​​v​​olunteer long trail patrol

Experience life on the Long Trail. Sponsored jointly by the Green Mountain Club and the ATC, the ​Volunteer Long Trail Patrol (VLTP) works on heavy construction projects on hiking trails in Vermont, including the co-aligned Appalachian Trail and Long Trail.

The experiences of working together, learning new skills and backcountry living make an unbeatable combination of fun. No experience is necessary, but you must be 18 years or older. Training, equipment, and room and board are provided. Crews will travel to primitive backcountry sites from the base camp.


VOLUNTEER WITH ​THE CREW TODAY

VLTP 2016 Volunteers

base camp

The crew is based at the Green Mountain National Forest Mount Tabor Work Center, on the site of the historic Danby Camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, builders of Forest Road 10 and many original A.T. shelters in Vermont. The camp has full amenities including plumbing, electricity, and big screen TV and is shared with seasonal Forest Service employees. Crew members sleep in four-bunk dorm rooms. Ample parking is provided.

VLTP 2016 gully waterbar partway

field life & working conditions

Trail work is hard, physical labor. Trail construction involves working with hand tools, and getting dirty is guaranteed. The crews work eight-hour days, rain or shine, hot or cold, regardless of black flies, mosquitoes, and other insects. During the course of the crew season, the weather can vary from sweaty, summertime heat to freezing, winter-like cold.

Read an interview with VLTP crew leaders Sam and Darcy about what VLTP is and what to expect.

2018 volunteer long trail patrol schedule & crew week 

Week Dates Project Description
1 June 29 - July 3 Branch Pond Trail Trail improvement on the Branch Pond Trail in the Lye Brook Wilderness of the Green Mountain National Forest
2 July 6 - 10 Branch Pond Trail Trail improvement on the Branch Pond Trail in the Lye Brook Wilderness of the Green Mountain National Forest
3 July 13 - 17 Branch Pond Trail Trail improvement on the Branch Pond Trail in the Lye Brook Wilderness of the Green Mountain National Forest
4 July 20 - 24 Branch Pond Trail Trail improvement on the Branch Pond Trail in the Lye Brook Wilderness of the Green Mountain National Forest
5 July 27 - 31 TBD TBD
6 August 3 - 7 TBD TBD

contact us

Contact the Green Mountain Club at 802.244.7037 or [email protected] with any questions.