After my hike in the snow last weekend, I really didn’t expect that I’d get any more trail miles in the area until 2021. However, the weather improved dramatically yesterday afternoon and temps in the mid 60s were expected today - it seemed like a good excuse to work a short Friday! I left my house at around noon and crossed the River into Vermont (used I-89 and US-4). By 1300, I had reached the Thundering Falls AT Trailhead (on River Road, just east of Killington). The lot was full and more people (most from New York and New Jersey) were arriving by the minute! I managed to get a spot on the side of the road and headed NOBO immediately - fortunately, the crowds were headed the other way (to see the Falls). It was warm enough that I wore a short sleeved shirt - wow! This section wasn’t very long but included a steep climb to the top of Quimby Mountain - the ascent kicked my @$$! I think a lot of the reason for my discomfort was the lunch I ate before leaving the house. Despite my sluggishness, I made it to the top in just over an hour. From there, I walked along the high ridge and got great views of US-4 and a river in the valley below. There were clouds to the south end west so I couldn’t clearly see Pico and Killington - just glimpses every now and then. Visibility was better then I expected overall, though, because almost all the leaves had fallen off the trees. There was a cool mountain breeze on the ridge - it felt good. Didn’t see any animals but I encountered some people as I crossed a powerline slash. It looked like three young guys had taken out their family’s big four wheeler and driven up on tut ridge so they could use the wireless network - they were all pounding around on the ground, looking at their phones... I walked a short distance north and found the gravel road where I’d turned around almost two weeks ago - started my backtrack immediately. The return was easier and I began to feel a bit better but I had to really watch my step so I didn’t slip on the steep, leaf covered trail. Arrived at my car at 1515 and discovered that I’d walked nearly five miles (farther then expected). Wasn’t too tired and was glad to be done with that tough hill. Headed back towards home on US-4 (it was already getting dark) and made more hiking plans for the next day. I’m SO close to being done with the AT in Vermont - hoping to finish this weekend! AT Today = 2.2 miles / Grand Total AT = 1721.0 miles
