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 23 – Glastenbury Mountain

updated: November 24, 2022

Stratton Mountain to Goddard Shelter
October 18, 2007

LT Miles – 16.3
Total LT Miles – 248
Extra Miles – 0.7

https://www.downthetrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Stratton-1.mp4


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 Little Debbie 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 Times They Are a Changin’, and Another Side of Bob Dylan.

I could not have scripted it better if I’d 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 wonder world.

The trail is silent and empty.

signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs


North of Story Spring, the path decides to throw some rocks my way.

I take a good long break here at this beautiful place and read over the register. It contains some Appalachian Trail hiker drama, all starting with an entry from a cranky guy who’s upset because he didn’t get a good night’s sleep… because two other hikers were apparently having sex in the shelter.

As you can imagine, nearly all the following entries contain comments about the event. Every sub-culture and circle of associates has its share of drama… “As The Trail Turns”

All of the excitement dates back to the August wave of AT hikers. The entries read like tales of passing ghosts as I’m alone in the woods, amid the living evidence of a dying season.

As always, the beaver remains elusive.


Lydia’s Rest

I reach Caughnawaga Shelter, which dates all the way back to 1931.

The structure still stands (In 2007), but it’s “closed” to overnight use.

The replacement is nearby – Kid Gore Shelter, with a nice view to the east.


One register entry reads of watching a moose in the clearing.

Another, from Ronin (Who I last saw on Day 20), says something like “I spent the last two years wishing I was on the helicopter that crashed in Iraq, taking the lives of my whole company. Today I’m glad to be alive.”

From the shelter I begin the evening ascent up the north side of Glastenbury Mountain – a mystical place.

I remember a particular sunset from the fire tower here in 2001.

The wind seemed to whisper unintelligible words.

Six years ago I was a 20 year old boy. This is the sort of place I imagine ancient cultures sent their young men as a rite of passage.


for Yahtzee

Ropes are tied to neighboring trees in an apparent effort to preserve the integrity of the structure.

The tower was built in 1927.

According the the Long Trail Guide, the tower “Affords a 360-degree view, which includes more wild forest than can be seen from any other point on The Long Trail.”

Mysterious disappearances in the area have led some to coin the area as The Bennington Triangle.

Wikipedia: The Bennington Triangle is the colloquial term for an area of southwestern Vermont surrounding Glastenbury Mountain which is said by some to be a “window” area for paranormal phenomena.

I descend alone in the gathering dark to Goddard Shelter. The spring is dark, deep, and cold. All is silent except for three lonely crickets that persevered until October.

Night falls as I eat macaroni and cheese and contemplate the day’s return to Glastenbury. I had often thought of this place.

WINDOWS OF GLASTENBURY

Have you been to Glastenbury Mountain?
Have you heard its winds blow?
Have you?

Did you set off from the South
Eyes set North
Beset by illusion,
Trudge to Katahdin,
Only to discover Glastenbury?

Did you climb its rickety stairs,
Did its winds blow in your hair?

Did the wind whisper,
Did you listen?
Do you remember?

Have you been to Glastenbury Mountain?
Have you heard its winds blow?
Have you?

 

Wow, you’re near the end of this journal! If you’ve enjoyed your time here, please consider leaving a donation for my work. There’s enough words here to fill a book… but considering the abundance of photos, I think this online format best portrays the experience I’m trying to convey. Thank you so much, and cheers!

Donate Here

<— PREVIOUS (DAY 22)

NEXT (DAY 24) —>

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.

Comments

  1. M Miranda says

    October 31, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    Considering doing the trail alone this month. I understand its dangerous and there are no park rangers this time of year. I hiked the Long Trail 13 yrs ago with friends.
    On a scale from 1-10 how doable is this plan (10 being very doable).

    Reply
    • Jamie Compos says

      November 18, 2017 at 6:07 pm

      Hi Miranda, sorry for getting back to you so late on this – I was on a 21-day Colorado River trip. I suppose it’s doable if you’re prepared for winter storms – traction devices, snowshoes, etc. You’d definitely want to go southbound and I’d rate the “do-ability” at maybe a 3 or 4, it depends on you experience and skill level with winter backpacking.

      Reply

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