South Egremont, MA (USA)

Weather was forecasted to be really amazing this weekend so I worked a short day (only until 0930) and then drove north. In addition to some AT goals I had, I wanted to see Eileen race in the Adirondack Canoe Classic ("90 Miler") and the whole thing was going to require some amazing driving stamina - "challenge accepted"! Used I-495, I-95, I-695, I-83, I-81, I-84, Taconic Parkway, NY-82, US-44 to Salisbury. It rained from about Hazelton until the Hudson crossing at Newburgh. Got a gas fillup at Rutters in New Cumberland (PA) at 1125 and another gas fillup at Gulf in Millbrook (NY) at 1525. When I reached Salisbury (1600), I switched to CT-41 (which later changed to MA-41 on the way). I had thought about hiking in Connecticut but decided to take advantage of the remaining daylight and drove to the trailhead (got turned around a few times in South Egremont) on Sheffield-Egremont Road. I was pleasantly surprised to find the weather clear and cool! Started my AT hike from the Shay's Rebellion monument 1630. I mistakenly thought I was heading south (due to the trail orientation when I started) but several switchbacks helped me to realize my error. Oh well - I wanted to hike on both sides of the road anyway! Because of the nice weather (mid 50s), I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Unfortunately, the mosquitos were merciless when they realized this - I had forgotten my bug spray - and I PAID (ouch!)... Most of the hike was through wide open fields - it was quiet and peaceful and I didn't see anyone at all. Sometimes, I heard the sounds of gunfire (skeet range?) but it eventually stopped. I turned around at US-7 and raced back to my car. Got some bug spray (probably didn't matter anymore though) and headed back into the woods (SOBO this time). The trail on the other side was completely different - swampy land, boardwalks, tall trees, roots and mud. Reached Jug End Road (my second turnaround) before dark and was surprised to encounter a young man (a LASHer) sitting on a rock, nonchalantly smoking a joint. He was dressed in long pants, long sleeved shirt (mosquito netting) and heavy gloves. He told me he had tried to Thru hike from Katahdin but gave up in the 100 Mile Wilderness, tried again in the Whites (unsuccessful) and was now attempting to hike from the Vermont-Massachusetts border to the south "until the snow came". He didn't seem extremely confident but his relaxed demeanor made it clear it didn't matter to him either way. Some of his intel about the gravel roads to the north was helpful for my long term plans... After our (short) discussion, I headed back towards my car. It got darker a lot quicker than I had expected (sun behind the hills, thick forest covering) and I walked as fast as I dared. I kept expecting to need my headlamp but (except for a brief moment in a muddy morass) I didn't use any lights. The trail, even in the dark, was still visible - there was just enough light for me to see the darker shade of the beaten path... I was glad to reach the swamp again because the tiny sliver of a moon was just enough to light up a tricky bridge I had to cross. Made it to my car by 2000, after around nine miles. Felt pretty good - the section was a good one to choose for the start of my weekend. I got cleaned up and drove back to MA-41, which I took it all the way to US-20 (retreading some of my drive in July) - took US-20 to the west until reaching I-90 - all the way to Albany. Then used I-787 and NY-7 to get to I-87. Drove north for another hour or so and stopped for the night at an extremely overpriced Quality Inn (by a lot, even with a discount, "because of the car show") in Queensbury (NY) at 2220. Despite all the extra effort it took, I was glad I repositioned to cut down my early morning drive (the next day) to just over an hour. In bed by 2300, knowing that I was a lot closer to being able to watch tomorrow's action on Long Lake and the Raquette River! AT Today = 4.50 miles / Grand Total AT = 1182.72 miles