After reading about upper Goose Cabin cooking pancakes for hikers each morning, I decided to make that my 25 mile target for the day.

The trail climbed back up through rocky, hills with pine trees towering overhead

I passed near Ice Gulch, a steep ravine that is so deep and shady that snow can sometimes be seen at the bottom well into the summer. There wasn’t any today, but it was noticeably cooler in the area.

The middle of the day was full of ascents and descents over more steep terrain. The change has been noticeable the further north the trail leads me.

Late in the afternoon, I hit a road crossing with a small stand on it. It was self serve with a little refrigerator full of soda, Gatorade and water. There were also snacks for sale. I took a lunch break here before pushing on

Just after the farm stand, I passed through the middle of an active pasture full of cows. A couple were right on the trail,  but stepped aside to let me pass.

Before making it to the cabin, I came across a Porcupine that had just waddled beneath a small footbridge. It was the first one I have ever seen in the wild.

I made it to Upper Goose Pond Cabin just as it was getting dark. It is a two floor rustic cabin run by a caretaker from the AMC. The upper floor has wooden bunks and the lower floor has a small dining area lit by a single gas lamp, a fireplace and a small kitchen.

I settled in for the night, eagerly awaiting pancakes in the morning!