DownTheTrail.com

hiking guides, gear, and journals

  • LATEST
  • GUIDES
    • COLORADO TRAIL
    • THE LONG TRAIL
      • LONG TRAIL SHELTERS
    • ARIZONA
    • UTAH
    • CALIFORNIA
    • HAWAII
    • ALASKA
  • GEAR
    • MY GEAR LIST
  • JOURNALS
    • GRAND CANYON
    • COLORADO TRAIL
    • LONG TRAIL
    • BICYCLING ACROSS AMERICA
    • APPALACHIAN TRAIL
    • DENALI
  • MORE
  • ABOUT

Day 20 – Little Rock Pond

updated: January 3, 2018

Minerva Hinchey Shelter to Big Branch Shelter
October 15, 2007

LT Miles – 13.2
Total LT Miles – 201.8
Extra Miles – 1.2

Minerva Hinchey Shelter

Ronin is up and gone at first light. I begin to stir shortly thereafter, and Frog gets up as I pack. We agree that Ronin must be ex-military, most likely returned from Iraq.

Frog is going into Wallingford today for a resupply. I’m tempted to go along, check out the town, and get a good meal, but it would be an unnecessary stop. If this were a longer trip I’d probably have a stronger craving for town, but not today. I won’t see Frog again.


another stone wall, north of route 140

the crossing at route 140

After about 4 morning miles, I take my first break near this cascading waterfall.

I steadily ascend White Rocks Mountain. A clearing lies near the summit, adorned with mysterious rock cairns. The designs are different than in 2002.

the view west from White Rocks Mountain

another cluster of cairns to the south

This page has some interesting stories about White Rocks Mountain and the nearby town of Wallingford.

I descend to a level area along a stream, and come upon some old stone ruins and rusted tools.

I’ll later learn that this is the site of Aldrichville – an abandoned village. It was settled in the 1880’s and centered around a textile mill, but later abandoned.

Little Rock Pond is a highlight of the southern LT that I’d been looking forward to revisiting. I spend the greater part of the afternoon here, and meet only two other hikers at this popular summer haunt.

Little Rock Pond is said to be a favorite spot of Earl Shaffer – the first man to “thru-hike” the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

Branch Shelter sits along a roaring stream called… well… Big Branch.

It’s my home for the evening. Last night’s campfire spurs the idea that I should build one tonight, so I set to work gathering sticks from the surrounding woods.

I half-expect Frog to show up, but it turns out that I have another shelter all to myself.

Nobody is around to enjoy the fire but me.

<— PREVIOUS (DAY 19)

NEXT (DAY 21) —>

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

About Jamie Compos

I'm the guy behind DownTheTrail.com. I love the outdoors, and the Grand Canyon is my favorite destination. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter (at the bottom of the page), or else I'll slip a rock into your backpack when you're not looking.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

My Best Gear for 2023

Backpack

Day Pack

1-Person Tent

2-Person Tent

Sleeping Bag
(3 season)

Sleeping Bag
(summer)

Sleeping Pad
(inflatable)

Sleeping Pad
(foam)

Camp Pillow

Thru-Hiking Shoes

Sturdy Shoes
(Rugged/Off Trail)

Trail Running
(minimalist shoes)

Road Running
(minimalist shoes)

Socks

Water Filter

Water Treatment

Backpacking Stove

Headlamp

Power Bank

911 calls via GPS

Thru-Hiking App

Packraft

SEE MORE DETAILS
(my ultimate gear list)

 

(purchases through affiliate links earn commission)

 

chart your course

Copyright © 2023 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact

This site feeds you cookies and is peppered with affiliate links. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT