Sleeping giant 4/27

A little north of New Haven CT, is this little gem of a hill. It's not overly challenging but there are several loop trails that are up to 10 miles. Sunday morning myself and my friend Susan, took the easier route, since it was her first time hiking in years. Still a good 3.5 mile walk around the tower trail was nice. We took the red trail back which is a little more rocky still you could see signs of spring, and the rainfall from the night before. I really enjoy sleeping giant because when I'm up in CT, its always there and a fast drive from where most of my friends live. It's one of those, I can't get out to NH or VT, but i still can hike. Normally this time of year, you have all the college kids out there training jogging the tower trail but we got out early.

Sleeping Giant Head rock 

The tower trail doesn't have a giant incline but it does have some really nice views you pass what consists of the quarry and the "giant's" head. The rest of the giant takes up there entire hill area, and on these trails you pass the arm section as well. What was nice about this walk, was the rain was coming through the rocks from the night before. Several small streams formed flowing down the hill side. As you all know, running water is one of my favorite things to taker pictures of.

This picture doesn't give it justice, but this was steady water.

Once you get up to the tower, you get a nice view of all the surrounding area, the sun was breaking through the clouds today, so we got a good view. Mostly it was just nice to be out, and about with friends. We talked the entire time, mostly planned on how to get Susan's husband Glen out on the trails, he's one of my great friends. One of these days, for now enjoy this view from the top. And keep on walking.

You can see the end of the storm, i love this tower.

Pico Mountain (About a month ago)

A delay in writing, had massive writers block lately.But today back to bussiness. Pico Mountain, VT.
First off, I stayed at Salt Ash Inn, in Plymouth Vt, If you plan on spending time in VT for a week or even a weekend, stop spending a million dollars at all those crazy ass hotels, Salt Ash Inn is owned by one person, his prices are amazing, and to be honest, He's a snowboarder himself. Someone who supports the outdoors, this is the second time I've spent a weekend here and well Al's one of the coolest people around. Stay at the Salt Ash, trust me, you will not regret it.

Tell Al, Derek sent you.

Pico Mountain, this weekend was very icy, and I mean giant chunks of Ice sitting right in the middle of trails. Discouraging, not one big, rocking it out. Damn right. I met up with Ian, Michelle and one of Michelle's friends Nicole. Bill and Gina we met up with later on, who are teleskiers and pretty bad ass themselves. But let's get to the trails, Pico is not a giant mountain but it has alot of fun trails. I started off on there Blue's but found myself wanting more, some of the Blue's there are steep but nothing really crazy, just lots of ice for power slides. I wanted to try Glades there, Ian was kind enough to try to teach me, and while I made it through every trail as best I could, there was much to learn. I am not fast enough (Just right at this time I'll get there) for fast turns between ruts and trees, it was a step above me, did i try it damn right I did. I learned alot, and having someone who well is a good teacher, I didn't feel bad at any falls. Its something I will need to work on as much as I can. On the top, I want to say far right there is a Black and A double black named A Slope, My first attempt on the single black I feel I did ok, I made it down, granted slow, even with a tree across the trail. The single leads into the double after its giant cliffs. Made me feel great. So I said I wanted to try the double black, I fell, and when I mean I fell, it hurt, pride and ego aside, I felt I could do it. It gives me again something to work to. I took a good one trapped a ski into my pants had to have Ian come untangle me, I was embarrassed. I thought I could handle it but I would do it again in a heart beat. Even though this trail defeated me at the top, I managed to make it down it, slowly but surely following my friends turns. By no means fast, think turtle, but I got down it. And they made sure I looked back and said "You just went down a double black after two seasons, you should feel damn good about yourself" I did, and I will remember Slope A, you are my arch enemy, I will come back, I will defeat you. Because I believe I can.

Comrades in arms.

With Ski seasons pretty much over, I'll be back on the trails, hiking more often, thanks to having weekends off. Intrested in walking with Doot, feel free to contact me.