Trailhead Used:
Appalachian Gap Trailhead Parking Area – 44°12’39.7″N 72°55’53.5″W
Large, paved parking area on SR17. The Long Trail South (which I took in the video) is on the opposite side of the road. The Long Trail North (which I didn’t take) is located right in the corner of the lot, by the guardrail.
Trails Used & Itinerary, Day 1:
Park at the Appalachian Gap Trailhead
Take Vermont Long Trail South (located on the other side of the road. Look for the white blaze
Arrive at Stark’s Nest warming hut and grab some water from the rain barrel.
Note: Stark’s Nest is a ski hut. In winter, it’s used to take a break & warm up in between ski runs at Mad River Glen Ski Resort. While this is private property, it’s kept open & available to hikers year round as a place to break or camp for the night while hiking the Long Trail. There is a rain barrel out front for a water source & a composting outhouse is nearby.
Set up camp down the ski slope near Stark’s Nest
Day 1 Mileage: 3 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,501′
Day 1 Gross Elevation Descent: 283′
Trails Used, Itinerary Day 2:
Leave camp and head back uphill to the Stark’s Nest.
Continue south on the Vermont Long Trail.
End at the ski lift area on Mt Ellen for a break and some views.
Backtrack out the way you came, via the Long Trail North.
Arrive back at the Stark’s Nest.
Breakdown camp, pack up and replenish water supplies.
Backtrack out on the Vermont Long Trail North.
Arrive back at the Appalachian Gap Trailhead Parking area.
Day 2 Mileage: 8 miles (5 round-trip for Mt Ellen, 3 for the hike out from Stark’s Nest)
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,566′
Day 2 Gross Elevation Descent: 2,919′
Trip Totals:
Grand Total Mileage: 11 Miles
Grand Total Elevation Gain: 3,067′
Notable Backpacking Gear Seen & Used:
Notch Classic Operator Hat https://amzn.to/2xNSMXE
Gregory Optic 48 Backpack https://amzn.to/2KOLsTp
Dutchware Argon Pack Cover https://dutchwaregear.com/product/waterproof-pack-cover/
Kelty Salida 2 Tent https://amzn.to/2RcHsME
Big Agnes Q-Core SL Sleeping Pad https://amzn.to/2NP4afX
Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad https://amzn.to/2zGM72L
Hammock Gear Burrow 40 top quilt http://www.hammockgear.com/burrow-40/
Outdoor Vitals Inflatable Camp Pillow (get a free one with this link) https://tribe.outdoorvitals.com/sintax-free-pillow
Alite Mayfly Camping Chair https://amzn.to/2ItzfQq
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter https://amzn.to/2LCh4sp
HydraPak Seeker Water Bladder, 2L https://amzn.to/2OZRQpL
DIY Alcohol Stove made by viewer Kieth
DIY Alcohol Stove made by viewer Triple Nickle Outdoors on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/muzzo909
Toaks 450ml Titanium Cup https://amzn.to/2GLboZV
Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel https://amzn.to/2OtMYvQ
Platypus 2L Water Bladder https://amzn.to/2zHdtpD
Sea To Summit Alpha Light Long Spork https://amzn.to/2y4sek8
Vermont Long Trail Map, by Green Mountain Club https://amzn.to/2RbTwhp
Notable Dog Gear:
2 Piece Dog Sleeping Bag made by Pim at https://www.justhanging.eu/
OutdoorMaster Bungee Dog Leash http://amzn.to/2lNuYMK
One Tigris Dog Pack – Canvas Dog Backpack http://amzn.to/2tlodYN
Dog-Gone Dish – Collapsible Travel Pet Dish http://amzn.to/2lQos88
Nite Ize Nite Dawg LED Dog Collar Cover http://amzn.to/2CnWBTL
Kevlar 2.2 Tree Straps from Dutchware Gear https://dutchwaregear.com/product/kevlar-tree-straps/, used as an ultralight dog leash / lead around camp.
