Day 121, Smugglers' Notch

Yet another recommendation for Vermont: Smugglers' Notch. Doug, from Lowville New York, actually recommended this ride. I set out from Burlington towards the mountains.

The road transformed from a hip university town, to a quaint village and finally to a dirt road cutting through the foothills.

I saw about three cars an hour on this road.

I was circling around Mount Mansfield, dabbling at 500 feet of elevation, mellow rolling hills to a paved road that would cut through the mountain.

Once on the pavement, the grade became steeper, and I climbed switchbacks up to about 2000 feet.

The road was breathtaking.

Fall is coming.

And finally, the notch.

I'm standing next to a rather uninspiring rock that marks the highest point of Smugglers' Notch.

Just before reaching the summit, cars lined the road, and I could hear the clank of climbing gear and people hollering out commands to their belayers' on the ground.

In hindsight, I should have stopped, and found a climbing partner. I miss climbing.

Instead, I barreled past the road sign indicating the next few miles were steep (18% grade) and flew down the mountain.

My bike has rim brakes and I wouldn't be able to stop if I tried.

Initially I thought wild camping would be feasible in the area, but after entering the forest, it quickly became apparent that the foliage was too dense, and not flat. That would mean camping on a damp hill, nestled between trees and bushes and definitely with all the critters.

Thankfully there was both a picnic area and state park campground on the descent from Smugglers' Notch.

I opted for the campground, as the picnic area was too exposed for sleeping soundly. When I pulled up to the ranger station, I picked up the last available campground. Lucky me.

My spot was nestled in a clearing of trees, about a 20 stair climb off the state park road.

Climbing stairs with my 90 pound bike is not fun.

Joe