Miles: 13.7; Elevation gained: 2,200 feet; LT mile reached: 117.5

We got going late – about 12:30 – because the Inn is mighty comfy and honestly I was trying to catch up in this blog! The original intention was to hike for a few hours, but we kept pressing on until dark and banged out about 14 miles. This stretch, really all the way to Brandon Gap, keeps you in the woods with no drama in terms of elevation changes or views. In fact, the trail goes along a ridge that overlooks Chittenden Reservoir for hours, and coughs up only one partial view. So it’s a good section to just cue up some music or a book, put your head down and just hike.

Oh – this is in fact the section containing Maine Junction, which sees the AT split off to the NE towards NH. It’s all LT from here on to Canada, in all its narrow, rocky, brutal glory!

There was a little more personal significance for me on this day however, as I crossed the spot where I blew out my ankle in 2018. Irrational as it was, I was nervous going through it, even though it’s a flat piece of trail (will always feel stupid). Felt good passing it all the same, and as I banged out the 5 more miles to Logan, I couldn’t believe I hiked out on that thing!