Date: 2017-08-23
From: Smarts Mountain Summit Tentsite

To: Ore Hill Campsite
Miles today: 12.9

8/23Smarts Mountain Summit Tentsite to Ore Hill Campsite 12.9 miles Total miles:  1783.8The storm passed through during the night, and this morning dawned chilly and misty. I wore my warm pull over for the first time in months while I was getting ready but changed into my regular hiking shirt when I left camp. Dustin and I stopped at the fire tower at the top of Smarts Mountain and, despite the misty fog, climbed into the enclosed observation deck at the top. We watched the fog rush by and could catch glimpses of patches of sky, lakes, and mountains. It was quite a show. The mist cleared as we hiked down the mountain to South Jacobs Brook. The descent trail was far less of a challenge than the ascent had been last evening. The brook was wide and beautiful, with the trail crossing it on a substantial foot bridge. Dustin, an avid fisherman, explained to me how he would approach fishing in the brook. We collected water and sat a while by the stream. As Dustin sat gazing at the water, I was reminded how he had always seemed at home in the outdoors, even as a young Boy Scout.  It is such a joy to be backpacking with him again, and to be reminded of the fine man he has become.  After resting a bit, we then began the ascent of Mount Cube, which entailed quite a bit of rock scrambling and steep climbing. We passed Eastman Ledges along the way and enjoyed the view. We stopped at an overlook and ate lunch on the open rock face while taking in the view. The final climb to the top was arduous, but an enjoyable challenge, although I was glad when we reached the summit. We could see mountains far into the distance, and we surmised over which ones I might be crossing in the near future. We then hiked down the mountain to another fast-moving stream, Brackett Brook, where we again obtained water and each of us packed an extra liter, anticipating another dry camp at our destination of Ore Hill Campsite.  I learned about an unusually wonderful Trail Angel a few days before, who we would hopefully meet today. Called the Omelet Man, he reportedly sets up every day along the trail and provides delicious omelets for all hikers. I had been told he was along the next road but was only open until five. Dustin and I covered the next 1.7 miles in record time, only to find that my information was incorrect, and that the Omelet Man practiced his culinary artistry along the next road, which was 1.8 miles further on. The topography in my guidebook indicated only a slight increase in elevation over that stretch, and the race against time was on. It was a fun challenge to see if I could cover the distance before five, and I made it with ten minutes to spare.  Unfortunately, the Omelet Man's unique set up under a large tarp beside the trail was vacant.  I rechecked the information in Guthooks to find that the Omelet Man was open until five every day but Wednesday, when he closes up shop at 2:30. I checked the recent entries in his log book and read reviews from countless hikers, thanking this special Trail Angel for his kindness and raving about the quality of his omelets. I am disappointed I will be unable to meet the Omelet Man and left a note in his journal thanking him for what he is doing for hikers. The next available campsite is too far along to make backtracking a possibility, and we need to get to Glencliff tomorrow so I can resupply for my upcoming time in the White Mountains. Dustin will also stay at the hostel tomorrow night before catching a shuttle back to Hanover on Friday so he can fly home to Denver.  Although our race to the Omelet Man proved fruitless, it provided us with extra time to be in camp together on our last night on the trail.  We leisurely set up camp, spread our equipment out to air after the rain last night, and prepared our dinners. Gravity arrived soon after and joined us. It was a special evening of camping to go along with the day of hiking. I am so happy and honored that Dustin flew all the way from Denver to share this experience with me, and I look forward to visiting him, his wonderful fiancee, Erin, as well as their puppies, Lily and Wilson, in the future.