Green Mountain Club - Killington Section

Spirit in Nature Trail
2025-08-10 | Ripton, VT, Ripton, VT, United States
Afternoon hike on the paths of Spirit in Nature, near the Robert Frost Trail in Ripton. As its website says “Immerse yourself in nature by walking any of the 14 paths. Each path is 1/7th to 1.5 miles long and includes posted sayings along the way to remind you how deeply connected faith tradition is to nature. Learn. Meditate. Relax. Enjoy. After walking the paths, come to the peaceful Sacred Circle, a large 60-foot diameter circle surrounded by towering white pines.” Paths are Hindu, Jewish, Moslem, Bahai, Friends(Quaker), Christian, Pagan, Buddhist, Unitarian Universalist, Native American, Druid, Children’s, Interfaith Peace Path and access paths, and a labyrinth. How many paths we take will depend on how far anyone wants to walk. Elevation change is slight and footing is mostly good to excellent. Contact leader for meeting place and time.

Birdseye Mountain
2025-08-24 | Castleton, VT, Castleton, VT, United States
We’ll attack it from the north side, ascending steeply at times up a dirt-track road to a view of the Green Mountains and Taconics to the north. From there we will have the option to continue to the south summit, a challenging traverse up and over several more humps. Minimum 5-mile round trip, difficult, with some steep climbing. Call the leader for meeting time and place.

Long Trail Day, State-wide
2025-09-20 | VT
This Green Mountain Club celebration of the Long Trail features events and guided hikes around the state. Join the Killington Section in some “trail magic” as we welcome through-hikers and day hikers with snacks at the Route 103 trailhead.

Long Trail Lodge Historical Marker Unveiling, Killington
2025-09-27 | Killington, VT, Killington, VT, United States
Join us for the official unveiling of the new Vermont historical marker at the site of the Long Trail Lodge. Completed in 1923 and lost to fire in 1968, the lodge served as the first Green Mountain Club clubhouse. Killington Section president Herb Ogden and lodge historian David Wright will speak at 4 p.m., at the top of Sherburne Pass, across the highway from the Inn at Long Trail.

Greenwall Shelter, Wallingford
2025-10-04 | Wallingford, VT, Wallingford, VT, United States
Hike south on the AT/LT to Greenwall Shelter, with an option to continue on to the rock garden and White Rocks Vista for a view. 4-5 miles, moderate, with some steep climbing, 1240 ft. elevation gain to the lookout. Rain date Sunday. Call for meeting time and place.

The Ball, Arlington
2025-10-11 | Arlington, VT, Arlington, VT, United States
Enjoy hiking from Old West Road up a beautiful waterway. The beginning of the trail will be fairly gentle, along an old logging road, but then kicks up to some pretty steep pitches. After hitting the top of the ridge we’ll take a short spur to the lookout for exceptional views. 6 miles, elevation gain: 1750 ft., moderate to difficult. Call for meeting place and time.

Rochester Mountain, Rochester
2025-10-25 | VT
A steep climb on an old highway at first, then more moderate. Fine east views from the 2848’ summit. 3.2 miles round trip, 1300 ft. elevation gain

“Put the Trail to Bed” Work Party
2025-11-01 | VT
Join us for our last-of-the-season work day and help us keep the Killington Section trails in shape. Bring lunch, water, sturdy shoes and work gloves, tools will be provided. If you don’t want to wield a saw, you may still be able to help out with clipping, clearing waterbars or transportation, so give the leaders a call for meeting place and time.

Little Pond Trail to Glastenbury Wilderness, Woodford
2025-11-08 | VT
We’ll climb an old wood road to Little Pond, then take a spur trail to the Long Trail and hike south a few tenths of a mile to Porcupine Lookout for great views to the east. Difficult, 6 miles at a moderate pace. Great for those working on Side to Side certification. Call leader by 5 p.m. Friday to sign up, and be prepared for an early start.

