Map 3 - USFS10 (Danby) to U.S. Route 4 (Tucker Johnson Shelter) - The Long Trail, VT
This section of the Long Trail End to End guide begins at USFS 10 just past Big Branch Shelter and the town of Danby. Along the way we visit Lula Tye, Little Rock Pond, Greenwall, Minerva Hinchey, Clarendon, Gov. Clement, Cooper Lodge and Churchill Scott Shelters. Just north of US Route 4 is Tucker Johnson Shelter. Town stop options along the way are Wallingford, Clarendon and Rutland with Rutland being the most prevalent.
Trail Tips:
Leaving Big Branch the terrain is pretty steady until you reach Governor Clement Shelter. It's fairly easy to grab some decent miles along this stretch. If you have re-supplied in Manchester, the best place to stop and grab a hot meal along the way to Route 4 and Rutland is in Clarendon at the newly re-opened Whistle Stop Cafe.
The Country Squire Motel in Clarendon is no longer open. The proprietor passed away last year.
Minerva Hinchey shelter has issues with small rodents. Be prepared to hang your food, packs AND boots.
Governor Clement shelter has had a gate installed at the access road about a mile from the shelter to control town traffic. Vehicles can no longer directly access the shelter from May to October. When coming out of the trees into the clearing for the shelter, turn to your right. There is a large stand of pines with a lot of duff on the floor. For you tenters, this is a nice quiet, comfortable spot top tent in.
There is a "Secret" shelter on private land about a 1/2 mile before Gov. Clement run by Swansong and her husband. Here are the directions to the shelter going northbound... heading north on the LT, as you approach Governor Clement, there will be two wooden bridges you cross. At the second bridge is an old forest road. Turn left and follow the road. Towards the end of the road on the right (1/4 to half mile) is a cairn leading to the path in the woods that brings you to the Swansong Shelter.
You have a bit of a climb up a gorge to Beacon Hill out of Clarendon. If you eat heavily at the Whistle Stop, consider taking a break and digesting a bit before heading up the scramble. There are boulders the size of a car there :)
Cooper Lodge gets thick with flies during Black Fly season making it near impossible to be indoors during the daytime. Since black flies cannot see in the dark, they clear out towards evening. Don't miss the chance to drop your packs at Cooper and climb up Killington Peak. There is a snack shop at the peak you can grab soemthign different from in the summertime. Also, the roof over the bunks farthest from the door leaks during rainstorms so be aware if you sleep on that end of the shelter.
Wallingford, VT
You can reach Wallingford at the LT/Route 140 junction and trailhead. Wallingford is 3.5 miles west of the junction. Wallingford is best recommended for a food stop at either Sal's Pizza or Mom's Country Kitchen. Or, due to the Post office its a good location for a food drop.
Mom's Country Kitchen - 27 North Main St - 802.446.2606 - MAP - Mom's is open for breakfast and lunch only so if you plan on stopping here it needs to be early in the day.
Sal's Italian Restaurant (Pizza) - 15 South Main St - 802.775.3360 - MAP - Sal's is open for lunch and dinner. Excellent gourmet pizza and calzones. There is an additional location in Rutland as well.
United States Post Office - 137 North Main St - 802.446.2140 - MAP - Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00am to 4:30pm - Saturday 9:00am to Noon
Clarendon, VT
In the past Clarendon used to be a nice little spot to take a zero day. There was a decently priced motel run by a very nice lady, a general store and our favorite restaurant on the whole trail, the Whistle Stop Cafe. However, the motel has closed since the summer of 2008 due to the death of the proprietor. The Whistle Stop also closed in 2008 but has recently re-opened. The Clarendon Gorge is a beautiful view and you can always find a ride at the trailhead even though the Whistle Stop is only a 1/2 mile from trail head.
Whistle Stop Cafe - 212 Route 103 - 802.747.7070 - MAP - The current Whistle Stop hours are 5 days a week - Closed Mon & Tue - Wed & Thu 6:30am to 2:30pm - Fri & Sat 6:30am to 7pm - Sun 7:00am to 2:30pm --- Hours may expand for summertime.
Clarendon General Store - 1/2 mile further west of Whistle Stop - 802.786.0948 - Hours are 7:30 to 7:30 Monday thru Saturday and 7:30 to 6 on Sunday's.
Mike's Country Store - North of Clarendon general Store on Route 7 about a 1/2 mile - 802.773.7100 - Mike's is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. They carry convenience style foods.
Rutland, VT & Killington, VT
Killington has two important distinctions. First, this is where the AT makes a right turn and heads to Maine while the Long Trail continues north. Second, the Inn at the Long Trail might as well be considered an institution or even a right of passage. Additionally, a full service outfitter is located at Killington, Basecamp VT Outfitters.
