Down The Trail

Hike North______________The Long Trail______________Hike South

The Long Trail End-to-End Journal (Southbound)
October 18, 2007
Stratton Mountain to Goddard Shelter
LT Miles – 16.3
Total LT Miles – 248
Extra Miles – 0.7

When the day begins like this, you know it’s going to be special.

I lie in my sleeping bag on the dirty, wooden floor of the summit booth, and nibble on pop-tarts and fudge rounds. According to the radio it’s just after 6am, and the sounds of a young Bob Dylan fill the room. I’ve found a program featuring songs of his early years, with highlights from Bob Dylan, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, The Tmes They Are a Changin’, and Another SIde of Bob Dylan.

I could not have scripted it better if I had tried.

It’s less than a mile from the ski area to the summit fire tower. The path is mostly level along the ridge, and includes a long boardwalk.

There’s no sunrise to be seen from Stratton Mountain.

I reach the base of Stratton Mountain. The morning sun lights up the valley, revealing an autumn wonderworld.

The trail is silent and empty.

Don’t miss the next page! (This day continued)

Pages: 1 2