Mount Tom, Woodstock
2025-11-15 | Woodstock, VT, Woodstock, VT, United States
A safe hike for hunting season on the carriage roads at Vermont’s only National Park. Featuring beautiful views from the summit and an award-winning movie in the visitor center telling the history of the property and the three families who called it home. Call for meeting place and time. 3-5 miles, easy to moderate, some climbing.

Equinox Preserve, Manchester
2025-12-06 | Mancheter, VT, Manchester, VT, United States
We’ll hike a combination of routes in this beautiful natural area on the lower elevations of Mount Equinox. Distance and difficulty will depend on which we choose, but likely 4-6 miles with some climbing and some flatter terrain. Snowshoes may be needed if the weather demands. Rain date Sunday. Call for meeting place and time.

Wildcat Crag, Chittenden
2025-12-13 | Chittenden, VT, Chittenden, VT, United States
Hike to Leffert’s Pond and then climb to the summit of Wildcat Crag. Snowshoes or grippers may be needed, dependent on the weather conditions, rain date Sunday. Difficult, 5 miles, with about 1000’ elevation gain. Call for meeting place and time.

Mendon Peak, Mendon
2026-01-03 | Mendon, VT, Mendon, United States
Climb Rutland County’s highest trailless peak on the well-established bushwack route following Eddy Brook. Enjoy views of Killington Peak to the east and the hills of Shrewsbury to the south. 7 miles, difficult with a 2000-ft elevation gain. Snowshoes will be required. Call for the meeting place and time.

Lapland Pond, Lake George Wild Forest, Dresden
2026-01-10 | Dresden, NY, Dresden, NY, United States
Hike moderately rolling hills past several remote ponds. Minimal elevation gain, 5 miles, moderate. Option to continue to Millman Pond depending on conditions and group preference. Snowshoes or grippers may be needed. Call leader for meeting place and time. Must call by 5 p.m. Friday to sign up.

Hot Dog Roast, Location TBA
2026-01-17 | VT
We’re reviving a popular mid-winter tradition. Join us for a short hike or snowshoe followed by lunch in the outdoors. Bring hot dogs or whatever you want to roast over the fire. We’ll decide on a location based on the conditions at the time. Snowshoes or grippers may be needed. Call for meeting place and time.

Aitken State Forest East Road, Mendon
2026-01-24 | Mendon, VT, Mendon, United States
We’ll follow the East Road south from the Tamarack Notch trailhead, then follow another good wood road east to the edge of the State Forest, where there’s a wide view to the west. Round trip 4.8 mi., total climb about 600’, moderate difficulty. We’ll hike unless there’s enough snow for snowshoeing or skiing. Bad weather date January 31.

Sugar Hollow Brook, Pittsford
2026-02-14 | Pittsford, VT, Pittsford, VT, United States
Celebrate Valentines Day with a short but scenic afternoon hike or snowshoe featuring a babbling brook and a fearsome beast! Bring hot drinks and treats to share if you’d like. 1.5 miles, mostly easy with a short climb, option to go longer if we choose. Bad weather date Sunday. Call for meeting time and place

Chittenden Brook Ski, Chittenden
2026-02-28 | Chittenden, VT, Chittenden, VT, United States
This trip requires advanced backcountry skiing skills, including the ability to make at least controlled snowplow turns. Climbing skins are not necessary. We must have two or more cars – leaving one at the Chittenden Brook pull-out on route 73 we’ll head to Brandon Gap and ski the relatively easy ascent south on the Long Trail to the Chittenden Brook Trail (2.3 mi.). This 1.8-mile trail, though not generously wide and gentle, was designed with skiing in mind. It has just enough space and runout to be fun. Once we reach the campground, it’s an easy 2.5-mile ski out to route 73 on a logging road. Call for meeting place and time.

