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Day 125 Baker Peak Tentsite to VT 140 (12.8 miles) 1676.8 miles total

I’ve come across many ponds while hiking through VT. Below is Little Rock Pond. Water is very clear and saw a couple people swimming. I’m going to jump in one of these things eventually.

The weather for hiking has been good last 4 days. Looking like tomorrow will be good also. Then off and on chances of rain for a few days.

Not sure how well this translates in pic, but these are stone cairns. Basically rock statues…lots of them. Doubting I would have patience to make one. At least it puts rocks to some use.

Quite the adventure meeting up with my sherpa. We were to meet at VT 140 at 2. I got there about 1:50…no Skaare. Sat on side of road for about 15 minutes while leaving text and voice messages.

I had skimped on water today so was out of water and quite thirsty. Decided to hitch into Wallingford where we had planned to have lunch.

I ate lunch. Still no word from Skaare. Now I’m getting nervous with all sorts of bad scenarios running through my head. I finally decided to try to get to Rutland so ordered up an Uber.

Shortly thereafter Skaare pulls up. He had no cell service and had been doing trail magic at parking lot 1/4 mile from where I came out of woods. He had been asking other hikers if they had seen me. Finally got a guy, Snowbird, who told him he’d not only seen me but had lunch with me.

By this time I had mentally checked out of hiking mode so didn’t do remaining 6 miles originally planned.

Tomorrow we’re planning on meeting at a gravel road in the middle of nowhere. Wish us luck on that one!

Happy trails!

Day 124 Just Pete Tentsite to Baker Peak Tentsite (19.9 miles) 1663.0 miles total

The vistas keep getting more expansive and scenic in VT. I wish I could tell you what the peaks are but I can’t. If I were to take a guess, I’d say peak on left is Stratton Mtn. I do know that I’m on Spruce Peak.

Hitched a ride into Manchester Center for some supplies and lunch. Took a while to get a ride in and almost a half hour to get one back out.

Hitching seems to be getting tougher in New England. It’s either the mindset of people around here or the fact that I look much more like a hobo/crazed serial killer.

Last part of hike up Bromley Mtn was on a ski slope. Made me think of some good ski trips with the likes Jay, Doobie, Worm, Von, Smitty, Army, Head and Lars. Fondly remembered kicking your butts! Pretty sure I could stay in a tuck for quite a while right now.

This is from the top of Bromley. Once again, I think it’s Stratton in the background. I know from Stratton I could see ski slopes so I’m slightly confident it actually is Stratton.

This is from top of Styles Peak. Got a little trim of beard around nose and mouth in Bennington. Was blocking my nostrils and getting in mouth when I chewed. Barber really wanted to trim beard a little. Told him I didn’t want to look too groomed. He said “You don’t have to worry about that”!

Hat is getting to be like baseball cap that’s been worn all season. Some permanent salt marks.

Damn! I thought we were finished with Rocksylvania. Climb up rocks to top was about 3x this. Not fun when you’ve already hiked 18 miles.

Incredible view from Baker Peak made it almost worth the effort. Not sure what that peak is but pretty sure not Stratton.

I set up my tent about a half mile past the peak. Tired!

If all goes well tomorrow, will meet Skaare at a road crossing, have lunch, go back and hike 7 more miles, and he’ll pick me up near Rutland.

Happy trails!

Day 123 Just Pete Tentsite to Just Pete Tentsite (17.6 miles) 1644.1 miles total

No, I didn’t just walk in a circle back to same spot I tented last night. Just tenting in another off the grid spot and too lazy to make up a name!

Crossed over top of Stratton Mtn (3936 ft). Last part of it was pretty good climb (1350 ft in 2.3 miles).

This view is from the 55 ft lookout tower at top. You can see the caretaker’s cabin at lower left. Don’t know what caretaker does but he was sawing zzz’s when I went past cabin on trail. Had his door open and you can see how close trail is to cabin.

This view is from same place only looking opposite direction which I think is north.

Below is Stratton Pond. There were a couple hikers swimming there when I went past.

Passed the 75% completion point today! Will be fewer than 500 miles to go in a few days.

Couple climbs tomorrow. Will go over Bromley Mtn ski area.

Happy trails!

Day 122 VT 9 to Just Pete Tentsite (15.9 miles) 1626.5 miles total

Rested up and ready to hike on.

Below are George and John. They’re the guys who hosted me yesterday. Kept me out a bit past hiker midnight (sunset) but I was able to sleep in. George and John picked me up about 10:30 and gave me a ride back to trailhead. Thanks for your hospitality, guys!

Great day for hiking. Sunny, low 70’s with a bit of breeze.

This view is looking down into Bennington. The hotel I stayed in was on Main St a little less than half mile from the thriving downtown business district. Walked that stretch a few times and looked directly at these power lines way up on the mountain. It’s about 1800 ft above town. Climb like that gets the blood flowing in the AM!

After that climb, most of the remainder of day was on the ridge line.

Tomorrow will have one big climb to top of Stratton Mountain. 1700 ft elevation gain in 3.8 miles.

Happy trails!

Day 121 Bennington, VT Zero Day 1610.6 miles total

Nice relaxing day in Bennington. Like this town. Cool, walkable downtown area.

