A series of loud bird calls woke me up before my alarm. For some reason our feathered friends seemed eager to greet the new day.
Packed up and started hiking. There was a bit more of the climb I started yesterday. Near the top was a sign for a "bad weather trail" which would be used if it was too wet or icy to safely climb rocks. I'm other words it got pretty rocky.
From there I pushed on to enter Vermont, completing the trail in Massachusetts. Here the AT joins the Long Trail (LT).
I really enjoyed Connecticut and Massachusetts. They would make a great section hike. Vermont is frequently referred to as "Vermud" so I have some sloppy hiking to look forward to. Additionally it is black fly season so the bug net may make an appearance soon.
Today though it was just beautiful hiking. Crossed paths with an impressively balanced boulder.
And an old, overgrown beaver dam. I started seeing dams in New York. Having grown up in the south, where you don't see a lot of beavers, they fascinate me.
Stopped for a snack at Congdon shelter which had a neat built in table.
The final bit of hiking led up Harmon Hill for a lovely view before I went down the steep trail to the Route 9 gap.
At the top I called The Catamount Motel since I had been warned that there was no cell service in the gap. They offer free shuttle rides to and from the trail for customers. I had made a reservation previously while in Dalton so I could take a break and do laundry.
Pete picked me up in the gap and brought me into Bennington, VT. I spent the afternoon doing laundry, cleaning gear, attending to my foot, and enjoying an actual latte. Instant coffee just can't compete.
I plan to zero here tomorrow. Zeroing or taking a zero is hiker slang for a day off (zero miles). My foot could use a little time to recuperate and the rest of my body could use a break too.