Sterling Section

"The Long Trail is an invitation - Mountain high and tree embowered - A free open and easy path that begins where Vermont begins . . . "

- James P. Taylor Founder of Green Mountain Club, 1910

Upcoming Events

Events and Outings are always open to everyone. (You do not have to be a Club member.)

Sterling Section on FACEBOOK: Go to facebook page for latest notices and photos.

Read our newsletter (pdf): Sterling Stomper Spring 2021; Sterling Stomper Winter 2021

And remember, the other GMC Sections have outings, too. Go to the "links" page to connect to their calendars. Between all the Sections, there is something happening pretty much every weekend of the year!

UPDATE: 5-28-2021:

2021 Sterling Section Trail Workdays Schedule

Trailwork runs the gamut from mild to sweaty, but we have jobs for all experience and ability levels, including artist-in-residence! Contact Kevin Hudnell at khudnell@gmail.com with any questions, or to register and confirm participation.

All participants must register with the Trail Work leader in advance, acknowledging that they have read, understood, and agree to follow the COVID-19 GMC outings guidelines.

Saturday, June 12 - Drainage work on Whiteface

We'll be clearing and rebuilding waterbars on the northern end of the Sterling Range. This workday will start with a four-mile hike gaining about 2000' of elevation, then we'll work our way back down using hand tools to dig out clogged drainages and build berms to redirect water flowing down the trail. The hike to the worksite is strenuous - please assess your own abilities in advance!

Thursday, June 24 - Evening knotweed pull at the Lamoille River

We'll be pulling knotweed stalks up by the root and piling them on site as part of a recurring effort to prevent the spread of invasive species in the Long Trail corridor. It's a short walk from the road to the worksite, and there are no tools needed. There is poison ivy at the worksite, so long pants, long sleeves, and gloves are imperative.

Saturday, July 10 - Tread hardening on Whiteface

We'll be returning to a series of mud pits on the Sterling ridgeline that we cleared out during the summer of 2020. Some of these sites require further work hardening or elevating the treadway. The workday will start with a four-mile hike gaining about 2400' of elevation, then we'll work at one or more locations moving and setting rocks using hand tools and sheer determination. The hike to the worksite is strenuous - please assess your own abilities in advance!

Thursday, July 22 - Evening knotweed pull at the Lamoille River

We'll be pulling knotweed stalks up by the root and piling them on site as part of a recurring effort to prevent the spread of invasive species in the Long Trail corridor. It's a short walk from the road to the worksite, and there are no tools needed. There is poison ivy at the worksite, so long pants, long sleeves, and gloves are imperative.

Saturday, August 14 - Tread hardening on Morse

We'll be hardening some muddy or boggy spots in the trail on the Sterling ridgeline over Morse Mountain. The workday will start with a five-mile hike, first gradually uphill through the Beaver Meadow bowl, then more steeply up the Whiteface Trail and along the Long Trail on the ridgeline. Work at the site will focus on creating drainage opportunities and elevating/hardening the treadway, all with hand tools. The hike to the worksite is strenuous - please assess your own abilities in advance!

Thursday, August 26 - Evening knotweed pull at the Lamoille River

We'll be pulling knotweed stalks up by the root and piling them on site as part of a recurring effort to prevent the spread of invasive species in the Long Trail corridor. It's a short walk from the road to the worksite, and there are no tools needed. There is poison ivy at the worksite, so long pants, long sleeves, and gloves are imperative.

September 11 – 12, 2021 - Overnight work weekend in the Beaver Meadow bowl

We'll be cleaning and rehabilitating Burling Camp, one of two overnight shelters in the Beaver Meadow area. The workday will start with a three-mile hike up the Beaver Meadow Trail to the worksite, then we'll work to clean up the camp and the surrounding area - work may include the removal of failed insulation, light repairs to window screens and other shelter fixtures, and firewood splitting and stacking.

Weather and interest levels permitting, this worktrip will run on both Saturday and Sunday, with anyone interested spending the night at either Burling Camp or Beaver Meadow Lodge. If you want to come up for either day, or just come up on Saturday evening to spend the night, that works too!

The hike to the worksite is of moderate difficulty - please assess your own abilities in advance! Work at Burling Camp will generally be light, but may involve multiple trips back to the parking lot.

Thursday, September 23, 2021 - Evening knotweed pull at the Lamoille River

We'll be pulling knotweed stalks up by the root and piling them on site as part of a recurring effort to prevent the spread of invasive species in the Long Trail corridor. It's a short walk from the road to the worksite, and there are no tools needed. There is poison ivy at the worksite, so long pants, long sleeves, and gloves are imperative.

Kevin