Danby, VT (USA)

"Vermud" Day 3! The cold I'd feared hit very hard yesterday and it only got worse overnight - almost called off the entire hike today because I didn't feel well. However, I had a great opportunity for a car shuttle with Eileen this morning - and the weather was perfect - so I didn't scratch. We ate breakfast (special sandwiches and coffee cake muffins from the Mount Tabor Country Store at the house in Danby (0725). I was entertained by Eileen's quest for coffee. Spent some time cleaning the cabin and I lost the keys (!!) [note - after we got home, I learned we forgot to turn off coffee machine :-(]. Then we drove to Rutland and dropped off one car at the AT Trailhead on US-4. We continued to the K-1 Gondola parking lot inside the Killington Ski Area, where we bought tickets (0930). Our timing was pretty good and we got in one of the first cars to leave the lower level for the Peak (1000). We rode the Gondola for over a mile and were treated to great view of the valleys and mountains (towards the east). Had some deja vu again, this time from several ski weekends here when I was in high school - but I had no idea the AT was on the mountain back then. At the top, we explored the area near the lodge and got directions to the Cooper Lodge Shelter (my last turnaround on the Peak in 2017). The access trail took us across a nice gantry and then down a trail that wasn't clearly marked but, luckily, it was the correct one. We started NOBO from there and I was relieved that it was mostly downhill for the entire section back to US-4. We kept up a pretty good pace but weren't in too much of a hurry - saw a few good vistas, met some interesting people (though only a couple of SOBO Thru hikers and no NOBOs) and enjoyed the pleasant mountain air. It was great catching up on news and reminiscing about the past. There was some mud but it was much drier than the previous days. Total distance for the day was probably around 6.5 miles but can only count part because of an aborted climb (for weather) in 2014. We managed to reach my car by around 1345 and drove up to Killington again to retrieve the other vehicle. We watched a young black bear scamper across the road on the way - a nice surprise! After a day like today, I think I'm much more of a fan of "one way" hikes (rather than all the backtracks my hiking strategy usually requires). Said goodbye to Eileen near the Gondola and started the long drive home... Used US-4 to NY-149, US-9 and NY-254 to I-87, I-90, I-88, I-81, I-83, PA-581, US-15, I-270, I-495, with gas stops in Bainbridge (NY) at 1745 and Thurmont (MD) at 2145. Driving from 1430 to 2300: encountered rain in the Catskills and some construction in Pennsylvania (planned closures after 2100 got me again). Passed the time with phone calls with Erin, Mollie and Eileen. Sad to leave Vermont - hope to come back soon! AT Today = 5.30 miles / G.T. AT = 1150.42 miles