Return to Benton MacKaye’s special mountain
Stratton Mountain on the Long Trail
I feel very lucky to have had the experience to walk Vermont quickly, as I did last year, but also to walk it much more slowly this time. I woke up and did some stretching and yoga, but I had a hard time dawdling–I love Stratton Mountain and couldn’t wait for the beautiful climb up to the “birthplace of the AT.”
The climb was a little different than I remembered it and was over too quickly. I was so lucky to have a great view from the firetower on top–some clouds to add to the blue sky and fat, rolling green mountains in all directions with reflective lakes. What makes Stratton so fantastic is that its the tallest thing around for such a long time and its Long Trail hikers’ first peek at the amazing world of alpine-tundra vegetation–sand grain sized red lichen flowers and mushrooms the size of my pinky fingernail…Stratton Mountain is where Benton MacKaye dreamed up the idea for the Appalachian Trail and its view inspires adventure and kept me excited to keep walking to Canada.
Fire tower on Stratton mountain
Craziness–I saw a snake just a bit down from the summit! Who knew that such warmth loving reptiles could live at such a high elevation. Even crazier, I saw yet another porcupine (it was so slow that it patiently waited the minute for my camera to turn on) and a black bear! I couldn’t believe I got to see a black bear in Vermont! They are so sneaky and elusive here.
Vermont snakes live on top of mountains
I spent a good while at the view from Prospect Rock looking out at the valley where Manchester Center is before heading to Spruce Peak shelter, perhaps the nicest shelter on the whole AT. I got there to learn that all 4 walls, all 2 levels of bunks, all of the wood burning stove, and indoor picnic bench, and porch were for me alone. I’d say I was lucky, but it was actually a bit creepy. A previous user had left 3 cans of food behind which I lustly looked it, but decided to save for an AT thru-hiker since they were likely to be hungrier than me. 2205 gain
