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The suspension bridge sways 30 feet above Mill River. February snow dusts white marble cliffs and purple basalt columns. Most Vermont gorges hide behind ski resorts charging $274 for lift tickets. This one costs nothing and sits 0.2 miles from free parking.
Clarendon Gorge marks where the Appalachian Trail crosses Mill River in Rutland County. The cable bridge spans 70 feet. Green Mountain Club volunteers built it in 1975 after floods destroyed the previous crossing. Water carved this slot through Champlain Valley bedrock over millennia. The result: a narrow canyon locals protect from crowds.
Where marble meets basalt in southern Vermont
Park on Gorge Road off Route 103. The shoulder holds 10 cars. Walk south on an old roadbed through hemlocks. The path drops gently for 150 yards. Then you see the bridge.
White marble forms the gorge walls. Purple basalt columns rise from the riverbed. This calcium-rich rock supports plant species rare in Vermont. The state protected 50 acres here in 2004. No entrance fee. No visitor center. Just trail and river.
The bridge deck consists of wooden planks replaced in 2024. Cables attach to bedrock anchors on both sides. It moves when you cross. Wind amplifies the sway. Below, pools form where water slows between rapids.
What winter reveals at the crossing
February brings solitude. Fewer than 5 visitors per day in winter. Snow covers the trail but microspikes handle the grade. Ice forms along cliff edges where spray freezes. The river runs low but never stops.
Bridge construction and trail history
Bob Brugmann drowned here in 1973 attempting to cross during floods. The bridge honors his memory. Green Mountain Club maintains the structure. Recent repairs cost $15,000 from member donations. The expected lifespan: 20 years.
This marks mile 103 of the AT’s Vermont section. Thru-hikers account for 30% of crossings. Day visitors make up the rest. The trail continues north toward Killington Peak, 11.7 miles distant with 3,400 feet of elevation gain.
Summer swimming culture and local protection
Pools below the bridge reach 8 feet deep in spots. Water temperature hits 65-70°F by July. Locals have swum here since the 1950s. No lifeguards. No regulations beyond Leave No Trace ethics.
Weekends in August see 40-50 people. Weekdays stay quiet. Cliff jumping happens despite risks. The town doesn’t advertise this place. Word spreads slowly. That keeps it manageable.
Planning your gorge visit
Winter requires snowshoes or microspikes. The trail stays packed but icy patches form. Dress for 25-35°F highs. Bring layers. Cell service fails in the gorge. Nearest hospital: Rutland Regional, 5 miles north.
Access and timing
Drive time from Boston: 3 hours. From Albany: 1 hour. From Burlington: 1.75 hours. Park at 43.5235°N, 72.9416°W. The lot never fills in winter. Summer weekends arrive before 9am or after 4pm.
Flash floods remain possible during thunderstorms. The 1973 event washed out the original bridge. Check weather before hiking. Spring mud season (March-April) makes trails impassable.
What to bring
Winter: Microspikes ($60-80), insulated water bottle, hand warmers. Summer: Water shoes for sharp rocks, towel, dry bag. Year-round: First aid kit, whistle, headlamp. The hike takes 30 minutes round trip at casual pace.
Base yourself in Rutland for lodging. Rooms run $100-200 per night. The town has gas stations, grocery stores, and diners serving $15-25 meals. This Colorado lake sits in a boulder basin where 150 snowshoers replace summer’s 10,000 hikers offers similar winter solitude.
The quiet that protects this place
No signs point to the gorge from Route 103. The parking area looks like a pullout. This anonymity preserves the experience. Locals want it that way.
Compare this to New Hampshire’s Flume Gorge: $18 entry, 200+ daily visitors, boardwalks and gift shops. Clarendon costs nothing and sees 90% fewer people. This California grove hides 2,000 sequoias under 57 inches of snow demonstrates similar winter forest appeal.
The bridge creaks in wind. Water echoes off marble walls. These sounds stay constant whether you visit in February or July. The gorge doesn’t change for tourists. You adapt to it.
Your questions about Clarendon Gorge answered
When does the swimming season start?
Water warms enough for swimming by mid-June. Peak season runs July through August. September offers warmer water with smaller crowds. Ice forms by December. The bridge stays accessible year-round for viewing.
How does this compare to Adirondack swimming holes?
Adirondack gorges require longer hikes and stricter regulations. Clarendon sits 0.2 miles from parking. New York sites see more enforcement and water quality testing. Vermont relies on user ethics. Both offer free access. Six alpine lakes freeze solid above 5,000 feet where ice cracks echo through empty basins shows similar winter lake transformations.
What makes the geology special here?
The calcium-rich marble supports rare cliff plants found nowhere else in Vermont. Purple basalt intrusions create color contrast. The 1,000-foot bedrock band took millions of years to expose. River erosion continues shaping the gorge. This combination of rock types occurs in few other Vermont locations.
Morning light hits the bridge around 8am in February. The angle illuminates ice formations on the cliffs. Stand on the south bank. Watch shadows shift across marble. The river sounds different in winter. Lower flow. Sharper echoes. This Kauai beach hides monk seals resting beside octopus-filled tidepools offers similar protected natural discovery.
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