Top Highlights for Rous Battery Track Historical Hiking in The Long Trail
Rous Battery Track Historical Hiking in The Long Trail
The Long Trail stands as America's oldest long-distance hiking trail, a 273-mile footpath forged across Vermont's Green Mountains from 1910 to 1930 by the Green Mountain Club, predating and inspiring the Appalachian Trail. Its historical battery of challenges—steep, direct ascents without switchbacks, muddy bogs, and hand-built stonework—preserves the raw essence of early 20th-century trailbuilding on ancestral Abenaki land. Hikers track this living history through white blazes on trees, summiting peaks like Mount Mansfield where pioneers once labored.
Top pursuits include section hikes to Maine Junction, where the LT diverges from the AT after 100 shared miles, and ascents to Camel’s Hump for views mirroring those of original surveyors. Delve into the Long Trail Historical Museum for artifacts from the first thru-hikes, or join GMC-led tours retracing James P. Taylor's vision. Side trails totaling 175 miles offer detours to forgotten relics like old shelters.
Hike June through September for stable weather, avoiding winter ice and spring mud that amplify the trail's rugged reputation. Expect 70 backcountry sites with lean-tos, but pack for self-sufficiency amid frequent rain. Prepare with fitness training for 30,000 feet of elevation gain over the full route.
The Green Mountain Club fosters a tight-knit community of maintainers and hikers, with annual gatherings celebrating milestones like the 1927 women's thru-hike. Local Vermonters share tales of defending the trail from development, blending Abenaki heritage with Yankee ingenuity. Insider hikes reveal unmarked historic blazes and volunteer-built features.
Tracing Long Trail's Historic Footpath
Plan thru-hikes or sections around Green Mountain Club permits for lean-tos, booking up to 3 months ahead via their website for peak summer. Target southbound starts from Massachusetts border to align with historical northward progression by early builders. Check GMC apps for real-time mud and blowdown updates, as the trail's rugged design demands flexible itineraries.
Pack for variable weather with layered wool and waterproof layers, as mud pits and steep inclines persist year-round on this pre-switchback path. Carry a physical Long Trail map from GMC stores, plus a headlamp for dawn starts at remote shelters. Join section hikes led by GMC chapters for insider stories on 100+ years of maintenance.