Benton, NH (USA)

Earlier in the week, the forecast said “rain” but when my weather app didn’t show any precipitation this morning, I got ready for a hike! Left home just after 0900 and drove north on NH-10 until I had my choice of several East-West roads that crossed the AT. Chose the northernmost one (NH-25, Mount Moosilauke Highway) and was parked at the trailhead (new Benton) by 1010. Immediately headed SOBO into the woods. Temps started in the mid 50s and only climbed up to 59 degrees during my hike - still felt pleasant in a short sleeved shirt. It was overcast and breezy but I never felt any drops of rain, thankfully. There were two steep climbs in this section (the second one, to the south, was named “Mount Mist”) but I felt strong on the outbound leg and made good time to the high ridge. The greenery obscured most views of Wachipauka Pond, which was off to the East through most of the hike, but I could see it from time to time (down a steep embankment). There was evidence (but no photo opportunities) of wildlife all day - a frightened chipmunk (the sound he made would make you think I stepped on him), two barred owls (debating “who cooks for you?”), countless birds (chirping away) and what I believe was a bear (or bears) that was rustling and crying on the woods near the trail (I heard these noises in the same place two different times). The mud was pretty nasty in places and I almost lost my footing a few times. Meanwhile, the curiously shaped (and very scant) white blazes gave me fits all day - had to break out my phone map a few times because there were several unmarked turns. Despite the challenges, made it to my turnaround point (NH-25C, Tarleton Road) successfully (after a long descent). Turned around immediately and booked back up to the ridge. It’s almost always easier to do the backtrack then the outbound - the earlier experience gives you confidence that you can do it again... Stopped for a great view of a high mountain ridge above the Pond on the way back - it confirmed again that I’ve moved to a beautiful place. Only encountered four people all day, each of them within a mile of my car - one older couple and their dog on the outbound and a middle aged couple during the backtrack. The lady in the latter pair must have been afraid of COVID-19 because she extended her sweatshirt sleeve across her hand and covered her face with it (meanwhile, the guy seemed unfazed and talked to me as he passed). Reached my car soon after I saw them (1425) and checked my pedometer - it showed I’d hiked almost 10 miles. This was backed up by the signs at both ends of the section (4.9 miles) but the trail guide said I could only count 4.6 miles. There must have been a trail reroute since 2015... Oh well - I know what I really hiked! Got on the road quickly and returned home via NH-25 and I-91 (in Vermont), arriving by 1530. Felt sore but pleased to have squeezed in some AT miles on a day where the weather worked in my favor! AT Today = 4.60 miles / Grand Total AT = 1575.16 miles