The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-07-26

Hooded the meadows for some distance
above 1t. In fact, on account of this
circumstance a portion of the work
that the Vermont clubs intended to do
III the way of survey of the country
will now never be accomplished.
From the site of active operations
at the dam, the little party of trampers
followed the highway for a couple of
miles and took to cross lots to the
Leonard place, where there is a log
ging road leading to the so-caIled
board camp in distinction to the
camp whose houses are made of logs
and here in the heart of the wilderness
there was a telephone, while white
throated sparrows were nesting and
as chickens an unusual contact of ma
ture and civilization.
1t was a mile or two in the ploam
ing up the West Branch to a lonesome
camp, the shelter of which had been
offered to the trampers for the night.
1t was hoped that bear or two might
condescend to call in the night, for it
was an ursine haunt, but the only
prowler proved to be the ubiouitous
and not uncommon hedgehog. Bright
and early the next morning the party
was afoot, tramping up the West
Branch-the branching stream being
the Deerfeld river, which makes its
way as direct as possible for the val
leys of Massachusetts MANY de-
tonrs for the birds, one Of them in the
uncertain light seeming to be the hood
ed warbler, and if true, perhaps a new
locality for this bird, which is NOT
supposed to nest north of Connecticut
The line of camps ended during the
forenoon and then it was an old trail
probably not trodden by human foot
for many year. 1t was overgrown
but was evident to the feet. especially
when some bit of corduroy presented
its nubbles and to the eve then there
We're remnants of bounding stone walls
OF the great, moss grown, log-stringer
Of an ancient bridge Finally in a
slash the trail was completely lost and
It was then a compass line due north
through the unbrokeu forest. 1t was
very convenient. the writer saws " to
have the maps of the geological sur
vey to point the way with their con
tour marks and streams, but it was
more fortunate to have had in the par
~ some woods sense. Presently an-
other road appeared which emerged
upon the Stratton turnpike. where a
cuIvert and great yellow birch serv-
ed for Identification marks. 1t was
evident that the way had lain just over
the edge into Sunderland.
Turning east the road led after two
or three miles to Grout s Mills, and
here at the time was the ubiquitous
automobile, come to prepare for the
Vermont clubs which were to gather
in the deserted settlement within
few days.
Down the Valley to Brattleboro
A detour was made here to visit
Circuit S pond lonely sheet of water
beloved of fishermen, a mile and a half
from the road At the old cellar hole
there is a superb view of the ring of
hills about and Just off the main road
at the Daniel Webster log cabin
erected when the great orator address
ed the, people at the foot. of Stratton
mountain-there is magnificent view
of Pisgah and the whole Haystaek
range, and the vast wilderness through
which the trampers had come, bounded
on the fest by the lovely Glastonbury
hills. That night the travellers found
most comfortable quarters in the
charming little inn at West Wardsboro.
The morning Of the next day saw
\ succession grass grown roads till the
party emerged on Taylor hill in Win
hall. from which there is a panorama
that one might well travel miles to
enjoy. To the west and near at hand
is Winhall mountain, then the Marble
in Dorset, Bromley in Peru,
and beyond, Stiles and Tabor In the
dim distance, as some one said, ''lke
a shadow on the sky was Killington
with its majestic peaks, while to the
northeast Ascutney raised its huge
bulk. Glebe mountain in Londonderry
closed the semi-circle at the east From
4 point slightly higher, Equinox in
Manchester rose on the opposite hand
and Stratton to the southwest doomed
so near that every tufted tree stood
out by itself ana it seemed almost as
if one could stretch out a hand and
touch them From this elevated spot
there was d leafv road to the iron
bridge over Winhall river and mile
of sandy level to Bondville, where
there was rest and cheer The final
included Fuller hill, with
every now and then lovely glimpses of
Stratton, Bromley and lesser heights,
and at South Londonderry there was
the train that winds through the beau.
tiful valley down to Brattleboro.