Journal Entries

I hiked a short spur off trail to see Spruce Peak - a massive jumble of sharp-edged boulders. A solo woman hiker ahead of me left her poles and pack to climb for the top- my mates were ahead on the trail so didn’t get the view from the top. Headed towards Manchester and our first resupply!

@hammerhead - catching a view of Rutland VT from Prospect Peak - we will be there in a couple of days!

Checking the map - at Prospect Rock @hammerhead @toesalad @reneetougas - love hiking with this threesome!

Occasionally the trail is on a gravel road - nice without the mud!! Warm and muggy @hammerhead still has pack covered but the dripping has slowed down.@reneetougas and @toesalad walk off into the mist....

@hammerhead taking an end-of-day rest after getting his laundry on the line :)

Last mile up to Stratton Pond Shelter @reneetougas motivating me to keep moving up that peak- that hardest last push to supper and setting up camp!!

One mud-slide I couldn’t stop- the landing could have been messier- glad for quick-dry (albeit) dirty shorts!

While we hunkered down at the shelter waiting out the rain, The Long Trail was building on its Ver-Mud reputation. @hammerhead @reneetougas @toesalad are navigating through stepping from rock to log to puddles...sunshine above helps!

@toesalad and @reneetougas packing up from Story Spring shelter-we had crowded quarters but ever so grateful for a dry spot to hang out and spend the night.

Flora notes from my guidebook about these pretty Indian pipes - plants without chlorophyll that need fungi to help them absorb nutrients from decaying matter in the ground. So much ‘fine Beauty’ to enjoy while looking down at the trail for safe hiking!