LONG TRAIL: Day 14-20
Day 14: Distance hiked: 6.5 miles
Got up very early (4:30 AM) and Adam and I hiked down to
Smuggler’s Notch. Adam earned his trailname on this descent. I named him
Kartwheel after he fell about 5 times during the first half hour, one of the
times cartwheeling down the slippery rocks but somehow landing on his feet like
a skilled acrobat. We crossed Smuggler’s Notch, walked along the nice wooden
walkway over the swamp, and then stopped off for a brief snack and drink near
the visitor’s center before ascending the other side. It was a tough climb up
the other side with many roots, rocks, and undulating terrain. Kartwheel
advised me to never invite him on a hiking trip again. Due to how long the hike
was taking, we decided to take the first available side trail down to the road
and call it a day. I saw that Kartwheel was suffering and did not want him to
hate the hike and the trip as a whole, which already had had many obstacles and
setbacks. We took the Sterling Pond Trail about 1 mile down (steep) to a
different part of Smuggler’s Notch and were able to call in a ride from
Sterling Ridge Resort, our hotel for the night. The owner came and picked us up
at the trailhead in her pickup truck and we were off to the resort. Sterling
Ridge Resort was an amazing place and we had our own cabin on the pond with
fire pit and welcome beer package. At the resort we cleaned up and waited on
the porch for Southface to arrive. Once Southface arrived we drank a couple
beers and then went to Martell’s at the Red Fox for a late lunch. After lunch
we came back and hung out at the cabin for a bit. She and I later went to the
Hearth and Candle for dinner. Kartwheel did not feel very well and stayed at
the cabin and rested. When we got home, we sat by the fire that Kartwheel had
made. It was a great night!
Watch the vlog of this portion of the hike here: https://youtu.be/IMhhSrY-roM
|
Sterling Ridge Resort |
|
|
The Hearth and Candle |
|
|
Martell’s at the Red Fox |
Day 15: Distance hiked: 0 miles
Slept in a bit in the cabin and then enjoyed my first day
off from hiking on the entire trip! After waking up Southface and I drove into
town and bought groceries and cooked a great breakfast with eggs, bacon,
scones, fruit, etc and ate on the picnic table in our cabin’s yard. After
breakfast we did laundry at the Ridge and played bags on the resort lawn. After
laundry we went to the local winery, brewery, and then Brewster Pub for dinner.
At the winery we had a great charcuterie board. When we got back to the cabin
we made a giant fire and then went to sleep at 11 PM.
Watch the vlog of this portion of the hike here: https://youtu.be/IMhhSrY-roM
|
Sterling Ridge Resort |
|
|
Brewster River Pub and Brewery |
|
|
Winery |
|
|
Brewery |
|
Day 16: Distance hiked: 22.7 miles
Got up at 4 AM and Southface drove me to the Sterling Pond
side trail. I started hiking at 4:45, still mostly in the dark, and Southface
hiked up a portion of the side trail with me before heading back to the car.
After hiking back up the entire steep side trail, I got back on the Long Trail
near Sterling Pond, where Kartwheel and I had descended two days prior. Took in
the view at Sterling Pond, briefly stopped at Sterling Pond Shelter, and then
continued up Madonna Peak. Madonna Peak had tough trail to climb and at the top
of the peak the trail followed ski slopes. Came down Madonna Peak, steep trail,
and made it to Whiteface Shelter around 7:15 AM. I surprised two women getting
up for the day, not expecting someone to hike in to the shelter (in the middle
of nowhere) so early in the morning. Chatted briefly with them and then climbed
the steep path up Whiteface. Summitted Whiteface and then the rain started. It
was yet another slippery descent down Whiteface and it was a couple miles
before the trail became easier. Once it did however, the trail became much
easier. I then saw Adrian and Sasha getting ready at 8:30 AM at Bear Hollow
Shelter. The trail then became a road and then eventually came back and hit RT
15. On the other side of RT 15, I climbed up Prospect Rock, swung by Roundtop
Shelter, then descended to Plot Rd where I met Southface and Kartwheel. At that
point, Southface joined me for the hike as Kartwheel brought the car around to
another side trail near Corliss Camp. Southface and I climbed up and down
before ascending again up Laraway Mountain. Lots of rocky path at the top.
Kartwheel met us at the summit from the opposite direction. It was great to
have the entire group hiking together for the first time. We all then trekked
down to Corliss Camp. We shared the camp with two women and a dad and his two
sons, who had taken over the camp loft. Exhaustion set in for me and Southface
and I went to sleep early as Kartwheel talked outside with the women and dad.
Watch the vlog of this portion of the hike here: https://youtu.be/IMhhSrY-roM
Day 17: Distance hiked: 9.6 miles
Got up, moved slowly around camp, and then hiked with
Kartwheel while Southface walked down the side trail to the car. Kartwheel and
I climbed Butternut Mountain and ten descended and climbed Bowen Mountain. It
rained heavily at this point and we hiked through it. Made it to Spruce Ledge
Camp in great time. Southface was not there (we had arrived much earlier than
anticipated) so we continued on through Devil’s Gulch. Devil’s Gulch had large
boulders and a lot of scrambling. It was fun navigating the boulders. Came out
of the gulch and had another long climb before eventually descending to the
118. Southface picked us up and drove us to Grandpa Grunts, a college ski place
with a great basement loaded with a lounge, pool tables, darts, etc, and free
laundry. We found a good room (we were the only guests in the three store
hostel) with a shower and showered up, then went to lunch at Bernie’s in town.
