Dalton, MA (USA)

I was able to get out of the city for my (annual?) hiking trip to Vermont! Left early (0545), using I-95, I-695, I-83 (gas in Harrisburg at 0810), I-81, I-78, I-278, NY-17 to NY-32 and NY-94 into downtown Newburgh (from the south) and I-84 (ate lunch at McDonalds in Fishkill at 1140) to get to the Taconic Parkway. Received a welcome call from Eileen (we talked a few times while I was driving north, before I lots signal). Used NY-203 to get to NY-22, then took State Line Road east into Massachusetts. Followed MA-41 and US-20 to Pittsfield, where I got gas (Citgo) at 1325. Continued on to Dalton, where I wanted to hike the AT before I drove the rest of the way to Vermont. With traffic and road construction, I was not able to get on the trail until 1400. I chose a hike (from the trailhead at Gulf Road, north of town) that allowed me to connect sections I last hiked in 2014 and 2015. Rain was threatening as I headed NOBO. I was joined by six Thru Hikers who had just walked through town - they scampered away quickly but I was glad, actually - not only for the solitude but because they wreaked! I had to climb a few hills to get to my turnaround point (Crystal Mountain Campsite) but I only got one clear view of any scenery (nice Berkshire peak vista as I crossed a power line slash) due to the thick cover of vegetation. I’d been in the area in Fall and Winter so I enjoyed the resulting shade this time. It wasn’t too hot but the humidity was stifling - my clothes were drenched by the mid point! There was also some serious mud in a few areas - this place had been getting a lot of rain during the previous weeks - but most of the trail was dry. I heard a lot of rolling thunder to the east but it never rained. On my backtrack, I met four more Thru Hikers and learned they were at the tail end of a Bubble that left Springer in late March and early April. I also ran into one day hiker just before I reached my car and got off the AT for a half mile on a gravel road. By the time I finished the 6.5 miles for the day (1645), I felt energized and ready for more trail miles! Unfortunately, it started pouring as I headed north on US-7 and this effectively dashed hopes for a hike in another section in southern Vermont. Still, I was thinking it would be great if the hiking during my entire trip was similarly timed to avoid the rain... Drove back to Pittsfield and used US-7 to get to Danby (it was raining most of the way). Arrived after dark (luckily, I was familiar with the procedure to get into the house that Elizabeth let me borrow). Got dinner (a specially made sandwich) at the Mount Tabor Country Store (1900). Spent some time teleworking before bed. Green Mountains, here I come! AT Today = 3.23 miles / Grand Total AT = 1134.52 miles