October 5, 2007
Richmond, VT to Montclair Glen Shelter
LT Miles – 11.3
Total LT Miles – 99.2
Extra Miles – 3.5

The awareness of my location at first light has me up and packing quickly, before anybody wonders “What’s that tent doing in the park?” Everything is wet from overnight condensation.

I walk about a quarter mile to the center of this small town for breakfast at The Bridge Street Cafe. Breakfast includes four eggs, four orders of toast, three pancakes, and about twelve gallons of coffee. They serve Green Mountain Coffee, so I have some Original Blend, Vermont Country Blend, and Autumn Harvest Blend. The great breakfast and first infusion of caffeine in two weeks sets the tone for the day.

The distance along the roads from Richmond to the trailhead is six miles. The trail then leads south to Camel’s Hump. Since it’s early in the morning, and because I feel ready to hike through a brick wall… I choose to walk the roads rather than hitchhike. I figure it will also give me an opportunity to see more of the Vermont countryside.

One of the more interesting sights along Route 2

The old country store in Jonesville is closed.

…but the flea market is open.

The Winooski River

After six miles of the early morning roads, I reach the trailhead.

the view north from the bench

Bamforth Ridge Shelter is virtually brand new – with a high ceiling, so I can stand on the floor without ducking. The sun shines bright on the varied foliage at these lower elevations.

Somebody had a little too much coffee this morning.

The majority of the day’s hike takes places along the spine of the Bamforth Ridge, a rocky path with open views for much of the way.

I meet a northbound hiker on a steep section near treeline, and describe what’s ahead of him along the Bamforth Ridge. There’s a great tasting spring nearby, where I drink as much as possible and fill my bottles, so I can cook dinner on the summit. A number of day hikers are in the area – the first people I’ve seen all day.

Camel’s Hump is the finest mountain in Vermont.

Unlike Mansfield, there’s no auto road to the top, no television transmission towers, and no ski development. It’s simply hiking trails and wilderness. There’s a handful of hikers on the summit, as well as the GMC caretaker.

“I basically live on this mountain,” she says, “You’re only the second person I’ve ever seen cook a meal up here!” This evening on Camel’s Hump is likely my single most memorable experience on The Long Trail.

I continue for a mile in the dark under clear skies. The boulder’s surface is cool to the touch as I scramble down rocks on the south side of the mountain. Lights begin to twinkle in the valley below. The conditions provide for excellent night-hiking.

I walk up on Montclair Glen Shelter, and meet a man lying out on the rocks – looking at the stars. There’s three 15 year old boys inside the shelter, burning candles and joking about obscene things, as teenage boys do.

The interior of the shelter is smoky, so I set up my bed out in the open, underneath the stars. Those who live in the city never get to see a sky like this. Before dozing off, I count three shooting stars, two satellites, and one Milky Way.