Free Spirit’s ( Al's )

Appalachian Trail Journal

NH,VT & MASS- Part 4

Dates ........ Tuesday Sept 19, 2000
Miles ........ 23 miles
From ........ Vermont Happy Hill Shelter
To ............. The Lookout
Weather ... Cloudy, foggy AM 52degF, warm and humid afternoon, showers overnight

Tuesday Sept 19, 2000

West Hartford NH, The Lookout

I hiked, and hiked some more, putting in mile after mile after mile. Hiking is what you do on a long distance AT backpacking trip. Hike mile after mile until you reach shelter or can hike no more.

I was up well before the crack of dawn, refreshed and eager to hit the trail. I ate breakfast, packed up and started hiking and get into the rhythm early. It's a pleasant day, just right for making the miles and there is a tremendous difference in the terrain, crossing the Connecticut River from New Hampshire's mountains into Vermont. Until Killington Mountain, for the next 43 miles, there are no elevations above 2800 feet and the ascents are gradual.

Before I know it I'm in West Hartford at a cute little country store that tries to sell everything from auto parts and diapers to food. I take time out for some chocolate milk (now, I'd never drink that at home - and I haven't had it since I was a kid), an egg salad sandwich and a pastry. While I'm eating the owner, manager and cook makes me a couple of subs to go. I try to call home but there is no answer. I push on, across the White river and up over Bunker Hill, past Thistle Hill Shelter. Past South Pomfret I climb the switchbacks leading to Dana Hill and descend to Route 12.

There I meet up with a day hiker that shares some fresh fruit and water with me and I meet "Hmmm" - a through hiker that is struggling with a grossly overweight pack. We discuss the merits of a light pack and push up over the hill. It is a gradual 1000 foot climb to the next shelter. It's hazy, humid and I am sweating profusely and drinking an awful lot of water. From a hilltop vista you can see the rich green rolling hills and farmland of Vermont - in sharp contrast to the craggy rugged mountains of New Hampshire. Its as if you've crossed into a different country. At Wintturi Shelter I decide to push on to The Lookout, a privately owned cabin and former fire tower site that is reportedly available to AT hikers. I'm only a little tired, really - more thirsty then tired. I treat some water from the stream, drink up, chat briefly with Hmmmm who has now caught up with me, and push on.

After climbing most of the Pinnacle's 2558 feet, it is a long, mostly level walk along a woods road to the Lookout's side trail. At the lookout, I am in awe at the view. Even though hazy, it is spectacular beyond words. The cabin itself is a simple little wood frame one-story cabin with loft, fireplace and an observation deck built on its roof. There is no water, electric or privy. Hikers are welcome but admonished not to build any kind of fire and to leave it clean. I am the only soul here. It is very nice of the Pete's, owners of the Lookout Farm extending from here to the valley below, to make this beautiful spot available to hikers.

The Lookout - Lookout farm, VT

I hang my sweaty clothes on the porch to air out and enjoy the roast beef sub and orange/carrot juice I have carried since West Hartford. I look for a suitable location to tend to nature's call and nearly squat on a huge wasp nest in the brush. I find another location in a hurry. I take some panoramic photos from the deck and get ready to turn in, completely worn out, my feet aching. The sunset is phenomenally beautiful, so I put on some clothes - its much cooler now - and climb to the rooftop deck for a last photo.

Overnight there are showers. The roof leaks in several places and the water drops make a drumming sound as they fall to the floor. I check that my gear is in a dry spot and fall back to sleep.

 

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Last Updated 11/22/2000