Cheshire, MA (USA)

Started our day earlier but found it was overcast and cooler. Undeterred, we stayed on plan, got some breakfast (McDonalds in Pittsfield at 0655) and then headed towards Cheshire. We parked next to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and our shuttle driver (Vic) arrived shortly after us. He drove us up the Mount Greylock Summit via some back roads on the west side of the ridge. There was very little indication of inclement weather and the forecast said “mostly cloudy”. However, it was VERY windy and cloudy (could not even see the tower!). We immediately (0830) headed into the trees, where there was a respite from the wind. Bob told me he had forgotten his walking stick with Vic and, as we encountered our first mud, it was clear that it would have an impact on our day. Bob was wisely cautious for the rest of the (mostly downhill) hike... We soon began to meet section hikers (climbing in the other direction). It was great to exchange stories and trail intel - several people welcomed Bob to the trail community. About 45 minutes into our hike, it started to rain. I resisted the urge to use a poncho for about 20 more minutes but eventually caved into the urge to stay a little drier. We then slogged through ankle deep mud and slippery rocks across the rainy terrain for the next several hours... We didn’t get any views through the fog or clouds but kept going towards the car. A highlight of this phase was when two trail maintainers passed us. They were cheerful and helpful. After they walked away, I half-jokingly commented to Bob that we should have suggested they add some more white blazes in the section (most were faded). About four hours into the hike, the rain stopped and the sun came out. At first, this was nice - but the temps soon soared into the 80s. We still had to dodge mud but there were also some flat, dry sections - especially as we got closer to town. I’d turned around at Outlook Road in 2014 so everything after that was going to be a bonus - I was therefore happy to see signs of civilization. That is, until Bob called out that his boot had blown out! It seemed OK at first but the sole eventually wore out completely - at Outlook Road, we had to decide whether to walk on pavement or the trail. A few steps on blacktop drove Bob to choose the grassy track of the AT across a farm field. Two hikers (#19 and #20 for the day) tried to help with big pieces of duct tape - it definitely kept us going a bit longer. We made it to MA-8 and then to the car by 1445 (after almost 8.5 miles). The sun was shining and lots of people were out on the bike trail. It felt good to have finished another section and we got a bonus when we noticed that Vic had left the hiking pole on the car. Then the hard part: driving home (ugh). We drove back via US-7, MA/NY-23 and the Taconic Parkway (major traffic jam), I-84 (got dinner and gas again in Montague at 1810), I-81 (tractor trailer fatality on opposite side of highway east of Harrisburg), I-83, US-15, I-270 and I-495 (major construction just before Springfield). Arrived home by 0015 and unpacked quickly. Very tired but glad we did the trip. Great hiking weekend - bittersweet because Bob will be moving away in a few weeks... It was a great send off, though, and I think he enjoyed the adventure. AT Today = 6.80 miles / G.T. AT = 1399.32 miles