Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-08
Mount Hunger.

MeSSfS. OrS'- mere IL something IN the
name Smith suggestive Of exploration. There was
Captain John Smith, in the early days of our his
tory his name brings back the recollection of a
bold, adventurous spirit, well nigh extinguished
by the unfeeng savages, when the lovely Poca-
hontas came to the rescue. Who has not heard
Of Paul Smith, the hunter and trapper of the
Adirondacks, and the man who has reduced their
Businesses to a summer resort, where upon the
piazzas of his hotel the tourist can sit and shoot
the tinid deer al HbjtumP (See Murray All
along the line of history these Smiths crop
ping out with this marked popularity of temper
ament a thirst for discovery
Well Montpelier has one Of these irrepressble
Smiths among its inhabitants. Whether he is of
the above-named stock, we know not; for when
we inquired, he only answered something that
sounded like Sixteenth annual stock" Be that
as it may; when he quietly remarked, the other
day, Didn't you know there was IA mountain
within three hours ride of the Pavilion, that from
its isolated position commands a finer view than
the celebrated resorts ON the White Mountains or
those ON Mansfield or Cancels Hump no one
thought of doubling for moment, but all ex-
claimed, " Lead on, oh - Smith" So, on Satur-
day morning last, party of eight was organized
to visit this (soon to becomel celebrated spot.
In the selection of this little band of explorers
the greatest care exercised, for an impartial
decision as to the merits of the location was of
paramount importance. Hence it was essential
that all shades of opinions should he represented.
When tmpper Smith marshalled his force it was
found to include mine host" OF the Pavilion,
representing the great public an officer of the
Lea nj A
representatives of the dry goods and insurance in
terests Warned by the omnous name of our oh
jective point, Mount Hunger, a plentiful supply of
rations was laid in, and at ten o'clock a. NJ. the
party was en- route OF the ride to the foot Of the
mountain little need be said, it is familiar TO all
pleasure seekers in this vicinity. 1t may be
reached by excellent roads, either by the way of
Mddesex Center, the way we Went or by the
Shady Rill road, by which we returned. Either
OF these routes is an easy, comfortable drive, and
the scenery ON each is well worth seeing, even II
one went further than the point where we
left our teams at the foot of the mountain.
Just before reaching Middlesex Center village
we diverged little to the right To see a rocking
stone, which we found after some search. 1t was
a large bowlder, so poised on the rock below that
one could easily rock it with the hands, while it
would evidently take n much greater strength
than that OF our combined party to have thus
placed it in position Leaving here we went at
once to our stopping place deserted house, but
with barn full Of hay. Here we defed Mount
Hunger with a hearty dinner, and depressing with
a strong hand the fishing" propensities of two
of the party, whom the sight of trout brook near
by rendered partially insane with longing, we
commenced the ascent.
OF this part of the trip, when the fact is taken
into account that no effort was made To find the
easiest way, but rather the most direct, 1t will be
readily acknowledged by most of the party, that
it was hard climb No difficulty was expert
enced the first third of the way, for an old road
was followed, which was quite passable except for
the underground and an occasional windfall,
From the end of this road to the summit it was
Work, but there was not one of the party who did
not forget his fatigue when the grandeur Of the
view burst upon him, To attempt description
of the glorious panorama spread ut our feet would
require the eye of an artist and the pen OF ready
writer, and we are not going to attempt it, To
the lover OF mountain scenery, this unknown
Mount Hunger will erelong become u favored re-
sort Standing alone, as it does, the scope OF the
view IN hlltI hhh Hlui' NhiiNu Nhhh AHhh VI hhN
mountain we know of in Vermont 1t takes in
the entire basin between the White Mountains ON
the east and the Green Mountain range ON the
west while far beyond stretch out the waters of
Lake Champlain, with the Adirondack chain in the
distance Cancels Hump and Mansfield stand out
boldly in the foreground and the nose and chin
of the old mans face are more clearly outlined
than from any point we have ever viewed them.
1t is charming picture, and well worth hard day
work to see. As we reached the extreme summit,
our leader pointed out a spring beneath shelving
rock and as we slaked thirst and felt the cool
refreshing breeze, we could hardly realize that in
less than six hours from homes we were In rs
clear an atmosphere and amid as lovely surround
ings as our friends ON the distant submits OF the
White Hills, or Mansfield Unfortunately VIZ
took no instruments to ascertain our altitude but
the GOODNESS Of the air made the bonfire we kin.
died feel very comfortable, aud we left the sum
init with regret, warned by the declining sun that
we must be ON our way homeward To Ms all Il
will be pleasant recollection, and when, as We
fully believe this becomes in the near future d
popular resort for the people of Montpelier anc
the guests of the Pavilion, let no one forget thai
Mr. smith, II not the discoverer of Mount Hunger
at least was the first to draw attention to its beau
ties. A second excursion thither is ON the tapis
which will make thorough survey Ms to the mos
feasible route to ascend, the height of the noun
tain, etc, and when u good bride road Is GU
through the woods. which can be done for SINAI
outlay, we shall expect TO see the mountain team
and saddle horses attling by, loaded with pleas
ure seekers and shall expect u hear them ac
knowledge 1t u formidable rival to the claims o.
either Mansfield or the White Mountains 7.
TINS revenues of the harbor Of Montreal Thu