skibum9995
New member
Long overdue TR
Date(s) Hiked: Sept 27 - Oct 10, 2009
Trails(s) Hiked: Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, Journeys End Trail
Total Distance: 272.7 mi
Difficulty: Difficult
Conditions: Very Wet
Special Required Equipment: dry socks
Trip Report:
WARNING: LONG
Day 1 - Sherman Brook Campsite to Goddard Shelter, 26.8 mi
I hiked 1.4 mi into the Sherman Brook Campsite after getting out of work yesterday to get an early start today. I woke up around 5:00 to light rain and decided to pack up and get goingt with hopes of the sun coming out and taking a long break to dry out my wet gear. I broke camp leisurely, and hit the trail just after 6:00 under headlamp. I made my way up to the MA/VT border and the southern terminus of the Long Trail. I stopped just long enough to get a picture and stepped into Vermont at 7:09. The rain continued throughout the morning, but eventually tapered off about 10:00. The first miles of the LT are pretty mellow and I cruised over the small climbs. I stopped for lunch at Congdon Shelter a bit before 11:00 nad headed out after an attempt to dry my feet out. After a quick climb up to Harmon Hill came the steep decent down to Rt 9, and then the sep ascent back up the other side. I was planning on stopping at Melville Nauheim Shelter for the night, but it was only a little past 2:00 so I decided to go the extra 8.5 mi to Goddard Shelter. The rain started back up as I had a quick snack and refilled my water, so I hit the trail. As I got closer to the shelter I slowed down more and more and was happy to finally see it through the mist at around 5:30. There were a few AT hikers already there who made some room for me.
Day 2 - Goddard Shelter to Stratton Pond Shelter, 19.4 mi
I was on the trail just after 7:00 and made the short climb up to the fire tower on Glastenbury Mt. There was no view so I didn’t bother stopping and cruised the easy stretch to Kid Gore Shelter. I made the climb up to Lydia’s Rest and on the Story Spring Shelter for lunch. As I was getting to the shelter the sun started to come out so I put my shoes and socks out while I ate. The sun didn’t last long and nothing really dried any. From the shelter it’s a pretty easy 3.6 mi to the Stratton-Arlington Rd where I began the climb up Stratton Mt. I really enjoy this climb because it starts of real gradual and is graded nice all the way to the top. I was able to make good time up it, but I could see a storm rolling in so I took off for the shelter in an attempt to stay dry. It’s 3 mi mostly downhill and I was pushing hard to beat the rain but it started p about 10 minutes before I made it in. It wasn’t that bad and I was able to dry out quickly. Stratton Pond is a nice shelter with lots of space. I’m sharing it with Keith, an AT Sobo, and Odysseus, an AT Nobo. After eating my dinner of Ramen Noodles the caretaker came over to chat and collect the $5 for this shelter.
Day 3 - Stratton Pond Shelter to Lost Pond Shelter, 25.1 mi
Woke up to dry skies and was hiking by 6:30, hoping to make good time to Bromley over some easy terrain. The first few miles were pretty muddy, but I managed to keep a good pace. It was a nice walk to Spruce Peak and the trail was dry making it even better. Just after the shelter I saw a bear cub off to the side of the trail running away. I made the annoying little climb up to the road, crossed it, and started the climb up Bromley. I stopped at the shelter for lunch and water. It was looking like rain so I made the final push to the summit where there were limited views and then down to Mad Tom Notch where it started to rain. I’ve never really been a fan of the next 5 miles and this time was no exception. It always seems to be wet when I’m here and I had to keep moving just to stay warm. After the climb and tedious ridgewalk I stopped at Peru Peak Shelter for a snack break and headed back out into the rain for the last part of the day. The rain increased in intensity and I was soaked by the time I got to Baker Peak. When I finally made it to the shelter I ate and tried to dry out and warm up but it wasn’t happening. I ended up wearing most of my clothes in my sleeping bag and finally got comfortable.
