Camel’s Hump

This challenging and spectacular 7.4 mile round-trip hike takes you above the trees to the 4,083′ summit of Vermont’s highest undeveloped peak. You hike through birch, beech, and maple forest at lower elevations, ultimately reaching a delicate alpine plant community at the summit. Rushing streams and beaver ponds give way to scree and a boulder scramble to the top where on a clear day you can see not only Mt. Mansfield to the north but also Owl’s Head in Canada; Mounts Ethan and Ira Allen and Killington to the south; Mount Washington, the Presidential Range and the Franconia Range to the east; the Champlain Valley and the Adirondack Mountains to the west.

Begin on the blue-blazed Monroe Trail then take the left fork and follow the Dean Trail, which affords you great views of the summit. Hike through the forest until you get to a notch and join the white-blazed Long Trail at the Wind Gap. Turn right to go north on the LT and take that to the summit. From the summit, follow the Long Trail to the hut clearing where you descend on the blue-blazed Monroe Trail. You can make a detour on the yellow-blazed Alpine Trail back to the Monroe Trail back to the parking lot. Hiking time is approximately 6 hours.

As in all mountain hiking, be sure to wear sturdy shoes, bring lots of water, and be prepared for changeable weather. Detailed hiking maps are available in 50 Hikes in Vermont by the Green Mountain Club and the Guide Book of the Long Trail also by the Green Mountain Club.

From the Valley, take Rt. 100 north toward Waterbury. Shortly before you get to where Rt. 100 turns left, look for Main Street. Turn left onto Main Street and then left onto River Road. Take River Road to Camel’s Hump Road and turn left onto Camel’s Hump Road. Several side roads go off of the Hump Road…stay on the main road. At 1.4 miles, bear left at the fork and cross the bridge. Continue across another bridge and past a sign that reads “Welcome to Camel’s Hump State Park.” Continue on another 2 miles to the summer parking lots.