Salisbury, CT (USA)

The mountains are calling and I must go! Got up very early and worked a half day. Somber moment as I had to say goodbye to Robert (he was moving away). On the road by 1030 - started out on I-95 but reversed track to I-270 when I got a warning about major construction delays. After that, made great time to the Hudson River and didn’t need gas until I got off the Taconic at US-44 (Millbrook at 1620). Decided to return to the same area in Northwestern Connecticut as I’d hiked two weeks ago - the nondescript “fallen trees next to stone wall” would definitely fall out of my memory otherwise! Parked at the Lions Head Trail parking lot (Bunker Hill Road north of Salisbury) and met a day hiker (Andy) who’d just finished the section. Got some great intel on the approach trail and AT intersection and headed into the woods at 1720. Temps were great - I don’t think it was over 70 the whole time. Had to walk about 3/4 of a mile to reach the AT - mostly rocky and hilly but some pretty farmland too. At the intersection, I turned SOBO. I was bummed to learn that I’d need to hike all the way down to the bottom of the hill to find the turnaround point where Bob and I stopped last time. Oh well... Within a few hundred yards, I saw two other hikers (one going in each direction). Ended up passing one and didn’t catch the other. Reversed course at the checkpoint and started a steep climb back up to the top of Lions Head. Caught the hiker I’d passed and walked with him for awhile. He told me he was in his third week of hiking (Port Clinton, PA to Mount Katahdin) after he’d been forced off the trail during a previous Thru Hike. He was working on his 20th mile of the day and let me pass. It was SO rocky! At the summit, though, I got some tremendous vistas of the nearly flat valleys on a 270 degree of the hill (there were some mountains to the west) and it felt like it was worth all the work. Continued downhill and had to clamber across a lot more slippery rocks. Suddenly, the LASHer passed me with renewed energy because “the shelter is really close!” He found it shortly afterwards and then I had the trail to myself again. Crossed two wide and deep streams, saw at least one deer and heard the loud call of a distant barred owl. Turned around at Riga Junction, about 2 miles from the MA/CT border. Headed back quickly and made good time. Passed a trio of guys, apparently camping out overnight. Passed up a re-climb of Lions Head by using the bypass trail, shortening up the backtrack a little bit. Encountered a young couple and their dog as I got back on the access trail. Otherwise, very quiet and cool as I headed downhill (did hear some “dueling frogs” near the parking lot). Finished my day at 2020 after almost 7 miles - it was awesome to still have plenty of light! Quickly got in my car and repositioned closer to Pittsfield. Checked into the Knights Inn in Lenox (MA) at 2125 and read for the rest of the evening (bed late). Hoping I can fill in some more AT gaps over the next two days. Glad to be back in the Berkshires! AT Today = 2.60 miles / Grand Total AT = 1401.92 miles