Day 4 - Lost Pond Shelter to Clarendon Shelter, 18.6 mi
After a damp night, the morning was pretty chilly, and I was sluggish getting going. It started to rain just as I was about to hike out so I hung out for a bit longer and ate my breakfast at the shelter. I was ready to go, but getting cold so I put my shell and gloves on and took off. The stopped shortly after and I enjoyed the easy hike to Little Rock Pond. I stopped at the FS 10 crossing to hit the privy before heading up to the pond. The climb up to White Rocks Mt wasn’t bad but there was a cool breeze along the ridge. I descended to VT 140 where I air out my feet and ate lunch in the empty parking lot. I enjoyed the climb up Bear Mt and the gentle terrain to Minerva Hinchey Shelter. Just after the shelter there was a short but steep climb and then more ridgewalking to the Airport Lookout where I stopped to take some pictures. The steep decent to Clarendon Gorge was slick in places and I nearly crashed a couple of times but made it down without incident. After crossing the road the trail climbs super steeply for a short bit before some bumps before a quick drop down to the Clarendon Shelter. I met an AT Sobo who somehow missed Rt 4 and was heading into Rutland from 103. I had the shelter to myself for the second night in a row.
Day 5 - Clarendon Shelter to he Inn at Long Trail, 16.4 mi
I was able to get a pretty decent start this morning with the thought of food from the Inn filling my thoughts. The day started with a climb up to Beacon Hill, then it was generally pretty level to Governor Clement Shelter. I stopped at the shelter, which currently has no floor, for a quick break before starting the climb up Killington. As I was leaving I heard what I thought was rain in the leaves but the only thing that seemed to be falling was not rain. My pack was getting wet spots on it though so I figured the rain was light enough to not notice it falling. The climb starts out fairly gentle and winds its way through the forest, climbing gradually. At one point I realized that it wasn’t raining after all, and the weird stuff falling from the sky was actually snow. Once I realized what was happening I got super excited and felt and extra shot of energy. The snow started sticking to vegetation and then to the ground as I gained elevation. I stopped at Cooper Lodge for lunch and the snow was blowing in the windows. It was cold, probably around 28 or so, so I put my jacket on and didn’t take it off when I left the shelter and headed off across the ridge towards Pico. The hike down to Rt 4 went by quickly, as the food and shower awaiting me drove me on. I saw a moose right in the trail about 20 yards in front of me about a mile and a half from the road. Once I hit the road I did the mile long road walk up to the Inn where I got a room, picked up a mail drop, showered, and headed to the pub for food and some beers. I met a few hikers, but none were planning on doing anywhere near the mileage I was planning. Looks like this is going to be a lonely hike.
Day 6 - The Inn at Long Trail to Sucker Brook Shelter, 25.3 mi
I got up at 6:30, packed up and headed downstairs for the free breakfast just after 7:00. After eating a great breakfast, I walked back to the trail and started later than I would have liked at 8:45, but the breakfast was worth it. The small climb up to Maine Junction was the last bit of the Long Trail I had hiked before, except for a couple of short sections up north. I stopped for water at Rolston Rest Shelter after navigating across numerous logging roads. At this point I was feeling the effects of drinking too much the night before and I didn’t feel all that great. I was not making great time and I was getting discouraged with myself. Just past the David Logan Shelter I realized that I had some Advil in my pack so I stopped for a snack and popped a couple Advil. I felt much better after and started pushing to make up some time. There were a few small climbs, but nothing crazy and I made it into Sunrise Shelter shortly after the rain started up. I had another snack and then jogged most of the down to Brandon Gap. I was dreading the climb up out of the gap but it turned out to not be all that bad. At this point it was starting to get dark so I wanted to cover as much terrain as possible before pulling out the headlamp. Once I finally put it on it was hard to see much more than a few feet in front of me due to the thick fog and light rain. I made it to the shelter at 7:10 to find it occupied with a bunch of students from Middlebury College who were very nice. The made a spot for me and even gave me the leftovers from a pasta dinner.
Day 7 - Sucker Brook Shelter to Cooley Glen Shelter, 17.1 mi
I woke up to yet more rain and had no motivation to get moving. I finally started hiking and made the climb up to Worth Mt and then down over the Middlebury Snow Bowl. By the time I got to Middlebury Gap I was soaked and spent a lot of time thinking about quitting and going home. I had lunch at Boyce Shelter and then made my way across the ridge, over Breadloaf Mt, Mt Wilson, and a bunch of PUDs, before the short decent to the shelter. I hiked down a side trail to the spring and then got back to the shelter, took my wet shoes and socks off, ate dinner, and that made me feel a lot better about my hike. I knew in the back of my head quitting was not really an option, and that I would be mad at myself if I did.
