Looking For A Little Info

Looking For A Little Info Rate Topic:

#1 Fox

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Posted 24 Aug 2010 - 07:04 AM

I'm prepping for a week on the trail. 100 miles of it will be in southern VT. I know this nor'easter we are having is doing some good for the water sources but I was just wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of trail and or water sources along the southern half of the AT/LT. Anyone know if the Big Branch bridge is finished or close to being finished?

Any first hand info would be great. Thanks - Mike

#2 Jamie C

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Posted 30 Aug 2010 - 08:47 AM

Fox, on 24 Aug 2010 - 07:04 AM, said:

I thru-hiked the Long Trail earlier this summer. The southern half of the AT/LT has plenty of good water sources all the way until the Breadloaf wilderness (which I believe was from Killington north a little ways where the AT and LT start heading in different directions.) Every shelter has a reliable enough water source as long as you have a filter or some other form of treating it. As far as the bridge, it was just starting to be built when I came through that section, but fording the river was very easy. They have a detour setup because they don't want to promote fording the river, but it is not that bad. When you reach the "T" intersection where the bridge will be to your left (if heading North) the detour is to your right. We went left and down the river a little ways and found big rocks that were VERY easy to cross (even the dog could do it) Then head towards the unfinished bridge and find the trail just passed the bridge.
Let me know if you need any more info!

- this is where we crossed Big Branch

#3 Fox

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Posted 30 Aug 2010 - 10:07 AM

Thanks! This is great. I'll be leaving in about 3 days and I've heard from other sources that the river at Big Branch is so low that there should be no hazard if the bridge isn't finished.
I really didn't want to do the 6 miles of road the detour is supposed to take you down. My biggest concern was for my dog. He's a strong swimmer but he's small guy (35lbs) and a swift current with plenty of rocks wouldn't have been worth the gamble.