Summary: hike from Melville Nauheim Shelter 8 mi or 6H up to Goddard Shelter and Glastenbury Mountain and then 4 more mi down to Kid Gore Shelter.
06:16 wake up on the lower shelter shelve. It is very quiet, I do not hear birds nor wind nor traffic, not even leaves. The sleep was very wakeful, but I went to watch start only once. So many stars of all magnitudes. Plus, it was hot in my sleeping bag and several layers of clothing.
07:05 – a tiny dark lady hiker from Wisconsin visited the shelter hoping to find someone, but there is no one here – just me.
07:20 I am already packed – ready to start the hike. The jacket is also packed. I will walk just in a hiking shirt. I am covered in a bug spray.
07:41 stop under power lines, rest and do a Duolingo with a view of the valley.
The trail is surprisingly wet as it just begging to dry out. There are no open piddles but a lot of black mud in the middle of the trail.
09:21-09:41 – hiked 2.7 / remains 10 mi, +16°C. Taking a break at the trail bend – Porcupine Lookout. Lookout is miserable, but the rest stop was memorable. Up to that point I’ve met 3 hikers and couple more passed while I was resting. My knees are OK – no more pains and aches. The body is performing well.
10:26 – I think I reached another lookout – Little Pond Lookout, but there are no signs or other indications. You can see up to four hill ridges and dozens of windmills on the farthest of the ridges.
11:03 hiked 5.12 / remains 7.5 mi. I will have a breakfast stop at next shelter in 3.2 mi. My speed in the last 2.35 mi was very respectable 1.9 mph.
12:35 only 0.4 mi to a breakfast stop after I’ve completed 7.81 mi. I begin to realize that pressure of incoming miles I stop enjoying the while experience. Instead of being present in nature, I am somewhere in calculations when and how I would be able to complete all these miles ahead of me.
12:57 – 14:07 – an extended stop at Goddard Shelter. Refill and filter water for the road. Use my water to mix with Grape Nuts, nits and dried fruits.
14:20 on top of Glastenbury Mountain – elev. 3,748′. In fall of 2022 they took out the lower flight of stairs to prevent people from climbing the tower, but that doesn’t stop adventurous NOBO(s) from reaching the top.
15:01 I am doing a control stop to monitor my progress and not to miss all the beaty around – elev. 3263′. Only 2.6 mi remains to shelter. Yesterday at that time I was riding south along unseen Battenkill River on Sunderland Hill Rd. parallel to route 7.
16:01 – I advanced 1.5 mi – only 1.1 mi remains. One more climb before the final descent to the shelter for today. I am taking pictures of my back trying to see if my hat is attached to backpack, but I can’t. I am not that flexible.
There are very little deviations to other trails in this section. You must follow the AT to get anywhere. Your only options are forward or back.
16:43 – hiked 12.24 /13.54 mi. Remains 15 mi for tomorrow and 25.7 mi to the end. Elev. 2796. Today’s highest point was the tower on top of Glastenbury Mountain (3750′).
Finally I am at the Kid Gore Shelter. Here there are two older gentlemen eating and discussing their miles ahead.
First, get into warmer clothes and go get water. Water is nice and transparent. Could it be the first time I am using the new bladder?
17:01 Next, good spot to hang the hammock. I am walking around inspecting possible options. There are three secluded spots behind the shelter, but I keep looking. The spots sprouting from the toilet path are nice, but too wet.
Send a location message to Lira via satellite.
17:21 There is toilet paper in the privy – incredible luxury.
18:08 I settled to spread the hammock inside the shelter attaching strings to rafters. The result is good. I will be slightly touching the lover shelf that is a desired stable setting.
18:27 There is no appetite, but water is on the stove. The meal today will be Quick Quinoa Greek Garden Lentil (vegan).
18:36 I am enjoying hot strong tea with one packet of sugar. As I am settling down, I am noticing chip monks’ presence and a great view to the east that will turn very special in the morning.
18:54 my neighbors have already settled in their quarters. They are doing the same section that I but going south bound and in more nights. They are tossing in their tents. There are no mosquitoes – strange?
19:10 Done with my food and drink. I am starting to settle myself. There is no signal, and it is warm and super quiet. I can only hear a plane somewhere far away.
19:48 the last picture of the day – a view out of the shelter. My things are drying out, and the picnic table is empty. Everything is ready to close this chapter.
Navigate through the List
- 01 2026-08 First August trip to Vermont (2026/08/17)
- 02 2026-08-18 TU First day so full of driving, biking and hiking (2026/08/18)
- 03 2026-08-19 WE - second hiking day - jump over Glastenbury Mountain (2026/08/19)
- 04 2026-08-20 TH - 15 mi day over Stratton Mountain (2026/08/20)
- 05 2026-08-21 FR last 10 mi to the car (2026/08/21)
- 06 2026-08 AT VT trip lessons and overall summary (2026/08/22)
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