Date: 2019-03-26
From: Sugar Run Rd 

To: Route 606
Miles today: 15.2

My alarm went off at 6 and I wanted to pretend I didn't hear it but I couldn't. While getting ready I realized that the supplements that came in my box yesterday were wrong. I'm missing my morning pills. I texted Brian to have him overnight them to Lickskillet hostel where I'm planning to stay tonight. We were ready and out the door at 6:45 and at the Circle K across the street getting coffee, something for me to drink on trail and waiting for DQ to open. Yes, DQ for breakfast and not ice cream. I had a biscuit with egg, cheese and bacon and it was pretty good. It was a 50 minute drive to the trailhead at Sugar Run Rd and River and I had good conversation reminiscing about our time together on trail and thinking about what's to come. It was a tearful goodbye as we hugged each other and expressed our feelings. She drove away honking her horn as I hiked away and I went from tears to laughter in an instant. It was cold and raining in the mid 30's and I wore my rain jacket. It wasn't a real rain but more the mist of walking thru clouds and the dripping off the trees. I hiked up towards the summit of Sugar Run Mt and kept my pace quick in order to stay warm. For a few minutes I regretted not having my hat and mittens but within 20 minutes I was toasty warm. I declined the added side trail to the actual summit since it was foggy and well honestly I didn't want to hike extra. Just after I began descending I ran into Firefly and Owl who asked me if I was River's hiking partner. We chatted about their intent to hike VT in late April and May and I wondered how mud season will work for them. Two other section hikers passed by after that but I didn't stop to talk. By 11:30 I was at Wapiti shelter having lunch. The weather was better so I traded my rain jacket for my puffy and after a 20 minute break I headed on. 2 tenths of a mile past the shelter I ran into a 4 way intersection with no blazes. I looked around and walked around for a good 10 minutes checking each direction and settled on the wrong one first but with the use of Guthooks map I finally got it right. Just past the small pond I found 3 guys sitting on the side of the trail. Guilt trip, sauce and young buck asked me if I were River's hiking partner also. We talked a few and as I headed off to stay warm Kbar passed by me and I told him his friends were waiting. The rest of the 8 miles to route 606 were flat and easy. The hike did have everything River promised though, rhododendron and pine forests, mud and washed out trail. When I finally had cell service 2 miles from the road I texted Mongo from Lickskillet Hostel to let him know that I was 2 hours early. When I got to the road he was there. He drove me to Walker Valley Market and deli which is Amish run and I got 2 fresh sandwiches, chips and lemonade. When we arrived at the hostel he showed me around, introduced me to his dog Mister and I settled in, ate a sandwich and watched Netflix. I'm the only one here tonight and there's just a couple of small electric heaters but I'll be warm enough. The potty is outside though so I'm hoping I don't have a 2am wake up call from my bladder! Brian sent my supplements out this morning thru USPS but unfortunately they won't guarantee overnight delivery. If they don't come tomorrow I'll have to think about what to do. I can only hike 15 miles out of this hostel.