June 20, 2014 -South Ridge on Camel's Hump - LT (Monclair Glen Lodge) to Camel's Hump

Started the hike from the Burrows Trail parking lot, took the Burrows Trail-Forest Trail connector to the Forest City Trail. The temperature was in the middle to upper 40's, cool enough to be able to see our breath. We hiked up to Monclair Glen cut-off. We made a quick stop at the shelter. Stopped at the junction of the Dean Trail/Long Trail for a snack/water break before starting the climb up to the summit of Camel's Hump. We thought it would be very wet on this section because of all the rain we have been experiencing but to our surprised it wasn't. We had only met one person on the trail until we got to within .2 mile of the summit at which point there were people everywhere. Rested on the summit and had lunch and enjoyed the view, last week when we were here there was no view except for rain. Got tied of the noise so we headed down the LT to the Burrows Trail which is a very uninteresting trail. Continued down the trail back to the parking lot. Total time on the hike 5 hours and 20 minutes. 

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.

June 11, 2014 - Bamforth Ridge Trail, Duxbury Road to Camel's Hump (Down Monroe)

We started at the Duxbury Road parking lot for the Bamforth Ridge Trail/LT. Only two other cars in the parking lot. This is a steady up hill climb of 6.2 miles to the summit. This was the second hike up this trail for me, third time for Cindy. The highlight of the climb was a large group of Pink Lady Slippers at a 100' section of the trail. When we reached the landing before the summit we were going to sit and have lunch, unfortunately there was a gentleman sitting there smoking a cigar so we head up the summit a short ways and found a place to sit. Once we finished lunch we decided to go to the summit, both having been to the summit to numerous time before, at least 30 or 40 time. Got to the top and it started to rain, so we quickly headed off the summit and down the Monroe Trail. It continued to drizzle rain all the way down, we met numerous people headed to the summit even in the rain, some were well prepared and other not at all prepared for the weather. 9.6 miles in 8 hours.

June 6, 2014 - Route 9 to County Road, Stamford, VT

We were on the trail by 7:35 after breaking camp and having breakfast. This section was going to have the most up and down hiking. There were numerous very wet stops along the way. We passed a couple of beautiful beaver ponds. We met 8 other hikers, a couple being AT through hikers. Stop for a long rest on top of Consultation Peak which was the high point of the hike on both days. Since we had all day to get to the County Road and the trail was wet we took our time. This section took 5:15 hours. Saw numerous newts, some very small barely an inch, also numerous toads and two snakes. Very little deer or moose sign.

June 1, 2014 - Codling Hollow Road to Route 15 over Suspension Bridge

Started off a 8:30 at the parking lot on Codding Hollow Road. This is a wonderful hike through some very nice forest. Meet 4 folks through hiking north bound. Also met three folks jogging from Plot Road parking to Roundtop Shelter and back. There were numerous folks at Prospect Rocks enjoying the sun. Total time time on the trail was 4 hours 31 minuses.