Date: 2005-06-12
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike:21.5/1718.4 Stony Brook to Thistle Hill ShelterToday's Wx: Good hiking weather today. Although we had the 3H's*, there was a nice drying breeze today.The rain showers began at noon and were light all day, but since 8:30 this evening, it has been pouring!In the office at 7:00 and at the shelter at 7:30.Caterpillars-They are all over the place, hanging from every tree and crawling all over. Tonight, I have to keep throwing them out of the shelter!Mama Grouses-several sighted today. As I'd walk by they'd chirp an alert to their chicks. The chicks would peep back and fly to mama. Thenmama would go into her "wounded bird" act to decoy danger (me!) away-how neat!Moose sign-Is everywhere with tracks and hugh piles of scat all over the trail. Glad I've already seen one so far.Garter snakes-I hiked through a lot of grass near rocks today. The speedy reptiles were everywhere-glad there are no poisonous snakes in VT (?). At Gifford Woods SP, a ranger said the garters have a bad smell. So today I caught and held a 10" beauty for a couple minutes and, sure enough, my hands did stink! Not sure if this is a defense mechanism or just their natural "fragrance" coming out.Lookout-I took the 0.1 mile left turn off the trail today. This takes you up an old road to a private property cabin which has a staircase to the rooftop. Once there, you can see several vistas, including a little bit of Lakota Lake.Trail magic-Coming into Cloudland Road you walk through a grassy field (as you do a lot on this section). Passing a large oak tree, I spied a large white trash bag on a limb about 8' off the ground-could it be?-YES it was! I scored a couple garlic potatoes and a green bean bag-both Mountain House meals dehydrated. Also, some Quaker chewy bars, three large Snickers, some jerky, pop tarts, crackers w/cheese, and some candy (Chewy Spree). Don't fret there was PLENTY left in the bag for more hikers! Thanks to whoever put that goody bag there! Too bad there weren't cokes in the stream nearby-I'd probably would have camped right there for the night!I visited Wintturi Shelter today for lunch and water. It has a red roof and is nicely situated beside a small stream that has a pretty waterfall to enjoy as you fetch water. I passed by Cloudland Shelter which IS open in order to reach Thistle Hill before dark. Cloudland is a 0.6 left turn off the trail and looks like a downhill walk. I'm here solo tonight and have a lot of wet (mostly from the humidity that makes you drip ALL day) clothing spead around on the hooks. Tomorrow, I have a 14.6-miler to the home of Dartmouth College-Hanover, New Hampshire. This will be my next to last state and I'm looking forward to catching the Early Bird and hiking the Whites.At Vt 12 today, I had a note on the trailhead bulletin board from EB (which was also directed to Dis and two others) concerning a visit to a great guy who helps hikers. I went to see him at his house, but alas no one was home! ;(When I was in Manchester Center, on the ATC website, there was an update on the AT numbers (as of 5 June):1360 Started at Springer Mountain GA1156 Reached Neel's Gap GA (30m)1123 Reached Fontana Dam NC (165m)195 Reached Harpers Ferry WV (1008m) Note-I was #12 for NOBO thru hikers.0 Have reached Katahdin so far.This hike is dedicated to Bones and Gaylord-Happy Birthday!* Hot Humid HazyThe ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVT 05