Date(s) Hiked: Sept 27 - Oct 10, 2009
Trails(s) Hiked: Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, Journeys End Trail
Total Distance: 272.7 mi
Difficulty: Difficult
Conditions: Very Wet
Special Required Equipment: dry socks
Trip Report:
WARNING: LONG
Day 1 - Sherman Brook Campsite to Goddard Shelter, 26.8 mi
I hiked 1.4 mi into the Sherman Brook Campsite after getting out of work yesterday to get an early start today. I woke up around 5:00 to light rain and decided to pack up and get goingt with hopes of the sun coming out and taking a long break to dry out my wet gear. I broke camp leisurely, and hit the trail just after 6:00 under headlamp. I made my way up to the MA/VT border and the southern terminus of the Long Trail. I stopped just long enough to get a picture and stepped into Vermont at 7:09. The rain continued throughout the morning, but eventually tapered off about 10:00. The first miles of the LT are pretty mellow and I cruised over the small climbs. I stopped for lunch at Congdon Shelter a bit before 11:00 nad headed out after an attempt to dry my feet out. After a quick climb up to Harmon Hill came the steep decent down to Rt 9, and then the sep ascent back up the other side. I was planning on stopping at Melville Nauheim Shelter for the night, but it was only a little past 2:00 so I decided to go the extra 8.5 mi to Goddard Shelter. The rain started back up as I had a quick snack and refilled my water, so I hit the trail. As I got closer to the shelter I slowed down more and more and was happy to finally see it through the mist at around 5:30. There were a few AT hikers already there who made some room for me.
Day 2 - Goddard Shelter to Stratton Pond Shelter, 19.4 mi
I was on the trail just after 7:00 and made the short climb up to the fire tower on Glastenbury Mt. There was no view so I didn’t bother stopping and cruised the easy stretch to Kid Gore Shelter. I made the climb up to Lydia’s Rest and on the Story Spring Shelter for lunch. As I was getting to the shelter the sun started to come out so I put my shoes and socks out while I ate. The sun didn’t last long and nothing really dried any. From the shelter it’s a pretty easy 3.6 mi to the Stratton-Arlington Rd where I began the climb up Stratton Mt. I really enjoy this climb because it starts of real gradual and is graded nice all the way to the top. I was able to make good time up it, but I could see a storm rolling in so I took off for the shelter in an attempt to stay dry. It’s 3 mi mostly downhill and I was pushing hard to beat the rain but it started p about 10 minutes before I made it in. It wasn’t that bad and I was able to dry out quickly. Stratton Pond is a nice shelter with lots of space. I’m sharing it with Keith, an AT Sobo, and Odysseus, an AT Nobo. After eating my dinner of Ramen Noodles the caretaker came over to chat and collect the $5 for this shelter.
Day 3 - Stratton Pond Shelter to Lost Pond Shelter, 25.1 mi
Woke up to dry skies and was hiking by 6:30, hoping to make good time to Bromley over some easy terrain. The first few miles were pretty muddy, but I managed to keep a good pace. It was a nice walk to Spruce Peak and the trail was dry making it even better. Just after the shelter I saw a bear cub off to the side of the trail running away. I made the annoying little climb up to the road, crossed it, and started the climb up Bromley. I stopped at the shelter for lunch and water. It was looking like rain so I made the final push to the summit where there were limited views and then down to Mad Tom Notch where it started to rain. I’ve never really been a fan of the next 5 miles and this time was no exception. It always seems to be wet when I’m here and I had to keep moving just to stay warm. After the climb and tedious ridgewalk I stopped at Peru Peak Shelter for a snack break and headed back out into the rain for the last part of the day. The rain increased in intensity and I was soaked by the time I got to Baker Peak. When I finally made it to the shelter I ate and tried to dry out and warm up but it wasn’t happening. I ended up wearing most of my clothes in my sleeping bag and finally got comfortable.
