Date: 2016-07-27
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Kelley Stand Rd
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up and hit the trail early. Bade farewell to Peter and Joda. Had 12.5 miles ahead of me. Needed to camp at a location called, Kelley Stand Rd. Guidebook said there was a clearing with campsites next to a river on the AT just north of the road. More important to me was that location put me smack at the base of Stratton Mtn. The next day I would have to hike up that beast - the highest Mtn in southern Vermont.Stopped at the top of Glastenberry Mtn to take in the view atop the old fire tower. That structure was built in the 1920s. Made to last I guess. LC and Snickers were in their tent sleeping near the tower. Joda passed me on the trail shortly after the tower.The AT is definitely rougher here in VT than it was last year in Virginia. Very rocky trails. Constant ups and downs climbing over or in-between those rocks. And very, very few views in the high elevations. Where there were some, I wouldn't bother to pull out my camera. It was truly a "green tunnel" as some have described this part of the AT.But I made good time. Nine miles into my hike I stopped at a shelter for lunch, only to find Joda. Told me he had laid down and slept for an hour before I arrived. Gives you an idea of just how much faster an experienced thru-hiker travels on the AT compared to us normal folks.As I was munching lunch in came LC and snickers. They had gotten up, broken camp, packed and caught up with me. I felt like a snail. Peter showed up just as I was leaving, too. He was done with hiking. Looking to get out at Manchester Center. Said he might join me at Kelley Stand Rd or camp short of that mark because he was pretty tired. Off I went. Only 3.5 more miles to go. About a mile from Kelley Stand I came upon a beautiful camping spot. It was at the side of a wonderful waterway called Black Brook. I was really tempted to stay, but I pressed on for Kelly Stand. You see, I had to do a total of 14+ miles hiking the next day, which included climbing Stratton Mtn. I just didn't want to add another mile to that total the next day.As I neared my final destination I stepped aside for 3 hikers going the other way. One of them said, "Trail Magic at the road ahead." My spirits lifted immediately. Trail magic means someone was handing out free food! This handout is typically meant for thru-hikers. I decided a white lie was in order in this situation if necessary (or should I say my stomach made the decision)! Freeze dried gets real old real fast.As I turned to hike towards the magic, LC and Snickers blew past me. The breeze from their passing almost knocked me down. "Trail Magic" was all I heard from them as they went by. I tried to keep pace with them, but they quickly outpaced me and were gone.When I got to the road and parking area it was a beautiful site. Screened tent with two wonderful people waiving me inside (see photo). Inside were LC, Snickers and Joda - all smiling and holding beverages or plates of food. I was offered a chair and choice of beer or Gatorade (chose the later), choice of bun, meats, tomato, butter, potato chips, macaroni salad and more. And I didn't have to lie to get it! It was quite a feast.Afterwards I thanked the couple profusely, then rolled a 100 yards into the woods and found a nice campsite. As I was setting up for the evening, LC and Snickers trotted past. They were going to do that darn mountain - 6 miles to the other side and a campground. That means they will have done 18+ miles that day, including Stratton Mtn.Around 7:30 pm, 3 more hikers arrived and asked if they could share the campsite. "Sure" was my reply. They were 3 brothers from New Hampshire - all men with families at home. They were hiking The Long Trail from north to south. Had just completed a 21 mile hike that day - including that mountain at the end. They make real men out there in New Hampshire!When they finished setting up, we sat around the fire pit to chat. They ate mountains of freeze dried food. Homemade freeze dried food. High calorie count meals are a must when you hike that much and burn so much energy. They were great guys to spend the evening with. Just about hiker midnight (9:00 pm), we all peeled off and turned in for the night. There were more miles to hike tomorrow for everybody.