Stark’s Nest is located at the upper station of the Mad River Glen Chair Lift on the northern peak of General Stark Mountain. Through cooperation with Mad River Corporation, the shelter has allowed overnight camping during the summer months when a GMC Caretaker is in residence.
The facility operated initially on a limited basis. The 1956 Long Trail Guide noted that Stark’s Nest functioned during ski season operation only, with only a platform and views offered to hikers. By the mid-1970s, the arrangement had expanded.
The 1977 Long Trail Guide described the facility as having space for 10 to 12 people and being available for overnight camping during summer months when a GMC Caretaker is in residence, with a small fee charged for overnight use and water furnished by the caretaker.
A 1980 Long Trail News article recounted a hiker’s positive experience at the shelter, noting they "met a lovely young caretaker at Starks Nest name of Jenny [Strickler]". The caretaker program became well-established during the 1980s.
The 1987 Long Trail News reported that Sandy Staskus served as Starks Nest Caretaker that summer, and the 1984 Long Trail News listed Walter Green as the caretaker.
By 2000, the shelter underwent major renovation, with improvements including a seating area, fireplace, and interpretive displays, while the management worked closely with the GMC to factor the needs of Long Trail hikers into the renovation. Into the twenty-first century, the facility has remained actively used by hikers accessing Mad River Glen’s ski trails in summer. From 2010 onward, the Burlington Section of the GMC organized regular spring and early-summer hiking outings to Stark’s Nest via the easy ski trail routes at Mad River Glen.
Sources
- Ridgelines (Burlington) 1977 (1977). Burlington Section, Green Mountain Club. 2.
- Long Trail News 1980 (1980). Green Mountain Club. 5.
- Ridgelines (Burlington) 1984 (1984). Burlington Section, Green Mountain Club. 2.
- Long Trail News 1984 (1984). Green Mountain Club. 1.
- Long Trail News 1987 (1987). Green Mountain Club. 6.
- Ridgelines (Burlington) 2011 (2011). Burlington Section, Green Mountain Club. 11.
- Ridgelines (Burlington) 2012 (2012). Burlington Section, Green Mountain Club. 6.
- Ridgelines (Burlington) 2017 (2017). Burlington Section, Green Mountain Club. 9.
- Ridgelines (Burlington) 2017 (2017). Burlington Section, Green Mountain Club. 7.
- Stepping Stone (Bennington) 2026 (2026). Bennington Section, Green Mountain Club. 13.
- Woodward, Paul & Joanne. Long Trail System Shelter History. 2nd ed. Green Mountain Club, 1999. Pp. 177.
- Woodward, Paul & Joanne. Long Trail System Shelter History. 2nd ed. Green Mountain Club, 1999. Pp. 176.
