This trip was initially planned as a backpacking adventure with intentions of trekking 19.1 miles but due to a forecasted Nor'easter it ended up being an overnight winter camping trip; the second of the season.
I was very excited about this trip because of recent snowfall. I knew that I would be logging some snowshoe mileage. I thought I would be snowshoeing after I arrived at the shelter and trekking to a higher altitude to deeper snow but that wasn't the case.
I entered the trail at Rt.4 at Sherburne Pass and walked a mere ten yards and the snow was about eighteen inches deep. The trail was already packed by recent snowshoes so I dropped the pack and strapped on the Tubbs. I was giddy. I had been doing a lot of day hiking in the area and snowshoes were never needed. That's why I thought I would have to venture out after I set up camp to snowshoe. I was hoping for untouched snow but with a thirty five pound pack I was satisfied. The weather was a bright sunny day with a temperature of a pleasant twenty degrees and a crisp breeze.
I hiked for a mile when I arrived at Maine Junction at Willard Gap. This is where the Appalachian Trail leaves the Long Trail and continues north to Katahdin. The AT and the LT coincide in Vermont from the Massachusetts border to this junction. The previous snowshoe tracks continued north on the AT towards Deer Leap. The LT was untouched. New snow. Deeper snow. About two feet of the fluffiest powder. Perfect. I took my time inching along while I enjoyed the beauty of this valley. It was only a half mile when I approached the shelter.
It was late afternoon when I got to the shelter and a fire was my first priority. The snow was deep and most of the wood was buried except for this big ol' maple that was cut down and waiting for me only ten yards from the fire pit. Once again I was blessed with a decent supply of wood. I went to clear the fire ring and the last folks to build a fire here never cleaned out the pit so frozen half burned logs had to be dug out. Something that I should not have to do. A "Leave no trace" principle. Eventually I got my fire going as the sun set. Just in time for the evening. I went to check out the water source and discovered it to be frozen. Oh well, I brought three liters with me so I had plenty if rationed right. Two liters for drinking and one for food prep.
The night was clear. The winter night sky has some of my favorite constellations so instead of going into the usual fire staring "trance" my head was looking up taking in the wonders of the universe. Before I knew it, it was nine o clock, my neck was sore and dinner was calling. Mountain House beef stew tonight. Basic but quick and easy. After dinner, loaded up the sleeping bag with my water, crawled in and quickly fell asleep.A very deep sleep. I bet I kept the critters away with my snoring.
I awoke at eight o clock somewhat chilled. The temperature was thirteen degrees and there were flurries as I stared out while having my coffee and using the last of the food water for oatmeal. Then the inevitable putting on cold boots in which this trip I had a hard time getting my feet rewarmed. I spent a good twenty minutes swinging my leg like a pendulum to get the warm blood down there. It's been a long time since my feet have been cold. By nine thirty I was packed up and on the trail. The forecasted Nor'easter was approaching so some of the hike back was nasty but when I got to the parking area the skies opened for a few minutes and the sun poked through. Great adventure. I wonder where to next. Greenwall shelter maybe.
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