Rutland is the last major town on your Northbound End to End journey. There are a whole range of hiker friendly services in Rutland and it is a great place to re-supply, eat some good food and or take a zero day to get some rest before resuming your hike. If venturing into town is something you just don't want to do, your second option is to have your supply box shipped to the Inn at the Long Trail which is only 4/10ths of a mile from the LT trailhead. There you can eat a great dinner, re-supply from your own materials, get a shower, do laundry. Optionally, there is a shuttle bus that operates from Rutland to the trailhead. You might just want to stay at Churchill Scott the night before, catch the bus in the morning, do all of your town business, the come back and hike a mile and half in to the Tucker Johnson shelter.
Inn at the Long Trail - 709 Route 4, Killington - 802.775.7181 - http://www.innatlongtrail.com - The Inn will open on June 12th this year - The Inn is to the east of the LT trailhead 4/10ths of a mile. The Inn has special walk in hiker rates ()no reservations on hiker rates). In addition there is a water spigot outside the building, mail drops available, a hiker box, free camping across the street and the bus from Marble Valley Regional transit makes a stop here as well. Murray and Patty McGrath are your hosts at the Inn. Visiting this hiker favorite is a must if you're in the area.
Back Home Again Hiker Hostel - 23 Center Street, Rutland - 802.775.9800 - http://www.backhomeagaincafe.com - The Hostel located at the Back Home Again Cafe has been operating now for about five years. The suggested donation is $15.00 and there is space for 16 people. There may be a "work-for-stay" option available. Laundry, showers, kitchenette and the cafe are all available.
There are a variety of lodging options at both Killington and Rutland. It all boils down to money and personal preference. We have included the two most popular options above. For other options in Rutland serach on major motel chains. For Killington check with the resorts and B&B's.
Rutland Post Office - 173 West Street - 802.773.0223 - MAP - The Rutland Post Office is located downtown near the Wal-Mart, Price Chopper, and Back Home Again Hostel. They are open Mon-Sat until 6:30pm - The map link above indicates 151 West Street but the PO is located at 173.
Inn at the Long Trail - 709 Route 4, Killington - 802.775.7181 - http://www.innatlongtrail.com - The Inn will open on June 12th this year. They only accept drops via UPS/Fedex.
Price Chopper - 38 West Rutland Shopping Plaza - 802.747.7880 - MAP - Open 24 hours a day - Pharmacy available.
Grand Union - 12 North Main St - 802.775.6986 - MAP - Hours are 7 days a week from 7am to 11pm.
Back Home Again Cafe - 23 Center St - 802.775.9800 - MAP - http://www.backhomeagaincafe.com - Cafe Hours are M-TH 11am to 9pm & Fri 11am to 3pm - Closed Saturday and Sunday.
In general Rutland has many restaurants of all types to choose from. Your best bet is to find your lodging, look in a phone book and make your choice. We included the Back Home Again Cafe because of their absolute friendliness to hikers. They also run a Hostel so it makes for a convenient option.
BaseCamp Outfitters - 2363 Route 4, Killington - 802-775-0166 - MAP - http://www.basecampvt.com - Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm / Sat-Sun 8am - 6pm - Basecamp Outfitters is a full range hiking outfitter in the summer. Any products you have that they sell.. if it's under warranty, they will honor the warranty on those products. They sell fuel, packs, poles, shoes, boots, food, cookware and shelters. They also have a hikers box. You can easily get to Basecamp by hitching, walking, or catching the bus at The Inn at the Long Trail.
Eastern Mountain Sports - 825 Route 7 South (Diamond Run Mall) - 802.773.9782 - MAP - http://www.ems.com - Hours: Mon - Sat 10am to 9pm and Sun 11am - 5pm - Eastern Mountain Sports carries a full range of hiking gear and will assist with trekking pole repairs. Canister Fuel available.
Rutland Free Library - 10 Court St, Rutland - 802.773.1860 - MAP - http://www.rutlandfree.org - HOURS: Monday 9-9 / Tuesday 11:30-9 / Wednesday 11:30-9 / Thursday 9-5:30 / Friday 9-5:30 / Saturday 9-5 and closed on Sunday
Rutland Taxi - 802.236.3133 - They will come out to the Inn at the Long Trail
Marble Valley Regional Transit - 802-773-3244 - http://www.thebus.com - NOTICE: This is one of the most important pieces of infromation on this page and for good reason. The Marble Valley RT system is the bus that gets you from Killington to Rutland for 2 bucks an adult. In addition, they have buses running to and from Manchester Center, Brandon, and Middlebury. This can allow you several options during your hike on the Long Trail. We are providing a PDF here on our servers of the 2009 schedule that runs from downtown to Killington. EXACT CHANGE IS NEEDED! - CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE
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