My true endpoint, CT 341, outside of Kent.
The first stint took me a mere 8 miles before I smartly got off trail due to an impending snowstorm. I hiked south from route 20 outside of Lee, MA to Main Road in Tyringham, MA.
The second stint was a 4 day hike with my husband. We continued where I left off, hiking south from Main Road in Tyringham to route 41 in Salisbury, CT. It was cold at night but unseasonably warm during the days. That sun sure went down early though, which made for some short hiking days!
The third bit was made up by 3 day hikes and involved some car shuffling, shuttle rides and overnights in Salisbury at Maria McCabe’s (amazing trail angel) and at a motel in Cornwall Bridge. One day I hiked north, and the other two I hiked south.
Enjoy!
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- On the trail again! US 20 outside of Lee, MA. (Where “Whim” came on the trail with me back in July)
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- Fall foliage and a nice bridge
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- Bridge over I-90 (Mass Pike)
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- Looking back into the trail register for my peeps!
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- In the summer, the caretakers at Upper Goose Pond make pancakes every morning for the hikers. Damn, I was a few months late!
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- The only other footprints I saw out there in October
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- Knee-Deep Pond, next to where I camped
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- Snow and leaves
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- Fall colors with some early snow
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- One of many stone walls in the northeast along the trail
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- Main Rd, in Tyringham, where I had to leave the trail due to the impending snowstorm
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- Farm along Main Rd, Tyringham
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- View from the bus ride back to NYC from the Berkshires. So glad I got off-trail!
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- Results from just the beginning of the 18 inches of snow
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- Greg “Painted Turtle” Peters, our super helpful shuttle driver both on T-giving and for my day hikes. Thanks again!
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- At the trailhead — shouldering my old external frame pack. What a trooper!
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- Me, excited to have Doni as company on this stretch of trail! Taking off from Tyringham.
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- Big uphill on day 1 made the backpacks feel super heavy
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- Short days when you hike in November! We camped just south of here at Mt Wilcox south shelter.
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- Cool and crisp water. Mmmm!
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- One of many maps in MA. Helpful!
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- The Doyle’s reputation is unparalled even 4 states away.
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- History along the AT
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- Road crossing south of June Mt, MA
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- Flat stretch along farmland
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- New England farmland
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- Flat stretch along one of the many Housatonic River crossings
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- We camped near here at the end of day 2.
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- First sun on day 3. Lovely, albeit cold.
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- Doni ready to get movin’ and warm up!
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- Frost on day 3.
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- More frost
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- Cold, crisp water
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- Those beavers work hard!
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- Critter prints in the morning. Racoon perhaps?
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- Crossing MA 41
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- Rocks on Mt Race
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- Nice ridgeline along Mt Race, MA
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- We were leaving Mass, but the sign was nice.
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- Almost home for the night! Last uphill for day #3.
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- Tent platforms at Sages Ravine Campsite. Very nicely maintained!
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- Doni crossing Sages Ravine. The bridge was out but we managed to keep dry!
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- Bear Mt, CT. Not the highest point in CT, despite this sign.
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- Me on Bear Mountain rock tower, CT
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- View from Lion’s Head in CT
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- Happy to be back at the car after a cold 4 days! Thanks Doni!
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- Passed this Hydro Plant early on day hike #1. Long Time used their shower when he passed by in July!
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- Iron Mountain Bridge, Falls Village, CT
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- Falls in Falls Village, CT
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- Falls Village, CT
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- Rands View
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- More from Rands View
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- “Giant’s Thumb” is appropriately named I think.
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- Nearing the end of day hike #1
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- Just outside Salisbury
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- Maria McCabe of Salisbury. Happy to have met her and spent time in her home in the off-season!
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- Hiking with a car is logistically more difficult than thru-hiking. But much warmer at night!
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- Unnecessary but entertaining signage.
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- Pretty CT valley
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- Excellent trail maintainence, CT. Thanks!
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- End of day hike #2
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- AT along the Housatonic river – probably the easiest 5 miles on the trail! Great place for the last day.
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- Darren, one of our biggest blog fans, joined the hike for the last 11 miles
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- View from St. Johns Ledges
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- The end is near! (Albeit a bit anti-climactic after Katahdin)
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- My true endpoint, CT 341, outside of Kent.
You got some really great photos in October and then again before you finished. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. Congratulations on finishing it up!
Mel,
I’m so pleased that you got to finish this HUGE quest before the end of 2011. Congratulations on a job well done. You should be VERY PROUD of your accomplishment. Good Luck with your future for you and Doni.
Glad I could help and glad you finished. I really like some of your pictures. In fact so much I am going to steal the ideas for when I take pictures. Light and composition is where it is at.
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