There is no point in hurrying, because you are not actually going anywhere. However far or long you plod, you are always in the same place: in the woods.”
~Bill Bryson
July 24, 2021
Hike from Griffith Lake campground to VT Rt 11 & 30
AT miles: 10.5
Ascent: 2004’
Descent: 2748’
Weather: perfect — sunny and temps around 70
Sightings: moose poop
High points: view from Bromley Mountain, relaxing at Jen’s house
Griffith Lake this morning was beautiful with the morning mist hanging over the water.
Thankfully the trail was flat for a mile or so, with stepping stones that made for easy walking.
We saw a tree growing out of a stump— a natural representation of rebirth?
We climbed Peru Peak (3419’) and Styles Peak (3392’) in the morning. The climbs were steep, but roots made a decent substitute for steps, so the ascents weren’t too bad. The picture doesn’t make this clear, but these roots are probably at 60° angle.)
The forest at the top of Peru Peak was full of firs and moss — mysterious and beautiful.
The trail was amazingly muddy. Mud is slippery, so we rejoiced whenever we saw boards on the trail — that meant we would have a few feet of mud-free terrain and thus reasonably solid footing.
Around lunchtime we summited Bromley Mountain (3281’). Bromley is a major downhill skiing center so the summit is completely clear. As a result we had incredible 360° views of the surrounding mountains.
Descending Bromley the trail followed a cleared ski trail for a while. What easy hiking!
The trail down was both muddy and rocky, so the hiking was not easy, but the descent was not as hard as others we have done recently!
We needed to get a lift to Manchester, where we were going to eat and resupply and spend the night at a hostel. As we got close to the parking lot we ended up talking with some day hikers. Dayglo innocently asked how hard it was to get a hitch from the trailhead to Manchester, and these lovely people volunteered to drive us there!
Manchester, Vermont, is a cute little village with good restaurants and interesting shops. I would love to spend more time there!
Hikers get really really hungry. I had a huge plate of wonderful ravioli at a great Italian restaurant and then a banana split at Ben & Jerry’s! When in Vermont, you have to eat at Ben & Jerry’s, right?
After we did some necessary grocery shopping, our hostess Jen picked us up and drove us to her house, a cute place just outside Manchester. We took showers and did laundry and hung out by the fire pit talking. And tomorrow morning we return to the trail!
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!