Trip Report: Fall Walk-through in Smugglers Notch

LocationSmugglers Notch
Long TrailSmugglers Notch to Madonna
Elephants HeadSterling Pond to Vermont 108
LeaderJohn Buddington
Date13 October 2001
EventWork Hike
Participants10 Fred J, Michael C, Thomas W, Josh H, Tom N, Scott C, Joan S, Bill C, John B, Marty L.

We scheduled the fall walk-through at Smugglers Notch two weeks earlier than in previous years to avoid snow on the trail. The timing worked out: although snowfall a week earlier closed Vermont 108 and left more than a foot of snow near Laraway, snow had disappeared. On the other hand, not all the leaves had fallen, and so waterbars may yet be clogged.

The day started chilly with strong winds, but soon the sun warmed the notch to unseasonable temperatures. By midday it was mostly sunny with high clouds, temperatures in the 60s and a strong breeze.

We started hiking about 9:00 in Smugglers Notch and divided into two groups. One group of 5 cleared drainages on the Long Trail section between the notch and Sterling Pond. This group was quite aggressive in deepening drainages, even returning in the afternoon for a reprise.

The second party of 5 delivered two garbage cans to Watson Camp. We didn't receive instructions in time to do as intended: transfer the contents of the current privy bin to the new bins. (No complaints were heard.) This group, armed with clippers, 1 hazel hoe, and bow saws, worked from Sterling Shelter to Madonna Peak. We couldn't find a deadfall that was supposed to be on the trail, and instead severely cut back limbs in an overhead spruce which had fallen in the ice storm. The trail has little mud, perhaps because of the dry summer, and is mostly clipped near the 4x8-foot specification.

The two groups met for lunch at Sterling Shelter at 12:30.

Following lunch, the deadfall was located on the trail to Watson and was duly removed. Three of the party went back to deepen drainages on the LT down to the notch. Three others walked and clipped around Sterling Pond on the E-Head. The remaining four clipped sporadically to the E-Head spur and out to E-Head. Evidence of the spring brushing-in was removed. This group hiked out from E-Head and arrived at the parking lot about 5:15.

State of our trails

The Montpelier Section has responsibility for the LT to Chilcoot Pass and the E-Head Trail. Constant, nibbling attention twice a year for several years has brought them close to standard.

LT to Sterling Pond. This section is heavily used. Although there are no eroded areas, the rock steps need to be rebuilt and screed. (This may be on the LT Patrol's list for 2002.)

LT to Chilcoot Pass. Usage drops off dramatically north of Sterling Shelter. Bog bridges were installed a few years ago and no muddy spots are evident. Some rock work is desirable on just downhill from the second ski trail crossing. The final section to Chilcoot was trimmed in August but not visited on this trip.

E-Head: around the Pond. This section gets moderate traffic. It is a bit ragged. The Section has deferred clipping here, being a lower priority since it is easily accessible to the caretaker.

E-Head: Tractor Road to Vermont 108. This section has received a good deal of attention this year. A section below E-Head needs trimming. Considerable rock work is anticipated as part of the LT relocation.

Suggested Plan for 2002

Spring walk-through: 25 May (alternate: 18 May). Routine drainage work for the entire length of the LT. If time permits, clip E-Head around the pond.

E-Head Work Hike in June or July. Clip a 4x8 corridor from Slide 2 to 0.25 miles below E-Head and other light jobs on Bill's log.