A hiker ticking off a rare double thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail spent late September grinding out a 24-mile southbound day through Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, and the stretch between White Rocks Junction and Vermont Route 11/30 turned out to be one of the more atmospheric sections of the whole state. The day ended above the clouds on the summit of Bromley Peak, with mist filling the valleys below like a layer of jam on toast.
The morning started early, at 7am, with low cloud and fog limiting visibility to around 50 feet — enough reason to skip the White Rocks Junction viewpoint spur entirely. Coyotes howled downhill through the night, but the payoff came by mid-morning at Little Rock Pond, where the clouds briefly lifted long enough for photos before closing back in. Breakfast happened at the Little Rock Pond shelter among other thru-hikers, followed by a crossing of Big Branch on a suspension bridge and a climb past Baker Peak — no views there either — and Griffith Lake, where visibility had improved by early afternoon.
The drama came at the top. Climbing Bromley Peak meant hiking literally into the clouds, wading through mud and water still cascading over the rock steps near the summit. But the summit itself broke clear: clouds sat below the peak, framed by the surrounding Green Mountain National Forest, and a fire lookout tower offered satisfying shots. The summit also sits on a ski area, so the Appalachian Trail drops off the mountain via a ski trail before diving back into forest. Nearby Styles Peak offered partial views earlier in the climb.
The day's tally: 24.1 miles, roughly 52,000 steps, with about 4,400 feet of ascent and 4,800 feet of descent — the hiker sleeping in a converted van between legs and refuelling in the town of Manchester afterwards. Also worth noting for anyone walking this section: bright red and yellow leaves carpeted the lower trail even though the trees at elevation were still green, hinting at the foliage show to come.
For holidaymakers, this is a nice reminder that the Appalachian Trail in southern Vermont is not just for thru-hikers. Bromley's ski lift infrastructure makes the summit unusually accessible — you can hike up from the ski area side without committing to a 24-mile day — and the trail threads together swimming-hole-worthy ponds, suspension bridges and shelters within a compact stretch of national forest. Manchester, with its outlets and food scene, makes a comfortable base camp for day hikes or an overnighter. Late September into early October delivers the best mix of autumn colour and cooler hiking temperatures.
