Zero Day in Rutland and Hanover

Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Zero Day in Rutland and Hanover

After my excruciating foot pain yesterday and my wanting to give it up before finishing the day, I decided to talk to a pharmacist to get recommendations on the use of OTC pain killers to get me through the last few days of this section.  I have been using an extra-strength migraine headache pill with aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine in it, because that is all we had with us.  The pharmacist suggested I get Aleve and Tylenol rotate them.  I started that last night—we shall see if it helps.

A day off today will help with my mental attitude as well as give my feet a little recovery time. 

After spending the morning in Rutland, we drove up to Hanover, NH to check out our last parking place and get a hotel closer to it for tonight.  The parking area is on the campus of Dartmouth College.  We stayed at the Comfort Inn in White River Junction, VT. 

Governor Clement Shelter to Gifford Woods State Park

Day 23

Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Governor Clement Shelter to Gifford Woods State Park
13.9 miles

We woke up at 5.  Both guys left early with plans to stop in Rutland and go to the Yellow Deli Hostel, run by a Twelve Tribes spiritual group. 

After breakfast, we left the shelter around 6:30.  Killington Mountain was ahead of us. We had been told that Vermont was fairly easy until you reach Killington. I don't know about the easy part- -if he thought that then I was dreading Killington.  It is 4.5 miles to the top of Killington to Cooper Lodge Shelter. The climb up was dark, rooty, rocky, and on the edge with a worn pathway. There was still frozen snow on the ground.  It was cloudy and cold, despite the forecast of 70 degrees today. We saw lots of moose scat and fresh moose tracks on the trail. It looked like one had just been there and we wanted to see him, but were not so fortunate.  After 3 hours we reached the Cooper Lodge Shelter, which was sitting at the base of a .2 climb to the summit of Killington. We didn't make that trek, but took a short break at the deplorable shelter before starting the downward climb. Cooper Lodge Shelter is without a doubt the most abused shelter I have ever seen. It is a fully enclosed stone structure with a door and windows, most of which have been broken out. Trash and graffiti was all over, inside and out. It probably gets lots of use from locals due to it's location. Killington is a popular ski mountain- -the third one we have crossed in Vermont.

It's another 4.5 miles down to VT 4 from the top of Killington. This side of the Mountain is not as rugged and steep as the south side and we enjoyed the view of Killington behind us as we went down. There is a section where the Old AT and the New AT are both marked, we didn't know the difference, so we took the new.  

We made good time going down but my feet began to hurt unbearably. When we got to VT 4 I had to sit and consider whether I could make it the remaining 3.5 to our parked vehicle. I said I didn't think so but, considering the options, decided to make a go for it knowing it would be slow.  

One mile in we reached the Maine junction where the Long Trail and the AT part, the Long Trail going towards Canada and the AT going towards Maine.   

At around 4:00, we finally reached Gifford State Park headquarters where we were parked after taking several mini-breaks to let my feet rest.

I'm always glad to see the red truck, but especially today. We're going back to the Comfort Inn in Rutland for an unplanned day off tomorrow.   258.9 miles hiked, 42.9 to go to finish Vermont. I do not want to leave it unfinished.  I’ll have to figure out what to do about my feet.

VT 140 to Governor Clement Shelter

Day 22

Monday, May 22, 2017
VT 140 to Governor Clement Shelter
13.4 miles
8:00 to 5:00

Our shuttle driver today is Jerry Gross who lives in Killington, not far from the trail crossing.  We staged our car at Gifford Woods State Park and he drove us to VT140.  It was not a strenuous day today with the steepest  climb at the beginning of the day going up yet another Bear Mountain. 

It rained all day with a downpour in the afternoon.   We had to wade several streams, the recent rains put the water level over the stepping stones if there were any.  We were drenched by the time we reached Governor Clement Shelter. Two hikers had passed us during the day and were at the  shelter  when we arrived-- Chuck from Philadelphia started at Harper's Ferry and Conner (Banjo-mania) from St. Louis started in Massachusetts.  Both plan to make it to Katahdin. 

The shelter has a stone fireplace.  In spite of  the wet wood, Conner had a small fire going and was trying to dry out his boots by putting them in the fireplace.  We all  hung up our wet clothes with little hope that they would dry out overnight.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lost Pond Shelter to VT 140

Day 21
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Lost Pond Shelter to Wallingford, VT 140
11.3 Miles

We woke up early at Lost Pond shelter, and were on the trail by 7.  It will be a shorter day than planned  because we went further yesterday.  Not a hard day--not as much water on the trail or mud to walk through and not quite as many rocks.

Contrary to yesterday's lack of water, today we walked beside water for most of the day. Beautiful whitewater creeks and serene streams. Little Pond was beautiful and several locals were set up in the tenting area. Three men were walking out with fishing poles and loaded down with gear.  Seems to be a popular place--in the mountains but must be close to a road.
A beautiful waterfall ended our day.  Out to the truck and back to the Rutland Comfort Inn.  I guess we are getting soft.