🌜Guyot Shelter

14+ miles of hiking
Mile 1841

Big highlights today were the Franconia Ridge section- hugely popular with weekend day hikers and trail runners, and why not? It was a beautiful day and the mountains were impressive! Three peaks over 4,000 feet in close proximity.

There was almost no water available apart from the puddles and run-off from the trail (and I did see people collecting this for filtering and drinking-but I wasn’t that desperate). When I got to the Garfield Campground it was like a magical oasis, so many northbound hikers were relaxing in the shade and enjoying super cold spring water. Talked to a few folks and they were excited for my hike. I got a few gifts: an apple and some electrolyte drink mix… and perhaps the best trail magic of all: someone offered to take all of my trash!!😍 Earlier at Mt. Garfield someone gave me a maple syrup shooter(!) and a snack cake. People around here are so excited to meet through-hikers😎

I met up with hiker “HP” from Florida at the Galehead Hut and he was seemingly low on motivation (long day he said- and this is his first backpacking trip so it’s all new/challenging) so we decided to hike together to the Guyot shelter- which was fun. One major climb up and down. The shelter/campsite was super packed. There are so many trails in this area (not just the AT). I took a spot in the shelter since rain was forecasted overnight and HP tented. The rain did come as promised before midnight and I was happy with my decision, even though there were disruptions in the shelter (people arriving late, etc).

Tomorrow might be a later start- not sure about the weather 🤷Read more