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Day 11, 2020: Cooley Glen to Appalachian Gap

Miles: 16.3; Elevation gained: 2,500 ft; Mile reached: 163.7

A payback section for me personally, as when Cliff and I traversed the Lincoln to App Gap ridge, which passes over both Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski areas, it was raining and completely socked in. Moreover, as it turns out Cliff was developing trench foot here of all things. Today wasn’t a perfect day, but visibility was pretty good into the nearby valleys, base lodges and whatnot, though there was a low ceiling exacerbated by forest fire haze doing a continental drift over from the left coast. Crazy.

At App Gap, which is above the town of Waitsfield to the east, we were met by Chris M’s better half, Kate, who plied us with v&t’s out of a cooler, complete with fresh lime no less. We took a needed zero day at the Hyde Away Inn, the very spot where Cliff, despite convalescing from his hideous flesh eating disorder, still managed to clobber me in several giant Jinga puzzle sessions in a row.

Enough yapping- the scenery and terrain really tell the story in this part of VT.

Chris M caught this almost-sunrise off Grant Mt at the start this day (I was a tad late getting out of camp)

The dramatic stuff is cool, but this is the yin to that yang – sometimes you gotta opt for the
Sunset Ledges near Lincoln Gap. That’s the peak of Abraham poking out from my cap. Yes I know I’m not looking at the camera

A nice milepost to put behind us. Straight up Abraham from here

Abraham Summit. Still trying to catch up with Chris!

Off of Mt Ellen at Sugarbush

All above at Mad River Glen, including the single chair and the Stark’s Nest warming hut, where you can actually camp

Descending into App Gap. That technicolor 60’s-looking decor on the cliff is actually moss in autumn colors. Who knew? Not me

Last 2 pics are of Theron Dean Shelter, which sits on the cliff overlooking App Gap, and from where you have an excellent view of Camels Hump, our next in autumn colors. I

App Gap: You’ll come for the view- you’ll stay for the cocktails. Thanks Kate!

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