Date: 2015-07-15
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Sherburne Pass, Inn at the Long Trail
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

7/15, 18.3, Sherburne PassAnother milestone day today as we rolled past the 500 miles to Katahdin sign and put over 1700 miles behind us. It started out looking pretty gloomy as we woke up to humid fog and a little drizzle. Our goal was aggressive for a group of old guys but 18 miles is within reach, again, depending on the trail. We had heavy rain overnight and it was forecast to continue raining trough the morning so we expected the drier trail of yesterday to be more of a hinderance today, and it was. We started early at 6:45 with a 600 ft climb up Beacon Hill. My achilles would rather warm up with some walking but there was no choice today so it was talking to me most of the way up the hill. Once up on the ridge it settled in as we headed north to the highest mountain on the AT in Vermont, Killington Peak, home of one of this county's premier ski resorts. The climb ip Killington is long and relatively gradual on the AT rising 2200 feet over 9 miles. Mid morning we passed the 500 miles to go sign. It was likely placed several years ago since it showed a little early but since we were definitely crossing the mark we stopped for photos, both individuals and group. We are still four with Otter, Ironman Bill, and Just Pete joining me and if all goes as planned we hope to summit Katahdin together. The climb up Killington grew long as expected, the trail was muddy, then rocky and then very root bulged as it climbed the side of the mountain scalloping around the trees. The forest has become all conifer so the under canopy where we hike is open as the evergreens are very tall and block out the sun for any other plants but moss. Every now and then when light breaks through the forest floor becomes a sea of fern in vibrant green that looks soft enough to lie down in and drift off to sleep, except for today the rain has made it a constant source of moisture for our boots and legs as we hike past. As timing played out we recognized we would be near the peak of the mountain a little before lunch time. We were making good time and decided the additional 400 ft vertical rock scramble to the peak and over to the snack bar was worth a soda so we stowed our packs in the woods and began to climb. We reached the summit amidst the communication towers and weather station to no view since the fog had not cleared so we went over the other side and down a couple hundred feet to the snack bar. We were pleasantly surprised to discover the snack bar was a mountain top restaurant in the ski area that is operated all summer for day hikers and mountain bikers so our snack became a substantial lunch! As we ate in the dining area the fog was rolling in and out and we could see that once cleared the view would be worth the pause in our progress. We finished lunch, cleared the table and began to look out to the mountains we have crossed, and north to the Whites where we are headed. We hiked back to the peak stopping to speak with several interested day hikers about our trek. Many people will ask right away if we are headed for Maine and when we answer in the affirmative they are awed and very complimentary. Some thru hikers seem to be bothered by this but we enjoy very much sharing the experience and encouraging those who say they would like to do it someday. After scrambling back down the vertical to our packs we loaded up and set out for the last eight miles to our goal. This section took us off the mountain and down through the woods but the trail was moderately rocky and still slippery wet from the rain so progress was a little restricted. Additionally the climbing and hiking was taking its toll on all of our legs so reaching our goal, the Inn at the Long Trail, took us until 6:30. We checked in at the bar to see about tenting across the road and learned it is not allowed unless the Inn is full. Fortunately, when you walk here from Georgia, their room rate is 26 per person and includes a breakfast buffet so we got room keys and settled in for the night. The local softball league was in the bar as we ate having a mid season gathering hosted by the owner here. He provided them a substantial amount of food, and the ball players took care of the refreshments making them a very talkative bunch. We spoke with many locals, all of whom were very supportive of our accomplishment this far and wished is the best for the trail ahead. We finished our meals and turned in for the night full of food and satisfied that we would very much enjoy our final 486 miles together! It is very surreal to say it but 486 miles feels somewhat like a short walk to the finish but I am sure the mountains ahead will remind us steadily of our challenge.Silverback