Day 8: Fifty Years to Swim

• Kelly Stand (36.9) to Stratton Pond (43.9)
• 1903 ft ascended, 1496 ft descended
• Bonus miles: 1.8

The pond shimmered within the afternoon solar. Mountains encircled the shore. A small island rose from the water on one aspect, creating the attitude of a mountain vary mirrored within the water. The wind stirs the water, breaking apart it’s mirror floor and filling the air with light lapping sounds from the waves breaking on the shore. A loon glides silently previous and disappears underneath the floor. Moments later, a big Rock Rabbit surfaces with a joyful shake of his hair proclaimed, “This swim is worth all that hiking!”

Headed to Stratton Pond

One of my strongest reminiscences of the AT from 1975 was staying at Stratton Pond. It was the place I noticed and heard my first loon. The echo of that haunting name is all the time in my minds ear. I used to be trying ahead to sharing the pond with The Historan and Rock Rabbit. 

We felt robust in the present day amd the path began leisurely by way of the woods. Probably because of a lot rain the previous week, the fungi have been rampant. on one tree we noticed each turkey tail (Trametes vesicolor) and Golden mushrooms (pholiota squarrosa) on one fallen tree. 

We noticed many hoof fungi of various sizes.

Stratton Area

In 1975 the Appalachian Trail didn’t cross over the summit of Stratton Mountain because it initially had within the Twenties. Instead, it adopted previous logging roads and to the Lye Brook path to deposit hikers straight on the lake itself. 

In 1987, the AT/LT was rerouted up and over the mountain taking hikers previous the beautiful Straton Mountain view tower. 

Stratton Mountain

The hike up Stratton Mountain was comparatively straightforward. The forest modified from blended hardwoods to boreal firs. The air was heady with resin.

The tower seems, unassumingly, its legs tucked into the considerably stunted timber round it. After seeing solely timber and fog and rain for a lot of the previous week, we availed ourselves of the tower. 

I’m not a wennie, however I don’t love excessive issues that sway once I climb on them. I’ve discovered to color with a 20 foot extension deal with reasonably than climb a 20 ft extension ladder.

Rock Rabbit instantly began his ascent of the tower and The Historian was shifting that route. I made a decision I didn’t wish to be ignored so headed over, gathering my braveness. 

To my delight, the steps have been robust and regular. We had a beautiful respite within the tower having fun with the mountains round us. 

Unfortunately, I forgot we had an app to establish the mountains. Perhaps simply standing and them was higher anyway. Awe and surprise have been so as.

Carrying On

We have been pleased with our regular 4.3 mile march to the tower and determined to delay lunch till we had coveed extra miles. 

The redline miles in the present day have been 1.8 miles lower than our precise hiked miles. As a outcome, we had coered 7 miles after we stopped for lunch at 3 pm. 

No, Just No

We had a few mile to go to get to Stratton Pond shelter. We had initially thought-about urgent on previous that shelter however I used to be reluctant due to my love of Stratton Pond.

Eating lunch at 3 pm was in all probability a nasty thought, regardless that we had eaten our snacks alongside the best way. Our vitality was flagging and we nonetheless had a mile to go. We weren’t going additional. It felt arduous to succeed in Stratton Pond in and of itself.

I began singing loudly silly songs. In an effort to enliven our crew. I sang “I stuck my head in a little skunk’s hole” and “I’m somewhat pile of tin. 

I used to be nearly to ask Rock Rabbit and The Historian so as to add the sound results after they lower me off: “No, just no.”

Stratton Pond Shelter

We lastly arrived at Stratton Pond shelter. I used to be upset as a result of the lake was no the place in sight. I had hoped the sight of the pond would lighten the temper.

The Pond

We determined to go to the pond. It was one other quarter of a mile away, which appeared far. We soldiered on. Then there was the pond. It was rotated in my thoughts’s eye, as we had stayed on the alternative shore again in 1975 but it surely was simply as beautiful. 

Rock Rabbit headed for the water, shedding garments alongside the best way. Splash! He was in. Such happiness. The Historian and I watched with shared happiness for his unadulterated pleasure at swimming.

If you look rigorously within the photograph, you possibly can spot Rock Rabbit’s head in the suitable third of the photograph. 

After some time,  I made a decision to hitch him. It was cool and I used to be not as courageous so I solely shed my backside half and waded in to my thighs reasonably than swim. It was surprisingly heat and soothing after the day’s hike. 

Dinner and Bed

After our swimming adventures, we had a dinner of hen, peas, bowties and cheese. It was divine. There have been lots of people across the shelter however everybody was fantastic about sharing and the night was relaxed and simple.

As we climbed into our sleeping baggage, reflecting on the day, we realized Rock Rabbits, nicely not less than our Rock Rabbit, likes to bask within the solar, but additionally enjoys wild swimming. It was price making the journey 51 years later. We shall endeavor to seek out extra ponds.

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