A girlfriend and I made a new tradition a few months ago. We decided that no matter what, how busy our schedules were or how far away we now live from each other, that at one point this autumn we would call a Hump Day.
It would have to be the perfect day, where the weather was just the right temperature, the wind was minimal and the sky just the most wonderful shade of blue. Maybe with a few clouds thrown in for dramatic effect. And no rain. I certainly wasn’t going to embark on this mission when I could be nailing out office work and cleaning my house.
We confirmed about two weeks before, when we could estimate that the weather was going to be absolutely awesome. I mean, really this whole week was the most ridiculously glorious fall weather, with the fog lingering until almost ten in the morning and then lifting to reveal stunningly blue skies. So, the colors haven’t reached their brightest point yet, but we all know that doesn’t happen until 2 p.m. on Monday so not to worry.
We confirmed the night before, both of us threatening the other that we each would be willing to pull a solo Hump Day if the other couldn’t make it. We both have crazy weird schedule jobs, where things come up at the last minute that you sometimes cannot ignore or push off, so that possibility was always there. But after years of planning, it was finally happening!!
I was up early, driving through the dark and fog, headed north on Route 100. The drive itself was stunning, up and over Mad Gap, and getting to see the colors through Moss Glen. The best part? Since I was up so early, there were no leaf peepers going 10 miles per hour under the speed limit and I could actually reach my destination in a timely fashion! Driving home took about 20 minutes longer.
Turning onto Camel’s Hump Road, I almost “pulled a tourist” to stop and get a picture. The fog was climbing up the hill of some farmland with the mountains in the background and the whole thing looked like a black & white image overlaying onto the foliage. I am actually kind of mad at myself for not getting out and taking the picture. Damn it.
From the Burrows parking lot, we took the connector trail over a sketchy bridge to the Forest City Trail. Our goal was to hit the Long Trail to the summit, because it’s one of the most fun sections of trail in the state of Vermont. Here you are, having this nice long distance walk and then the Long Trail decides, nope. The time for walking is over for a bit. Make sure you have everything in your pockets, because you are going to need two hands to maneuver up and over these rock sections.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s mostly up and mostly rock. It’s similar to the Spur Trail from Cooper’s to the Peak, but instead of being 0.2 miles it’s around 1.7 miles. I always joke about what it must feel like to do that with your thru-hiking backpack, especially if you are heading SoBo. Must be super sketchy descending that route, backpack or no. I always choose to go down the main route. It’s fun. You get to see all the people walking up as you walk down, see their off-lead dogs and listen as our conversations cross. Other groups were not discussing their Q4 goals.
As you get to the alpine zone, the world opens up. The trees are gone and you are literally up there above the clouds. It is so different from Killington Peak, 200 feet lower in elevation but so much more exposed. The exposed rock is younger by just a bit and the ascent of the hump is slightly sketchy but oh so rewarding.
Local rangers have nicely laid two pieces of string on either side of the path. These aren’t to assist you in any way but finding the path during a weather event and protecting the alpine plants from human wanderers. I would hate to be up here in a thick fog wandering around and fall off the hump. Or if the rock was icy. Yikes.
So what exactly is “Calling a Hump Day?” It is our Vermont tradition that on a day where the autumn weather is perfect, one can call in sick to work so they can hike Camel’s Hump. Because it’s one of those Vermont foliage moments you just don’t want to miss. Another moment of magic in our beautiful little state.
Merisa is a long time Killington resident, global real estate advisor and Coach PomPom. She serves as a Town Lister and member of the Development Review Board. She can be reached at Merisa.Sherman@SotehbysRealty.com
