The forecast predicted sunny and warm so I woke up early with plans to hike my first Long Trail miles of the year. Before departing, I did some chores around the house - it felt strange to be packing up a hiking backpack for the first time in months! On the way out of town, I got gas at Irving in Hanover (0830), where I also helped a lady fill the tank on her Prius. I soon got on the road and drove (via I-91 and I-89) towards Waterbury. It bothered me a bit that I immediately encountered serious dark clouds and, when it rained all the way to the hiking zone, I wasn’t sure I’d made a good decision... Decided to go hiking anyway. After getting off the Interstate (at US-2), I was able to cross the Winooski River and took Cochran Road and Duxbury Road to reach the trailhead parking (near Bolton) at the base of Camel's Hump. After getting geared up, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the precipitation had stopped but then immediately encountered a sign that said the trail was “closed for Mud Season.” I looked in the trail register and, once I saw people had used it the day before, headed (SOBO) into the woods (1000). On a perfect day, I would have tried to climb to the top of Camel’s Hump (6+ miles and about 3700 feet of elevation). Not yet feeling 100% ready for something that ambitious, I decided to try for the Bamforth Ridge Shelter (located at about the halfway mark). This proved to be a good decision and I steadily made my way uphill. I met some other day hikers who were returning from a landmark called the “Duxbury Window”. They said the trail conditions were good so I eagerly continued climbing. Stopped a few times (snacks and shedding layers) but was soon at a pretty overlook, complete with wooden bench & views of the Winooski River and I-89. After marveling at how much my perspective had already changed in 1000+ feet of elevation, I turned my attention to the Window, which was only a few yards away. As soon as I saw it, I was reminded of the Mahoosuc Notch in miniature. To get through the opening in the rocks, I would have had to belly crawl a pretty good distance. I’ll admit that I wussed out and took the bypass trail. It was wet enough that was already worried about the slippery roots and granite ledges above me so decided to focus on that. Meanwhile, it was getting cooler and windier… I got some views of the higher elevations and maybe even the Hump. It looked like there was snow up there (I’d already seen a few piles where I was too) and the clouds were blowing quickly through the area. My progress to the shelter contained at a steady pace and, before long, I reached the shelter. It was here that the mud made an appearance - I tried to visit the shelter/privy but ultimately wasn’t inclined to wade through a swamp. Started backtracking after that. It took a lot of concentration to keep my footing but I made it down unscathed. I stopped to talk to two different ladies (with their dogs) and we traded intel about the trail. Felt pretty good by the time I reached my car (1530) after about six total miles of pleasant strolling in the Green Mountains. It started raining again about 30 minutes after I finished my hike. I backtracked towards I-89 (on US-2) and stopped for lunch at Shaw's in Waterbury (done shopping 1430). As I ate in my car, the rain increased in intensity. Figuring I was done outside, I drove back south to the main area of Waterbury and had some drinks (between 1455 and 1545) at the Prohibition Pig Brewery. The place had a good vibe and I learned a lot about craft brewing in the area. Eventually, I left for home and (despite rain almost all the way) arrived at my condo by 1700. We’ll see how my foot feels at the end of today but I’m glad to have gotten a nice hike in before the bugs arrived! LT Today = 2.7 miles / Grand Total LT = 128.6 miles
