Bamforth Ridge Trail (LT) to Camel's Hump

[Toe Cozy]

I woke up on Sunday morning at 5 a.m. excited to be heading up to Camel's Hump for a long day on the trail. Unfortunately it was raining and that made me question how excited I really was about 12 miles and 3700 feet in elevation gain. So I checked three different sources for the weather and then was inspired by a trip report from Saturday for Mt. Mansfield that described surprisingly good weather. I was on the road before 6 a.m.

Rain, rain, low clouds, rain all the way up I-91 from Springfield, VT where I live. I was not hopeful. But by the time I got near Montpelier I had beautiful views of Camle's Hump, the sun was out and the day looked perfect. I hit the Bamforth Trail at 7:50. This is not the most common way to Camel's Hump. It's long (11.8 miles RT) and has a lot of elevation gain (3700 feet). If you love Camel's Hump and have never hiked up this route I highly recommend it. It's kind of tough but the rewards are worth it. The maiden hair fern right at the beginning are not terribly common and they were a pleasure to see. A rest stop at the Bamforth Shelter really made me want to come back and spend the night here when the bugs finally hibernate. Had my first sighting for the summer of my favorite cold blooded creatures, red efts. I looked up from my feet at one point to find a young deer staring right at me from about 20 feet away. We studied each other for about 5 minutes until she continued on her way. Then there were the series of ledges on the ridge that afforded fantastic views of Camel's Hump. Except it still looked so far away!!! There are lots of small ups and downs. I won't call them pointless because I was having fun and the views were really nice, but on the way back down it really was exhausting.

I think you could make a fantastic fall weekend up here maybe next year after Montclair Glen Lodge is replaced. The foliage views could be stunning from the ridge ledges. Figure out a plan that gets you to Bamforth Shelter one night and to Montclair Glen the next. This is not a lot of distance. The point would be the great hike in, maybe some alone time for sunset/sunrise on the top of Camel's hump and a nice stay in the soon to be new Montclair Glen Shelter.

I finished up the day with no rain, no bug bites, only one new bruise, and sweet potato fries, Holy Cow IPA and Red Beans, Rice and Pulled Pork at the Alchemist.

Nothin' wrong with my Sunday!

 

[spongebob]

Sounds like a great hike!.....Because I didn't have to be there with you. Now only if you stopped posting here.

 

[Toe Cozy]

Sounds like a great hike!.....Because I didn't have to be there with you. Now only if you stopped posting here.

Wow, it's funny how we think a like even though I'm much smarter and better looking than you. I kept thinking how great the hike was especially since you weren't there too! Unfortunately I think I remember making some future hiking plans with you so I will have to prepare myself for that. Ugh.

I forgot to mention the two downsides and annoying parts to this hike. Luckily Spongebob's annoyingness reminded me to mention it.

For the first couple miles you can very clearly hear I-89 road noise. That's a bummer. Also, on the way out I swore I was hearing explosions and machine gun fire. I'm not kidding, it was freaky. Anyone know about that?

 

[Kevin Rooney]

For the first couple miles you can very clearly hear I-89 road noise. That's a bummer. Also, on the way out I swore I was hearing explosions and machine gun fire. I'm not kidding, it was freaky. Anyone know about that?

I agree that the I89 road noise is annoying. The explosions and machine gun fire are real - GE has a plant in Burlington where they make electric cannons, and they're tested periodically on a range in Bolton, which is north of where you were. Sometimes you'll hear a b-b-b-a-a-U-U-M-M-PP! that lasts maybe 3 seconds, and in reality was probably a bazillion shells going off.

Still - I agree that the Bamforth Ridge is one of the premier hikes in the East. It's only been re-opened a few years - there had been a dispute with the previous landowner over hiking rights which affected the lower mile or so of the trail before it crosses the town road. The land sold, and fortunately GMC was able to work out permanent rights so that it did not have to detour and come out about a 1/2 mile or so further north.

 

[sli74]

TC,

That sounds like a great way to spend the weekend. I am way jealous and will put your suggestion for the overnighter on my list of hikes to do.

sli74

 

[DaveSunRa]

Camels Hump is such a wounderful place. My daughter lives in Montpelier, so when ever I visit I always try to get over to the Camel. Have never tried the Bamorth Ridge Trail. What would you say the driving time is from downtown Montpelier to trail head?

By the way, Nancy Bazilchuk has some wounderful a wounderful articale on Camels Hump's natural history Camel’s Hump State Park