Long Trail Day! The Green Mountain Club hosted their annual membership drive with 10 scheduled hikes across the state of Vermont, almost all taking place within the Long Trail system. Fortunately, I’d seen a notification for the event on social media. This morning, I did some chores around the house until about 0845. After that, I departed Hanover (talking to Eileen briefly on the way) and used I-91, I-89, VT-14, Camp Brook Road, Bethel Mountain Road (with wrong turn), VT-100 and VT-125 to reach Middlebury Gap. I arrived to an almost full parking lot! I’ve passed through the area on VT-125 multiple times during the last few years but had yet to hike from the trailhead there. After getting out of the car, I met some other hikers who had arrived for the same reason - also saw six NOBO LT Thru hikers crossing the road and a man with a prosthetic limb who departed independently. The rest of my group showed up at 1000 and I was easily able to hook up with the "right" hiking buddies. With a car shuttle planned (for using the Burnt Hill Trail to access the LT near Kirby Peak), this was a rare opportunity for me to avoid an out & back hike. I joined four serious hiking ladies (“French Way” Camino completer, LT Thru Hiker, Kilimanjaro climber, local GMC trail guide) and dog, Sally, at 1000, we quickly relocated to the Burnt Hill area (USFS Route 59, Steam Mill Road) and began our hike. The blue blazed trail was very well maintained and we climbed about 1400 feet in 2.2 miles. It had been a while since I had hiked some serious terrain so I took my time. Meanwhile, the ladies made great time in the climb. To their credit, they waited for me on the ridgeline, even when I had to treat a blister and (later) got to chatting with another hiker. After realizing they wanted to finish together, I didn’t stray from the group again… From the junction, we could have gone north but no one wanted to take that route because it lacked a view. Instead, we headed south towards the Silent Cliff overlook. The foliage was just starting to emerge among the trees and the dry trail (rare in "Vermud") was easy to hike as we proceeded SOBO on the white blazed Long Trail. After our earlier climb, the descent was quite easy. We encountered NOBO Thru LT hikers (all very young) and reveled in their energy and excitement. I got a blister so ended up falling behind the group. During this window, I met the man with the prosthetic limb (I'd seen him at the trailhead) and learned he was training for Machu Pichu. By the time I was finished talking to him, I had to race to catch up to everyone else. Fortunately, I reached them before they turned off the trail to visit a scenic vista. The view at the Cliff was well worth the 0.4 detour (x2) with blue blazes. After snacking and relaxing there, with views of the Snow Bowl, we headed down to VT-125. Altogether, we logged 5.5 miles outdoors on a wonderful day in Vermont, finishing at our cars by 1355. I felt really good after this hike - what a relief to regain my “normal” on the trail again! After getting advice from Beth and Michael for paddling nearby, I shifted into paddling mode. Before leaving the trailhead, I met a young lady who was hiking the LT and had just met up with her boyfriend (he was day hiking with her). I next drove west (via VT-125) until I reached Ripton. From there, I took Goshen Road (dirt) and drove to the access road (dirt) for the Sugar Hill Reservoir. Later, I discovered that I had been driving a 0.5 mile section of the NCT during this time (need to research this for another hiking day!). Just before arriving at the dam, I encountered some firemen who were clearing brush - before I realized what they were doing, I thought they were having car trouble and offered to help (they liked that). Ultimately, I arrived at the boat launch just before 1415 and found that I had the whole park to myself. I spent the next hour (1420 to 1520) paddling on this wonderful pond! During my two mile clockwise loop, it was only me and one loon on the Sugar Hill Reservoir. After getting finished, I drove back to VT-125 and headed into East Middlebury (later found out that I'd completed 1.1 road miles of the NCT during this time). Next, I used US-7 to reach the Drop-In Brewing Company (arrived just before 1600). I'd driven there because I had heard that a GMC social event was supposed to take place there. I saw Ellen again and talked with her for a bit. Next, I went inside and got a pint of beer (Red Dwarf). While there, I met a guy at the bar named Jamie who knew a lot of the trails nearby. Back outside, I joined a larger group from the GMC (most who had hiked on Long Trail Day but I think they were almost all staff/volunteers). During the festivities, I participated in a raffle and won a Long Trail Guide Book (yay!). The social event was a great finish to an awesome day in the Vermont woods! Afterwards (1700), I headed towards home (via US-7, VT-125, VT-100, Bethel Mountain Road, Camp Brook Road, VT-14 and I-89). Along the way, I stopped to pick up a delivery at Staples in West Lebanon (1845). I arrived home at about 1915. LT Today = 2.5 miles / Grand Total LT = 131.1 miles
