Free Spirit’s ( Al's )

Appalachian Trail Journal

NH,VT & MASS- Part 4

Dates ........ Tuesday Sept 26, 2000
Miles ........ 14.4 miles
From ........ Caughnawaga Shelter to Rt. 9
To ............. Autumn Inn, Bennington, VT
Weather ... Cold AM, 28 degF, hazy, overcast. Hi near 50 during day.

Monday Sept 25, 2000

Glastenbury Mtn (3748') & lookout tower, Little Pond Mt (3331'), Maple Hill (2690') Rt. 9 Bennington VT.

I was groggy and sluggish, not having slept well. I was also anxious to hear if all was OK at home so I focused on getting to Bennington to celebrate my 1000th AT Trail Mile.

The outstanding feature of the day was the old fire tower on top of Glastenbury Mountain which had been converted into a lookout tower. Sadly, fire towers are pretty much a thing of the past. Electronic communication towers are springing up all over the high elevations, unfortunately.

The view from the tower was astounding, even if somewhat hazy. I took a series of panoramic photos and climbed down. It was cold and windy up there. The Goddard Shelter, less than a mile down the trail, offered a nice view from its open front deck.

I hiked over Little Pond Mt (3331'), crossed Hell Hollow Brook on its wooden bridge, ascended Maple Hill (2690') and took the side trail into The Melville Nauheim Shelter. No one was there. I used the opportunity to celebrate the passing of my 1000th mile by shaving 16 days of beard growth off my face. Also, I figured, it would improve my chances of getting a hitch into Bennington, 5 miles off the trail.

Hell Hollow Brook and footbridge

It was getting heavy overcast and threatening rain, so I hurried to Route 9, A series of steep switchbacks and a beautiful iron arch bridge over the stream took me right to a parking lot and the highway. Just as it started to sprinkle I got a ride and was deposited at the Autumn Inn on Route 9. I took a room, showered, did laundry and had a chicken dumpling dinner and a couple glasses of red wine. I called home and helped straighten out some problems (all was not well) then went shopping at the corner market.

It was nice having a warm room and real bed. The TV weatherman promised more cold weather and the possibility of showers.

 

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Spring/Fall hikes - 15 miles/day - Contact Al. aljohn@jmclum.com.
Last Updated 11/22/2000