Thundering Brook Falls Trail

Killington, VT

July 7

The checkout from the AirBnB near Cooperstown, NY, was by 9:00, by far the earliest checkout time I’ve ever dealt with. I knew it was only a three and a half hour drive to our next AirBnB in Vermont and check-in there wasn’t until 4:00 (pretty late check-in.) I did find stuff to do on the way- read on for more.

We took our time getting across the state border, stopping in the Adirondacks on the way. There was a welcome center/rest stop in the region so we stopped, took bio breaks, and I walked Ash all the way around the center before continuing on our way.

We still got close to the AirBnB way too early. I checked to see if there was any possibility for an early check-in and was told if there was, it wouldn’t be too early as there were renters checking out that day. That’s fine, we’d find something to do.

I found a short hike to a waterfall nearby so thought I’d swing by and check it out. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves at the Thundering Brook Falls trailhead on the Appalachian Trail.

AllTrails has this trail listed as an easy, half mile out and back hike with only 32 feet of elevation gain. There were about 5 parking spots in front of the trailhead, all of which were taken. There were some cars lined up on the side of the road so I parked in that line, got Ash leashed up and we set out on the short walk.

The trail starts you on a boardwalk through Vermont’s Green Mountains alongside Kent Brook, which is odd that the falls are called Thundering Brook falls.

But I digress.

There weren’t a ton of people on the trail. In fact, I didn’t see anyone until the boardwalk ended and we were hiking on a dampened dirt trail. It was wet, but not muddy (except in some areas that were slightly off-trail where some mud puddles had formed.) We continued on and started a slight incline up to a viewpoint where we could revel in the glory of the falls.

It was a beautiful sight, even if it was warmer than I’d have liked, and the humidity challenged that of the Midwest.

I took some pics and vids and we started making our way back down the trail when Ash decided he was going to find one of those mud puddles I’d talked about and laid down in it.

*sigh*

It wasn’t the type of mud that made him all muddy, thankfully. It was mostly detritus floating in water, so when he emerged, he was really just dirty and not muddy.

We got back to the truck and headed a little closer to our final stop when we happened upon a deli-slash-grocery store-slash-liquor store. I was hungry so I popped in and got myself a turkey sandwich and bag of chips that we ate in the truck. I leashed Ash up again and walked around the parking lot, which was butted right up against a massive stone cliff. We walked along the base of the cliff and just kind of meandered about until I got a message from the host of the AirBnB saying the house was ready if I wanted to check in an hour early. We made the last 15 minute drive up Vermont Highway 100 then making a right turn into the green hills. The driveway was well hidden by the trees right up against the dirt road, the only indication was a small break in the foliage and a mailbox at the end of the driveway. We made the left into the driveway that hooked back towards the direction we’d just come, up a small hill and onto the property.

The modular home was situated on a large lot with two outbuildings sharing the land. As you turn 360 degrees around in the lot, the only break in the trees surrounding the land is the driveway. We were well in the forest.

I offloaded Ash and started taking everything in, and I do mean everything. We were set to spend over a month at this location so we would need everything we took. I did some cursory unpacking, making sure I set up my CPAP, started some laundry, got some food out and settled in, ending the wildest five days I’ve ever had.

Conclusion

If we expand this experience to 11 days, from the time I left Cannon Beach, I can say I drove over 3,000 miles, crossing a dozen states, saw three waterfalls, took two hikes and saw such wonderful things, like The University of Notre Dame, Multnomah Falls, Devil’s Slide, Niagara Falls and the Baseball Hall of Fame.

It’s times like this that I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have. Being able to work from the road and having the financial and physical means to be able to do all of this means the world to me, and I absolutely do not take it for granted.

Our time in New England is just getting started. Keep an eye out for more amazing stuff as it comes. In the meantime, pics from this five day stretch are up on my Photo Diary.

Until next time!

-Phil