Date: 2010-07-19
From: Danby

To: Manchester Centre
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Went for breakfast at "Up for breakfast", where I was able to sample the Vermont maple syrup with my pancakes. Delicious. A local named Leonard, who runs a taxi service, took me to the trail head. I had wanted to do 15 miles to rest my weary feet but he didn't know how to get to that trail head. 18 miles it was! I was glad that I did the extra miles because I was able to climb to the summit of Baker Peak where I had a great unobstructed (for once!) view of the Green Mountains. Along the way I came to Big Branch River. There had been signs from the Green Mountain Club warning that the bridge over this river was being rebuilt and that it was necessary to take a detour. I had been told by southbound hikers that fording the river was possible and not unsafe. The detour added 3 miles and I really didn't feel like doing 21 miles. So I thought I'd go to the river and see what I thought. I'm not one to take risks but I figured I could turn back and take the detour. One guy had crossed with water to his thighs (which would mean my waist) and I certainly was not going to do that, I have never forded a river before! When I reached the area, I hopped over the fence (already worn down from other hikers who had passed by) and surveyed the scene. I found a spot where I could cross using rocks. For safety, I undid my pck and carried it on one shoulder. I don't know if that is correct procedure, but I figured if I fell, I would not be trapped under it. I'm not sure why the guy crossed getting wet to his thighs however, the crossing was easy (and it had rained the night before). I suspect he didn't look for a good spot to cross.It started raining later and I used my new umbrella, ordered online. It's great and keeps me very dry although it means I can only use one pole. I had bought a slice of quiche in town so I ate that at Griffith Lake. This lake makes the area look like Canada which makes sense because Northern Vermont borders Canada. There are many pine trees and the temperature has dropped significantly since the Mid Atlantic. The downside is that it seems to rain a lot. I scaled Bromley Mountain which has a lot of skiing in the winter and I was able to climb to the top of the fire tower to see 5 states (well that is what my guide book said!). Then the last part of the day was down a ski run which was a novelty. I had to hitch for the first time in my life (I've avoided it on the trail so far), 5 miles into town. Some guys I had talked to had taken 25 minutes so I was apprehensive. I stuck my thumb out and about 10 cars went past without slowing. I thought, gee this might be tricky. However 1.5 minutes after I started trying, a man stopped to pick me up. He was a hiker, that's why he stopped. He drove me to my exact destination in town. I was pleased. I went to the outfitter to exchange my Osprey backpack. It had tears in the webbing, not due to wear and tear. Osprey guarantees its packs and are especially knid to thru hikers who cannot send back their packs. I would recommend them to all. I had fresh Mexican for dinner with lots of salad and veggies. I'd only have Mexican if I was not hiking the next day....there could be nasty consequences!