Danby, VT (USA)

“Vermud” Day 1! Was up early and, after breakfast at McDonalds in Manchester (0710), took Rootsville Road towards the AT Trailhead. Unfortunately, Google Maps told me I could get there on a road that was actually private. The only other option was a rough fire road that had so many rocks it looked like cobblestones exploding. Oh, and there were huge mud puddles - it had rained pretty hard overnight and everything was drenched. There was also a thick fog everywhere I looked but the sun was starting to warm things up as I climbed. I started SOBO at 0730 but had to walk for over a mile and a half to even find the AT. Once there, I continued south and immediately encountered NOBO Thru hikers (too many to count). A young SOBO Thru hiker (“Fifty”) and her yellow lab (“Teddy”) ended up joining me after I left the gravel road and we stuck together for almost four miles. She was very interested in intel from the southern part of the AT and asked me lots of questions about my Section Hiking strategy. I was glad to have someone to talk to but that happened anyway as we passed even more NOBOs... Did I mention the mud? I’ve never been so dirty - I gave up trying to avoid the puddles and just embraced the mud bath. I turned around at the bridge over the Winhall River. Fifty gave me some filtered water from the reddish colored stream - I gladly took it. Headed back to my car as it warmed up. Now it was time to pass tons of SOBOs (again, too many to count). I remember this phenomenon from last year: thru hiker bubbles coming from different directions converging at the end of July in VT. Made good time back to Prospect Rocks and took some time there to enjoy the view (wow!). Sun was hot overhead by then and I felt like I’d jumped in the river because I’d been sweating so much. Finished at my car by 1245 after 10.5 total miles. Pictures don’t really even show just how much mud was on me - and it had dried. Good for my pores, right? After a short stop for ice cream at Manchester House of Pizza (1300) and a nice call with Mollie, went back to the house in Danby to rest up for some more hiking in the evening. Feeling a cold coming on... In the evening, I picked up some cough medicine at Walgreens in Rutland, VT (1745) and ate dinner at Pizza Hut in Rutland, VT (finished at 1800). After the meal, I ventured east on US-4, looking for potential trailhead roads beyond Killington. I found some promising leads but it was hard to find a way into the 18 mile section east of River Road - may need a shuttle so I can one way it someday. In Woodstock, I changed to VT-12 and found the AT crossing. Had some deja vu from my 2014 trip (had searched unsuccessfully for hostels in the area). There was only an hour of daylight left and big clouds threatened in the West but I decided to hike another mile or so before bed. Headed NOBO at 1915 and climbed to the top (steep) of Dana Hill. It was very quiet and I didn’t see any people at all. Decided to backtrack when I reached the ridge and made it back to the car quickly (by 2015) after around two miles. Spectacular sun/cloud effects. Glad I didn’t quit after the morning hike! More tomorrow... AT Today = 4.80 miles / G.T. AT = 1139.32 miles