Date: 2006-08-24
From: Wilson Valley Lean-To

To: Cloud Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

The pattern in the pebblesLeads to the pattern in the rocksThe pattern in the rocksLeads to the pattern in the bouldersThe pattern in the bouldersLeads to the pattern in the mountainsThe pattern in the rain dropsLeads to the pattern in the streamsThe pattern in the streamsLeads to the pattern in the lakesThe pattern in the lakes Leads to the pattern in the oceansThe pattern in the leaves Leads to the pattern in the branchesThe pattern in the branchesLeads to the pattern in the treesThe pattern in the trees Leads to the pattern in the forestThe pattern in the mountainsLeads to the pattern in the oceansThe pattern in the oceans Leads to the pattern in the forestThe pattern in the forestLeads to the pattern in the mountainsThe pattern in anythingLeads to the pattern in everything   More hikers did arrive last night. A young SOBO thru hiker named Brian, joined the older man, who cooked dinner using a self-heating food pack ¢ looks way heavy ¢ and a middle aged section hiker [Wringer?] retreating from the North, because of ¢bad blisters¢. His claim to fame was that he used to weigh over 400 pounds ¢ he looks about 170 pounds now ¢ and claims to have done it all with diet and exercise.   The two old men had a lot to talk about ¢ mostly advice directed to the other three of us on how to hike the trail. I noted that Don Quixote rolled his eyes a few times, but we were good about it.   Slept until 5AM, but was still rolling by 6:15AM, climbing up and away from the lean-to into the early rising sun, in yet another perfect hiking day. The ¢175 yard long scree field¢ of Wingfoot was more like a series of adjacent rock gardens to my eye and feet. Then it was over the top of the rise and a smooth descent down to Willow Brook ¢ followed closely by Vaughan Stream with its ¢waterfall to the right¢   After crossing Bodfish Farm-Long Pond Road you come to Long Pond Stream ¢ described as a ford by Wingfoot. It almost was necessary to ford today, but a strategically placed log afforded a dry ¢ if tenuous and tricky ¢ bridge over the troubled waters, and also afforded a second breakfast break on the North bank to contemplate if the log had been placed in its current position by human hand or by nature. Nature I think.   Then began the ascent of Barren Mountain. I never did see the trail to Slugundy Gorge and the falls, so I was surprised to arrive at Long Pond Lean-To. I loved this section, with the stream on the left gurgling and splashing in self-amusement ¢ I love streams ¢ and the early sun splashing its shifting patterns on the trail.   At the Lean-To, I spilled my Aqua Mira, as I was putting it into my Nalgene, and the subsequent five minute wait to prepare a new batch, led to the composition of the above poem, as I looked at the pebbles, the stream, the rocks and the perfect harmony of the entire scene.      The ascent then became much steeper, as if it suddenly decided that it was a real mountain. I now bow to each mountain before I climb it, and ask it for permission to ascend. I have also adopted a similar ritual at each water source and ask it for its water ¢ before you laugh, you should try it ¢ its realy neat and makes you feel apart of the entire natural world, by acknowledging your place in it.   I did not take the side trail to Barren Slide, since it was all apparently down hill, and I was soon on Barren Ledges. There I met with Anna and her two dogs on a five-day hike and we both admired the vistas. We tried to figure out which mountain was which, and thought that maybe we could see Mount Washington far off to the south, but neither of us was sure.   The remaining up hill was not bad at all and contains some spectacular stonework ¢ not alone excellent constructed stone steps but a stone lined water gully next to the trail. The MATC must have some realy good stonemasons!   As I approached the turn off to this shelter, I met with three young people ¢ two young women and a young man ¢ also taking the side trail to the shelter. It turns out that they are here to study the frogs in the pond. When we got to the shelter, they appeared startled to find a day hiker resting inside and, unfortunately for me, they have decided to tent down on the point below the shelter and on the edge of the lake. I can hear them down there occasionally, as I write these words, in solitary splendor, after the day hikers departure.      The lean-to, although close to the pond ¢ and 0.4 miles off the trail ¢ is surrounded by a small spruce grove, so that the pond is not visible, I got a photo, as I went down for water, and was struck by the thought that if this pond was in NH it would be called ¢Lake of the Clouds¢ ¢ oops! That name is already taken.   I saw lots of section hikers on the trail today. Got a good signal on the top of Barren Mountain and left KT a message, as I took my lunch break. I have just finished my ¢Second Lunch¢ ¢ coffee, English muffin [no bagels in Monson], and peanut butter, cheese and the remains of two snack bars. I plan on a little nap before dinner, as we wait to see what the rest of the day ¢ and night ¢ will bring us.Thought for Today ¢It is not the number of miles you hike each day that is important,It is the number of miles that you hike WELL each day!