Day 13: Thurs - A surprising diversion to the ski slopes

Taylor Lodge to Bolton Valley

Cross country adventure day! Our plan today was to leave the Long Trail, take a bearing, and head over to Woodward Mountain to follow an indistinct trail that Billy had read about on a backcountry skiing blog. This would take us down to Waterbury...and to Ben & Jerry's icecream. Yay!

First we had to skirt around a beaver pond - with the bridge floating ominously on the surface of the pond, and warning of a 1.4m deep wade, we took the longer route around the edge. Beavers are fascinating! In this case, their long abandoned dam has completely changed the landscape. The pond isn't visible at all on Billy's 1948 USGS map, but now it floods most of the valley, dead trees stranded in the middle, and swampy grasses and low berry bushes around the edges. 

Beaver pond

It also encouraged other wildlife, such as this little fellow that we spotted under a log on the track!

Ribbit

We wound our way up and down along the ridge formed by Mt Clark and Mt Mayo, making a longer ascent up Bolton Mtn, a peak that has been long on our horizon.

Bolton Mountain - made it!

 It was shortly after this peak that we were to take our detour. Along our travels, we had learnt that Bolton Mtn had been converted into a ski resort in the 1970s. (And as such, didn't show up on our 1948 map). Rather than the forest wilderness that we were expecting, we were confronted with a region of criss-crossing ski runs and backcountry trails. There was even a sign pointing off to the run we could take.

Unexpected, but interesting too, as the ski trails were quite different from the Long Trail - more open, and less used. A nice change from the rocks and tree roots along the closed in Long Trail.

We swept down through stunning slopes of ferns, running alongside Joiner Brook that was gathering momentum as we descended.

Although we didn't have a clear map, all ski trails eventually lead to the resort, and by mid-afternoon we burst out of the forest and onto a gravel road. A few old, tired looking condo's came into view. I was excited by the prospect of a Coke machine...and when a deli came into view...woohoo!

The moment we dropped our bags at a set of wooden tables on the verandah, the rain came down. Perfect timing. It was going to be hard to move any further! We chatted to the shop attendant about life on the mountain (pretty slow, especially in summer) and were surprised when this large black mass wandered slowly up the stairs.

Meet Monkey. The "Newfie" (Newfoundland). Born water rescue dog. If you can get past the drool, he'll let you hang onto his tail and save you from drowning. Cool dog! His owner, Bryan, was also very laid back. A great pair!

Monkey and his owner, Bryan