The AT diet is a calorie based program. You eat as many calories as possible. Breakfast…3 blueberry pancakes, 2 eggs, potatoes, and toast. Lunch…2 slices of pizza. Dinner…jambalaya.  

Met John, Director of Bennington Visitor Center, at local pub this afternoon. Invited me to his neighbor’s house. Got to hang around pool and drink beer for a couple hours. Almost felt like a normal human.

Will be making my way to Rutland, VT next. About 70 miles so hoping to be there Wednesday. Long time friend and high school classmate, Jerry, meeting me there. Coming in from AZ to sherpa a few days!

Happy trails!

Day 120 Sherman Brook Campsite to VT 9, Bennington, VT (16.8 miles) 1610.6 miles total 

Pretty tough going today. Muddy slop on most of trail. Several slips but no falls.

Repeating tent platform photo from yesterday. Turns out a story occurred. Remember this was my first experience with a platform!

In the middle of the night I had to get up to pee. Got out of tent, took my second step right off platform. Luckily missed large rock at left of pic. Landed on my heels. Didn’t fall but holy wake up call! Not sure where I thought I was.

11 states down…3 to go! Entering Green Mountains. VT border is also beginning of Long Trail which runs to Canada. AT and Long Trail are merged for next 100 miles or so.

When I got to hotel a guy asked if I was hiking Long Trail. Replied no, AT. “In VT we call that the Long Trail.” “I’ve been hiking AT for 1600 miles. Not changing what I call it.”

My heels are pretty sore…along with the other parts of my feet as normal. Will probably take a zero tomorrow to rest up for some big Green Mountain days ahead.

Happy trails!

Day 119 Wilbur Clearing Shelter to Sherman Brook Campsite (4.6 miles) 1593.8 miles total

Rained most of AM and until about 4PM today.

I packed up during a lull and tried to make a few miles at least.

Trail went through North Adams, MA. You can see the white blaze and AT sign on utility pole at left. Straight up this street and then back up into mountains.

Trail was deemed by the official (me) to be too unsafe to continue hiking. Pitched my tent at a campsite. Even had a tent platform. That’s a first for me.

Tomorrow I will be in VT. Hoping they have iPhone power cords in Bennington as just broke mine. That could be a problem.

Happy trails!

Day 118 Dalton, MA to Wilbur Clearing Shelter (20.5 miles) 1589.2 miles total

Pretty good hike today. Starting to be at higher elevations and fewer rocks. Terrain is getting more similar to beginning of trail (switchback climbs). Much better than the ups, downs, rocks, etc. of last 500 miles.

This view is the Hoosic River Valley and the town of Cheshire, MA.

Trail is sandy for a ways in this area. First time I’ve seen that.

Cheshire is on the trail and one of first places you come to is a little sandwich and ice cream shop. Perfect! One problem…it’s cash only and I only have $11.25. Had to spend wisely. Got grilled cheese, 2 cans of Mountain Dew, and a large chocolate cone for $11.

While sitting on picnic table there, a young kid came up to me and asked if I would sign his notebook. His name is Snowbird. He’s 10 and trying to get as many hikers as he can to sign. Kid knows a lot about the trail.

Leaving Cheshire through the cornfield.

Most places I stop the locals will think the trail around their area is really tough. I usually let that go in one ear and out the other except for last night…

Guy at bar asked me how far I was going to hike today. Hadn’t really thought about that yet but said “somewhere around Mt Greylock”. Dalton is about 18 miles from Mt Greylock, the highest point in MA at 3491 ft.

He doubted that I could get that far as it’s “an 8 mile ascent up to there”. I had an objective!

I believe this is Mt Greylock below.

He was right about the 8 mile ascent. However you only ascend 2500 ft. 4000 ft in that distance would have gotten my attention.

Made it. Was actually a nice hike.

Little selfie update of the beard.

Top of Mt Greylock.

Supposed to rain most of day tomorrow. I am in a spot where possible to reach Bennington, VT in a day if need be (21 miles). Hoping to get as close as I can tomorrow and get there Friday AM.

Happy trails!

Day 117 October Mountain Shelter to Dalton, MA (11.8 miles) 1568.7 miles total.

Cool and a few sprinkles today. Pretty good day for hiking.

Spending most of the time on ridge lines so hiking is fairly easy but views are limited.

Trail goes right through Dalton. Seems like a nice town. If you zoom in on photo below you will see AT sign hanging on porch of house.

Factoid of day: Dalton is the home of Crane Paper. Crane makes paper and is the supplier of all paper currency for the US and some other countries. They make the paper and ship it (under armed guard) to various mints for printing.

Next stop is Bennington, VT. 42 miles so hope to be there Friday.

Happy trails!

Day 116 Main Rd to October Mountain Shelter (15.7 miles) 1556.9 miles total

Had a rain delay this morning. Rainy, windy, and chilly (low 50’s) early. I stayed at motel until they threw me out at 11:00. They didn’t actually kick me out but wouldn’t give me a late checkout. One of least “hiker friendly” places I’ve stayed.

No Uber so taxi’d back to Tyringham. Hiked in light rain for first hour or 2. Had to wear a jacket for first time in a while. Not supposed to get up to 60 today and intermittently strong wind.

Not many photo ops today. Most of the time in rain, fog, forest, or all of the above.

Have about 12 miles to Dalton tomorrow. Trail goes right through town…which is nice!

Happy trails!