Date: 2018-07-13
From: VT 100 - Killington

To: The Lookout
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast was served st 0700 and I arrived fashionably late at 0701. Steve, the owner of the motel, had a nice spread of fruits, muffins, cereal, and cheese. He also made blueberry pancakes to order.The lobby of the motel was cluttered with 50lb bags of coffee beans from India, Africa, and Central America. There were also several dozen smaller labeled bags of roasted coffee and a couple of scales on a table. I asked Steve the obvious question, ¢Are you in the mail order coffee business?¢ The answer came back, ¢Yes¢.  We discussed his business as I was enjoying a cup of freshly roasted and brewed Sumatran Coffee. It was very tasty, so I placed an order for a 3lb bag ($10) to send to my daughter. I usually mail order my beans when I¢m not hiking. I may have found a new supplier. Steve gave me a lift back to the trail and I was hiking by 0800. I was feeling good after coming off a great night¢s sleep and mega carb load. Within a half mile the trail reached Kent Pond, skirting the south shore for another half mile. A hotel that specializes in weddings was nestled on the east end of the pond. A little further along, the path crossed a road and passed below Thundering Falls. Although the falls were scenic, they would have been more spectacular after a heavy rain. The trail continued along a boardwalk after the falls. From the boardwalk was a clear view of Quimbly Mountain, the first climb of the day. It was a 1,300¢ ascent over 1.5 miles, making it a very steep climb. However, the surface was good here. That would hold true for most of the day. Before the climb started to increase in grade, I came over a hump and saw a turkey about 20 yards to my front. It was forging for food next to the trail. Before I could get my camera out, the turkey took off. A half dozen others would follow. As I was waiting to see if the turkey might come back, a couple of NOBOs passed by. I would play leap frog with them and 3 other Canadian hikers the rest of the day.After working up a good sweat going up Quimbly I was looking for spot to take a snack break. I found a perfect rock to sit on while crossing under some power lines. It was breezy here and it made a great observation point for Pico Slopes. Less drastic ups and downs continued until lunch. As I hiked along, about a half dozen SOBO thru hikers passed by. I had a short conversation with each of them. I stopped at a stream for water and found another good spot to break for lunch¢two slices of pizza I saved from last night (trust me, it was a sacrifice). After lunch the trail continued to descend to Stormy Brook, before rising 800¢ over 1.5 miles. About 14 miles into the hike the trail intersected with a blue blaze. The .2 mile side trail traveled up a old rocky road to a spot called ¢The Lookout.¢ It is a very nice enclosed cabin with an observation deck on the roof. I stopped here for dinner and to write up the journal entry. I was the first to arrive at the lookout. The three Canadians came up the hill about 5 minutes later. Three other hikers showed up within an hour. I had planned to go to the next shelter (about 2 miles down hill), but was contemplating staying put. The only issue was that I was out of water and there was none here. Say what, as I was typing the last sentence one of the Canadian Hikers asked if anyone needed water. He hauled some extra up the mountain. The trail provides. Looks like I¢m staying put!Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 4,190Descent - 3,420Grade - 10.2Weather:Day - 75 / SunnyNight - 58 / Chance of rainOver The Horizon: Hanover, NH