The U.S. Forest Service has reopened the last stretch of the
Long Trail closed due to damage from tropical storm Irene. Three
miles of trail in Shrewsbury remained closed for a month - weeks
after the rest of the Long Trail reopened following the forest
closure.
"I am pleased to hear that this stretch of the Long Trail is being
reopened following damage from Tropical Storm Irene," Gov. Peter
Shumlin said. "The Long Trail is important to Vermont's
recreational and tourism economy, and restoring access to this
beautiful trail is one more sign of progress in our state's long
road to recovery from Irene."
The Green Mountain Club proposed a detour of the Long
Trail/Appalachian Trail around the washouts in Shrewsbury damage
and received word over the weekend that the detour had been
accepted, posted, and opened. The Appalachian Trail coincides
with the Long Trail in that area and, thus, was also closed for
more than a month.
Sargent Brook and Gould Brook washed away much of the three mile
segment of the Long Trail footpath in the Killington area. A
town road bridge utilized by the trail was also washed away and is
impassable. Due to the damage, hikers will have to walk on
Wilmouth Hill and Gilman Roads to avoid the damaged area. The
club is working with its partners to map out a plan for returning
the trail to the forest.
Many side trails in the Green Mountain National Forest remain
closed. The Green Mountain Club is working with the Forest
Service to reopen trails that can be safely used.
The Green Mountain Club manages the Long Trail from Massachusetts
to Quebec. The longer Appalachian Trail was inspired by the
Long Trail and collocates with Vermont's trail from the southern
border of Vermont to Killington. The Appalachian Trail then
bears east to Norwich, Vt. Much of that portion of scenic
trail is also managed by the club.
The Green Mountain Club, established the Long Trail in 1911 and
partnered with the Green Mountain National Forest when it was
established in 1932. Together they manage the trails in
southern Vermont. North of the national forest, the club partners
with private land owners and the state of Vermont to manage the
trail.
Tagged:
Long Trail, hiking, Shrewsbury, Green Mountain National Forest
