Date: 2006-07-31
From: Crawford Notch General Store & Campground, NH

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut, NH
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: 0

Cell good.There are days that are better than others - today was an excellent day. I started at the Crawford Notch Campground, in their bunkhouse. I enjoyed my stay there, the place was well kept and the owners were very friendly. I started a little later in order to get breakfast in the General Store. I had a cup of coffee and two "Woopie Pies." You may remember all my raving about "Moon Pies" in the south, well they don't hold up head to head with Woopie Pies! They are kind of like Hostess Susie Q's, only better. These things are large compared to any of the others and much more tasty.The store/campground owner gave me a ride back to the trailhead, and I started to hike. The hiking went slow and steady, as it was a climb from 1280 to 3910 feet in two miles. The views of Crawford Notch were terrific! I would climb a little, then come to a rock crop with a view. I used those times to keep myself rested by taking pictures while resting. The climb went well all the way up.I was taking another break on top of Mt Webster when I heard a male and female coming through the brush. When they poped out, it was "Hinds Feet" and "Tinkerbell." They had taken a couple of days' break ,and had just gotten back on in Crawford Notch. They were planning to go further than I had planned, and convinced me to come with them. I pushed on with them, and I am now 1.4 miles from Mt Washington.The name of the hut is "Lake of the Clouds," and it is very nice. It is the largest hut in the AMC system. I'm doing "Work for Stay" tonight. I think I mentioned this before, but I'll explain it again. Just like what happened today, I didn't end up where I was planning to go - this is common with thru-hikers. Due to this unpredictability, we aren't able to make reservations, and need to be flexable. The AMC allows a few thru-hikers to help the Crew at the huts for their stay. For our efforts, we get dinner and breakfast, and a place to sleep. We helped clean the dining room after the guests ate their dinner, and we'll do the same after breakfast tomorrow morning. We basically wiped the tables and swept the floor. I ate chicken, stuffing, salad, homemade bread, and apple crisp for dinner tonight. There was plenty to eat, and I really appreciated havng such a good meal.Tomorrow Tink and I will hike together, and Hinds Feet will be getting off trail for another two days. We'll be going to the summit of Mount Washington right after the chores are done. We'll take in the sites if the clouds clear. We're planning on pushing on to the next hut, and try another Work for Stay. We want to take our time and enjoy the best part of the whole trail. We'll get serious about miles the next day, and we'll get down to business. We figure Hinds Feet will catch us at the Maine border in a week. Gumby and Cayotebec are ahead of us, and they'll be getting off trail for a few days to take care of some business. We're hoping we'll meet up again when they get back on. It would be great to hike Maine as a group, I hope it works.We're in the homestretch now - things are going to happen fast from now on. Old Goat