Tried Whiplash beer from Red Barn Brewing and had a great late lunch with a
large ice cream sundae for dessert. Kartwheel slammed back two chocolate milks.
After lunch we did laundry, played pool, and then went to the Belfry for
dinner. After dinner we stopped at the Snowshoe Lodge for a beer before going
to bed.
Watch the vlog of this portion of the hike here: https://youtu.be/IMhhSrY-roM
|
Grandpa Grunts |
|
|
Red Barn Brewing |
|
|
Bernie’s Restaurant and Bar |
|
|
Snow Shoe Lodge and Pub |
|
|
The Belfry |
Day 18: Distance hiked: 16.8 miles
We got up at Grunts, had a quick breakfast in the room, and
then departed back to the trailhead. We positioned the car ahead at Hazen’s
Notch and had a trail angel take us to 118 to resume the hike. We immediately
climbed Mt. Belvidere and continued up the summit side trail to a fire tower.
The fire tower was well worth it as we got spectacular views of the surrounding
mountains. We took some drone footage and then Southface had a snack next to a
snake! Slow descent from Belvidere and made it to Tillotson Camp. Read the log
book and saw that Shoe Gazer had spent the night there. Hung out for a little
bit, saw the view of the mountains with windmills, then a steep climb up and
descent of Tillotson Peak. Very challenging trail that followed streambeds for
a while. Many deep swamps to navigate across. Moving slow. Had to leave
Southface and Kartwheel behind in order to achieve the necessary mileage for
the day before dusk and still enjoy dinner with the group. I needed an extra
6.8 miles beyond Hazen’s Notch. I climbed Haystack mountain then steep descent
into Hazen’s Notch. Got to car, slammed a Gatorade and replenished my water
with a large jug we had purchased. Took off from the car moving fast. Climbed
multiple peaks before finally arriving at 242 at around 6 PM. Southface picked
me up at the trailhead, I drank a beer, then went back to Grunt’s where I
showered and then had Mexican night at Bernie’s. Went to sleep around 10 PM for
a 6 AM departure in the morning.
Watch the vlog of this portion of the hike here: https://youtu.be/IMhhSrY-roM
Day 19: Distance hiked: 12 miles (+.5 to Journey’s End Camp)
Climbed Jay peak first thing in the morning. Scrambling at
the top and exposed views but cloud cover obstructing the views. Hiked along
ski slopes and then descended. Stopped briefly at Laura Woodward Shelter and
talked with Shoe Gazer, congratulating each other on making it to the end. It
was a hard trail up and down Doll’s Peak and then descent to Shooting Star
Shelter. Then up Burnt Mountain and down to 105, Jay Pass. Met up with the crew
and Southface hiked the final 2.6 miles with me. A half hour later a severe
thunderstorm hit and the entire trail became a stream. We hiked through the
thunderstorm getting drenched along the way. Soaking wet and slippery trail.
Kept moving through drenching rain and hit the northern terminus at around 1
PM. Took pictures with the Northern terminus sign and the Canada/U.S. border
marker. Then took a side trail down to Journey’s End Camp and then Journey’s
End Road. Throughout the side trail, lightning flashed around us, and flash
floods raged through the trail and rivers. The entire trail was a rushing
stream. We had a tough river crossing. Southface moving the fastest I had ever
seen her move. Made it to the parking lot, Kartwheel drove in to meet us, and
we hopped into the car sopping wet and turned on the heat. We then started
driving to Burlington, VT and stopped at a pizza place on the way. Demolished
the pizza. Checked into the Courtyard Marriott in Burlington and I immediately
went down and sat in the Jacuzzi. It felt incredible after being in the cold
rain for so long. Also felt great on my muscles and bit up legs. We went to
Waterworks on the river for dinner and then watched the sunset from Splash at
the Boathouse with a beer on Lake Champlain. We then stopped at a place on Church
Street, the main pedestrian street, for another drink before going to bed.
Watch the vlog of this portion of the hike here: https://youtu.be/IMhhSrY-roM
|
Courtyard Marriott Burlington Harbor |
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/btvdt-courtyard-burlington-harbor/ |
|
Waterworks |
|
|
Church Street Marketplace |
|
|
Splash at the Boathouse |
Day 20: Zero day and departure
Woke up and had a great breakfast at the Marriott. Relaxed
all morning (hit the Jacuzzi again) while Southface went to the gym and ran
outside. Packed up the car and had a great lunch at The Farmhouse. Then drove
to the airport and had a layover in Philly. Had one last drink with the entire
crew at the airport Admiral’s Club before going our separate ways and arriving
home.
Watch the vlog of this portion of the hike here: https://youtu.be/IMhhSrY-roM
|
Courtyard Marriot Burlington Harbor |
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/btvdt-courtyard-burlington-harbor/ |
|
The FarmHouse Tap and Grill |
Comments
Post a Comment