Great Barrington, MA (USA)

The temps fell into the 40s last night! Fortunately, I stayed warm in Great Barrington (just a few miles from the trailhead) and was able to get an early start. I parked in a nice lot off MA-23 on the Monterey town line and headed SOBO at 0715. It was brisk (temps were in the mid 50s by then) and a little overcast. I started with a plan to hike about 5.5 miles into the woods and then backtrack. As I climbed, I encountered an increasing number of rocks, with lots of ravines that required careful steps to navigate. I actually came across some climbing gear (unattended) and heard some voices in the trees on the other side of a huge chasm - I guess some climbers had used ropes to find a remote campsite... I could hear sounds from farms and roads on both sides of the ridge. I also crossed a few roads on my way towards the summit of East Mountain. Slowly, a thought crept into my head - I might be able to get all the way to US-7 and then hike back on roads. I really didn’t decide that, though, until I’d reached a point where the number of rocks behind me on the outbound leg exceeded my patience... I got some nice views of the ridge I’d hiked on the day before - Mount Everett and Mount Race loomed high above the small towns in the valley. The section then started downhill and didn’t really stop descending until I got to Boardman Street in Sheffield. I passed a mom and daughter - the first people I’d seen all day - on their morning climb. From there, I walked along corn stalks and passed trees that looked very old. I passed some hikers (two backpacking couples) but that was it - what a difference from yesterday! The trail then followed Kellogg Road in order to cross the Housatonic. The last mile was a meandering walk between fields and fences. Suddenly (1100) I found myself standing on the pavement of US-7 (after almost 8 miles) and had to plan my backtrack. My first instinct was to raise my thumb - the first car that passed didn’t stop but a lady coming out of her neighborhood saw me and gave me a ride through Great Barrington and back to my car. She told me that she meets lots of hikers this way and loves to hear their stories. Thanks to this Trail Angel’s generosity, I was back at my car at 1130! The day ended with a lucky break - but after all the retreading and extra (side trail) walking to get AT miles I’ve done lately, I’ll take it! Just had to make the long drive home to finish a great hiking...  Got gas at Cumberland Farms in Great Barrington (1215) and then backtracked from the previous day, starting with MA/NY-23 and the Taconic Parkway.  I actually sat the hotel owner (Jignesh) on the road (he waved at me).  Continued via I-84, and I-81 until I encountered a traffic jam to the west of Harrisburg.  Decided to drive across the Susquehanna River on the Interstate and then got on PA-581.  Suddenly (just when I reached US-15), the clutch in the Explorer went to the floor and I couldn't change gears.  I managed to make it about five miles to Dillsburg and pulled into the Rutters parking lot (1700).  After this point, I was unable to engage the gears and had to call for a tow truck.  Fortunately, my insurance coverage was good enough that they told me they could get the car to Alexandria (!!!).  While waiting for the tow truck, I ate dinner at Arbys (1725).  At about 1900, the wrecker arrived at my location and picked up Nellie.  The driver was very nice and we had some good conversations.  As we headed south on US-15, we had to detour a lot because of a huge accident that closed both sides of the road.  After that, it was mostly smooth sailing all the way back to Alexandria.  The tow truck driver dropped off my car in Kingstowne and then I was able to walk back to my apartment (2200).  It was a relief to be home but I was very sad to have had such a difficult return trip.  Was also worried that my car, which is over 21 years old and has over 260K miles, would never be able to take me to a hiking zone again...  Cleaned up and went to bed after a good hiking weekend.  AT Today = 7.80 miles / G.T. AT = 1452.06 miles