Wildcat Crag, Chittenden
2026-03-14 | VT

Maple Weekend Hike or Snowshoe, Poultney area
2026-03-21 | VT
Approximately 3 1/2 – 5 miles. It is Maple Festival weekend in the Poultney region, so there are several sugar houses open to the public, as well as a number of events happening in Poultney.

Mendon Road Walk, Mendon
2026-04-04 | VT
We’ll begin at the Tamarack Notch Aitken State Forest parking area, walk the Wheelerville Road to McLauchlin Falls, stopping along the way to visit Lydia’s Cemetery, take the road that leads south into Shrewsbury, leave it at the little Wilkins Cemetery, cross the Cold River on the old Notch Road bridge, and follow a wood road back to the start. The loop is about five miles of mostly easy walking, with a total climb of about 500’.

Mud Season Mystery Meander, Location TBA
2026-04-11 | VT
Is it winter? Is it spring? There’s no telling this time of year in Vermont, so we’ll play it by ear and choose a destination appropriate for the conditions closer to the date.

Prospect Mountain Trail, Lake George, NY
2026-04-18 | VT
This rocky trail climbs steeply along the bed of an old cable railway. We should have some great views on the way up this time of year, and at the top we’ll be rewarded with views of Lake George, the Adirondacks, and the Green Mountains. The toll road and visitors’ center will still be closed, so after exploring the summit we’ll have the option to return along the toll road at least part of the way if it’s a clear day. 3.5 miles, difficult at a moderate pace. Must call or text leader by 5 p.m. Friday to sign up.

The Elbow, Mendon
2026-04-25 | VT
We will hike the unmaintained part of the old Rutland to Stockbridge Turnpike over The Elbow from the Old Turnpike Road. in Mendon northeast to near Vt. 100, stopping to look at a kiln and detouring to an old farm site. 3.4 mi. easy, with about 200’ of climb.

Low-Elevation Long Trail Clean-up, Shrewsbury, Cuttingsville, Wallingford
2026-05-09 | VT
Join us for our annual day of clean-up and maintenance, preparing the Long Trail for the hiking season. We will clear waterbars, trim brush and cut blowdowns on the lower-elevation stretches. Bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, and lunch, tools will be provided.

Spring Wildflower Walk, location TBA
2026-05-16 | VT
An easy-to-moderate hike to admire the woodland flowers of spring. Mother Nature is fickle, so the location will be determined by how the season advances. Spring is also a great time to spot birds before the trees leaf out, so bring binoculars if you wish.

Merck Forest, Rupert
2026-05-23 | VT
We’ll hike the trails and wood roads that wind through the former farmland of Merck Forest. Depending on what route we choose there may be views, pastures, ponds or even a replica of Thoreau’s Walden Pond cabin. Approximately 4 miles, moderate. Call leaders for meeting place and time.

National Trails Day – Upper Elevation Work Party, Killington
2026-06-06 | Killington, VT, Killington, VT, United States
Outdoor enthusiasts all over the country will be out sprucing up the trails for the summer hiking season. Come lend a hand as we clear brush and water bars, paint blazes and cut blowdowns on the upper-elevation stretches of the Long Trail. Bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, lunch, water and bug spray, tools will be provided.

Mystery Hike, Destination to be determined
2026-06-20 | VT
It will be a moderate, 4 – 6 mile hike somewhere in the Taconic range, call the leader for more specifics and for meeting place and time.

Peru Peak, Mt, Tabor
2026-06-27 | Mt. Tabor, Mt. Tabor, United States
We’ll start at the Griffith Lake Trailhead on South End Road in Mount Tabor and ascend the Lake Trail to Griffith Lake, then follow the Long Trail / Appalachian Trail south to the top of Peru Peak. Quite the pitch at a 2700-foot elevation gain over about 5 miles; round trip mileage will be 10 miles minimum. Possible extensions to Styles Peak or Baker Peak if the group is willing. Contact hike leader for meeting place and time.
