Date: 2014-09-07
From: Upper Cold River Rd

To: Minerva Hinchey shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

September 7--Upper Cold River Rd to Minerva Hinchey shelter--9 milesCooler temperatures can sure bring the fun back into hiking! Today's terrain was no different--lots of steep ups and downs--but the cooler, drier weather meant that we could climb mountains with energy. The humidity of the past week really zapped our enthusiasm and ability to make those difficult climbs. Today, we felt as though we had our strength back. We said out goodbyes to our friends at the Yellow Deli and climbed into the car of Tom Plans Too Much for Mr Toads Wild Ride. He knows the roads well, so he sped around the curves on gravel roads, hitting every bump and pothole. From the back seat, the ride was a nailbiter. We were happy to reach the trailhead and thanked Tom for his kindness. He spends his entire summer shuttling hikers and only asks for a donation towards gas. You just have to have a strong constitution. The trail ambled along the Cold River and along thickly carpeted paths of pine. As we climbed higher, we could see the clear blue sky through the trees. It was an exquisite day!We reached a road and crossed into a thicket. Two large grouse flushed right in front of Siva, startling both of us. We reached the Clarendon shelter in time for lunch. The shelter was a clean three sides cabin with bunks, a table and a window. The lawn was mowed and the pines made for soft bedding in the tenting areas. We almost wished we were staying there. We walked down to the stream and soaked our feet in the cool water while we ate our lunch. I had a bagel with cream cheese and some really yummy cracked pepper and sea salt chips that I got in Rutland. Yum!After a long and leisurely break, we headed out again. The trail led steeply down to the road through a jumble of large rocks and ferns. I slid several times as I tried to negotiate the steep and rocky drop. However, I was so taken by the beauty that I often paused just to take it all in. We finally reached the road and crossed to the path that led down to a suspension bridge that crossed a deep gorge--the Clarendon Gorge. Crossing over the rushing water was exhilarating. When we reached the other side, we saw that a wide path led to quieter water with swimming holes. We found a perfect spot and played in the water and sunned ourselves on warm rocks for a good part of the afternoon. We had to tear ourselves away from this idyllic spot to begin the long, steep climb up. Because we were refreshed, we were able to quickly reach the top where two chairs had been left. We took in the view of the valley below where a small plane airport was. We could see Killington in the distance. Hard to believe that we had just hiked from there. We continued on a pleasant path until we reached the shelter. Several Long Trail thru hikers occupied the shelter so we found a very nice campsite and set up our stuff, fetched water from a piped spring (and treated it) and made dinner. After dinner, we set out to find the lake we thought was nearby. After about 30 minutes of following dirt roads, we came upon a lake that belonged to the Shrewsbury Outing Club. Signs everywhere listed what was not allowed. I laughed at the part that said "no public swimming!" What does that mean? Isn't most swimming public?!? Siva surmised that it must have meant thAt the public could not swim in this private lake.As orange hues painted the sky, we walked back to our campsite. As we prepared to climb into our sleeping bags we commented that today had been a perfect day. Life is good!