Day 4 - Lost Pond Shelter to Clarendon Shelter, 18.6 mi
After a damp night, the morning was pretty chilly, and I was sluggish getting going. It started to rain just as I was about to hike out so I hung out for a bit longer and ate my breakfast at the shelter. I was ready to go, but getting cold so I put my shell and gloves on and took off. The stopped shortly after and I enjoyed the easy hike to Little Rock Pond. I stopped at the FS 10 crossing to hit the privy before heading up to the pond. The climb up to White Rocks Mt wasn’t bad but there was a cool breeze along the ridge. I descended to VT 140 where I air out my feet and ate lunch in the empty parking lot. I enjoyed the climb up Bear Mt and the gentle terrain to Minerva Hinchey Shelter. Just after the shelter there was a short but steep climb and then more ridgewalking to the Airport Lookout where I stopped to take some pictures. The steep decent to Clarendon Gorge was slick in places and I nearly crashed a couple of times but made it down without incident. After crossing the road the trail climbs super steeply for a short bit before some bumps before a quick drop down to the Clarendon Shelter. I met an AT Sobo who somehow missed Rt 4 and was heading into Rutland from 103. I had the shelter to myself for the second night in a row.
Day 5 - Clarendon Shelter to he Inn at Long Trail, 16.4 mi
I was able to get a pretty decent start this morning with the thought of food from the Inn filling my thoughts. The day started with a climb up to Beacon Hill, then it was generally pretty level to Governor Clement Shelter. I stopped at the shelter, which currently has no floor, for a quick break before starting the climb up Killington. As I was leaving I heard what I thought was rain in the leaves but the only thing that seemed to be falling was not rain. My pack was getting wet spots on it though so I figured the rain was light enough to not notice it falling. The climb starts out fairly gentle and winds its way through the forest, climbing gradually. At one point I realized that it wasn’t raining after all, and the weird stuff falling from the sky was actually snow. Once I realized what was happening I got super excited and felt and extra shot of energy. The snow started sticking to vegetation and then to the ground as I gained elevation. I stopped at Cooper Lodge for lunch and the snow was blowing in the windows. It was cold, probably around 28 or so, so I put my jacket on and didn’t take it off when I left the shelter and headed off across the ridge towards Pico. The hike down to Rt 4 went by quickly, as the food and shower awaiting me drove me on. I saw a moose right in the trail about 20 yards in front of me about a mile and a half from the road. Once I hit the road I did the mile long road walk up to the Inn where I got a room, picked up a mail drop, showered, and headed to the pub for food and some beers. I met a few hikers, but none were planning on doing anywhere near the mileage I was planning. Looks like this is going to be a lonely hike.
Day 6 - The Inn at Long Trail to Sucker Brook Shelter, 25.3 mi
I got up at 6:30, packed up and headed downstairs for the free breakfast just after 7:00. After eating a great breakfast, I walked back to the trail and started later than I would have liked at 8:45, but the breakfast was worth it. The small climb up to Maine Junction was the last bit of the Long Trail I had hiked before, except for a couple of short sections up north. I stopped for water at Rolston Rest Shelter after navigating across numerous logging roads. At this point I was feeling the effects of drinking too much the night before and I didn’t feel all that great. I was not making great time and I was getting discouraged with myself. Just past the David Logan Shelter I realized that I had some Advil in my pack so I stopped for a snack and popped a couple Advil. I felt much better after and started pushing to make up some time. There were a few small climbs, but nothing crazy and I made it into Sunrise Shelter shortly after the rain started up. I had another snack and then jogged most of the down to Brandon Gap. I was dreading the climb up out of the gap but it turned out to not be all that bad. At this point it was starting to get dark so I wanted to cover as much terrain as possible before pulling out the headlamp. Once I finally put it on it was hard to see much more than a few feet in front of me due to the thick fog and light rain. I made it to the shelter at 7:10 to find it occupied with a bunch of students from Middlebury College who were very nice. The made a spot for me and even gave me the leftovers from a pasta dinner.
Day 7 - Sucker Brook Shelter to Cooley Glen Shelter, 17.1 mi
I woke up to yet more rain and had no motivation to get moving. I finally started hiking and made the climb up to Worth Mt and then down over the Middlebury Snow Bowl. By the time I got to Middlebury Gap I was soaked and spent a lot of time thinking about quitting and going home. I had lunch at Boyce Shelter and then made my way across the ridge, over Breadloaf Mt, Mt Wilson, and a bunch of PUDs, before the short decent to the shelter. I hiked down a side trail to the spring and then got back to the shelter, took my wet shoes and socks off, ate dinner, and that made me feel a lot better about my hike. I knew in the back of my head quitting was not really an option, and that I would be mad at myself if I did.
