June 15 - 16, 2014-Stratton LT Section - Kelly Stand to Rt. 11/30 via the Stratton Pond Trail

Day stated out find we could get to the trail head via the Kelly Stand Road, it was still under construction resulting from damage during Irene. We had to come in via the Arlington Road which add probably an hour to our car spotting. The hike in on the Stratton Pond Trail was fairly flat and very muddy in sections. We met a group of young kids hiking and running the trail. We got to Stratton pond in just under 2 hours which was 3.8 miles from the parking lot. What a beautiful setting, there appeared to be tent sites on an island, we'll have to come back and explore further. Hike for another 6 miles before we found a suitable campsite. We thought about tenting at Prospect Rock but decided against it because it was so close to the road. Also discovered  during this section I had somehow not packed the water filter, so we used purification pills. The next morning we had a cold breakfast because we were short of drinkable water, only having one quart between us for the 4.7 mile hike out to the car. Stopped at the Spruce Peak Shelter for a rest and filled a couple of water bottles from a piped spring, treated one with pills. Close to end of the hike we were past by a daughter and dad hiking team. When we crossed the road to get to our car they were hitching a ride down to Manchester Center, appeared they weren't being so successful. We offered to give them a ride to town, a little Vermont Trail Magic. They were from Michigan, she was Rocket and he was Michigan Wolverine. The dad had asked her were she wanted to go hiking this summer and she answered, thru hike the Long Trail. Drop them off and we drove back to pick up the car and headed home via Route 100. Total hike 14.3 miles which took 9 hours and 30 minutes.