Date: 2010-08-04
From: Clarendon Gorge

To: Rt. 4 Rutland, Vt
Miles today: 17.4

"Banish the word "struggle" from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we have been waiting for." ~ Hopi EldersAugust 4, 2010 ¢ Day 122 - WednesdayDuring the night a heavy rain occurred for about an hour. I knew this would do two things. Make the rocks slippery as hell and the mud muddier then hell.Hollywood and I were up at dawn to hike out of Vt 103. I can't remember if I have written about this subject, but it does need to be mentioned. As a hiker, anytime I come to a road, gap or river it means two things. A walk down which can be steep and rocky, or a walk up that can be just as steep and rocky.Hollywood and I had a short climb out of Vt 103 followed by a long ascent up Killington Mt. 3850 ft. The first climb went smoothly in the coolness of the morning as we slipped and slid up the mountain. We sat at the top looking down at the gorge and the road. I could see a cloud mist floating just over the length of the gorge. To the right was Rutland airport and we had a clear view of the runways. Hollywood and I saw several planes take off and land from a different perspective, from above, which was really cool to watch.The rest of the morning involved the gradual climb up Killington. The terrain after crossing Lower Cold River Road took on a rugged mountain look. Tall fir trees dotted the landscape as the trail separated by several wild streams. I was walking at one point on a small ridgeline with large rocky streams on either side of me down below. The surround sounds of water running downstream over and around the boulders and rocks was incredible.Stopped for a break at Governor Clement Shelter where workers were refurbishing the shelter. Several SoBo hikers were there also with a fire going in the fireplace of the shelter. At first, the fire seemed odd to me since it has been so hot on this hike. But when I stopped for the break I realized how cool it was and why the fire was lit. The workers told us almost every year they have to do some type of wood work on the building because the snowmobilers who use the shelter during the winter strip the shelter's wood for fires to keep warm. (Hmmmm, no comment, you be the judge).The hike to Killington's mountain top crossed over several muddy bogs, small and large. The rain caused the mud to go mud soupy but I was glad it hadn¢t been a week-long downpour. I have heard horror stories of hikers from last year during the summer of prolonged rain post holing knee deep in mud.Finally at the top of Killington mountain I had a late lunch at a rundown shelter called Cooper Lodge Shelter. Several hikers were there, both NoBo and SoBo, sharing stories of their hike. It was a long descent the rest of the afternoon down to Rt. 4.All day long I was looking forward to Rt 4. I knew my reward for today's hike was one of my favorite stops on the AT, The Inn at Long Trail. Hollywood and I shared a room together for a much needed shower, laundry and to sleep on a bed. I had to really think hard about how long it had been since I slept in a bed. It was nice.Several hikers were camping across the street from the Inn on a grassy knoll. Kumquat, Yatzee, Tree, Tour Guide, Long Trail hikers and several other AT hikers whose names I have forgotten all came over to join the hikers from the Inn to McGrath's Irish Pub. This pub is one of the finest Irish pubs I've been in. Great beer and fabulous food. The interior of both the pub and the inn is of wood and stone. The building has been built around a huge boulder that had fallen thousands of years ago from the rock face above. Part of the boulder is a wall for both the Inn and it¢s pub. The furniture is built from old pine wood, the kind you see in rustic cabins. Comfortable and relaxing - in my opinion, this is a must stop for a hiker on either the Long Trail or the AT.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe