Day 20 - Little Rock Pond

Minerva Hinchey Shelter to Big Branch Shelter
October 15, 2007

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

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

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.

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.