Hike #31 Forget the Views, I Found My Quartz
Hike #31 | Day 4 Vermont | September 24, 2025 | Hiking with AGC | 12.32 miles, 2,136 ft ascent (3,458 ft including road walk) | Mad Tom Notch Southbound to Prospect Rock
We didn’t need the Weather Queen today, the rain announced itself before we even loaded the van. It kept us company all day, soft and steady, a misty soundtrack for our return to Mad Tom Notch, this time heading south.
Our first stop was Bromley Peak, part of the Bromley Ski Resort. On a clear day, hikers are rewarded with a full 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Today? Fog, rain, and more fog. No postcard views, just a reminder that sometimes beauty hides and you have to look closer.
And closer I did.
That’s when I noticed the quartz (quartzite), big, white rocks scattered among the colorful fall leaves. Some were so large I could sit on them, like nature’s benches. They shimmered in the rain, strong and timeless, and instantly made me think of my rock… my husband, Carl.
As the water dripped from the brim of my hat, I thought about all the ways he has been steady and unshakable in my life. Every wild goal I chase, every “crazy” adventure I throw myself into, every time I need to talk through something (out loud, and at length 😅)… he listens. He supports. He encourages. Through major business decisions, tough family moments, and all of life’s twists, Carl has been my quartz: solid, brave, and always by my side.
From Bromley, we pressed on to Spruce Peak and then Prospect Rock, both known for beautiful vistas we couldn’t see today. Still, I made it a point to check in with my rock when I had a sliver of cell service. Just hearing his voice for a minute was enough to remind me of the strength I carry with me on the trail.
In total, we hiked 12.32 miles (about 10.5 on the Appalachian Trail) today with 2,136 feet of ascent and 3,458 feet of decent if you count the dirt road walk back to the van. Slackpacking has its perks, but finding your way off-trail isn’t always one of them!
The forecast for tomorrow looks even worse, and for safety’s sake, we’ve decided to skip our final day of hiking here. After two straight days of steady rain, maybe it’s wise to dry out, reset, and carry these miles, these new friends, and these reminders, home with us.
Because sometimes the trail gives you sweeping vistas. And sometimes it gives you quartz, a reminder of the solid love and strength you carry, even when the fog hides everything else. ❤️