We have made it across 10 states since our start in June with only 4 more to go!
90 miles across Massachusetts...and we will attempt to finish them in 3 days this week.
(in realtime this would take 8-12 days)
We are now 1,503 miles in on the Appalachian Trail.
It is currently 66 degrees here- and the White Blaze Weather App shows the low 50's in Maine.
Suddenly grateful for the outfitter and warmer food and drink.
Starting the morning with a mixture of cocoa and hot chocolate!
And after some hot oats with cinnamon and brown sugar and a handful of pecans...we're off...
Overcast now but it appears to be breaking up.
Leaving the Sage Ravine Brook Campgrounds
Past Sage Ravine and the Upper Falls
Up Race Mountain past Race Brook Falls
How wonderful!
The View from Race Mountain
In the back of our mind...the machete attack of a group of hikers back on May 13th of this year. One woman survived by playing dead and another was killed. The attacker was from this area.
He was quickly apprehended.
(...suddenly virtual hiking displays its charm...right)
Upward again...this time Mount Everett
The crunch of the leaves giving way to the soft shush of pine needles.
And signage for the Mount Everett Fire Tower.
Let's go see!
The View from Mount Everett
Maybe not.
Nope sorry...that is it.
Hiking on to the Guilder Pond Picnic Area
Which is absolutely beautiful and the sun has broken through...warmer...going to just sit here in the leaves...munch an Apple Cinnamon Nutragrain Bar and enjoy the scenery and quiet.
Video of Guilder's Pond from earlier in the hiking season.
https://youtu.be/Pvxt9j4nuZ0
Thinking what a great fishing spot this would be.
But we have miles to go today...and no gear.
Past Hemlocks Shelter
and Jug End
Hike from Sages Ravine to Jug End with 3 perpetually lost guys...
https://youtu.be/9unc6VrMCIs
(...and their poor dog is wondering what he has done to deserve this...)
View from Jug End
I love the shadows from the clouds on the land below.
At MASS-41 we find the ATC Kellogg Conservation Center
and some of the volunteers who keep the trail areas maintained.
The kids who offer to help are known as "Greenagers" and wear it as a badge of pride! The older volunteers are "Ridge Runners".
We will pass the Shays Rebellion Monument
Shays Rebellion summarized
A group of protestors, led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays, began a 6 month rebellion by taking over the Court of Common Pleas in Northampton; the goal was to prevent the trial and imprisonment of debt-ridden citizens. James Bowdoin, the governor of Massachusetts, was clearly in the latter group.
Yes...it was a mutiny of sorts.
We will once again cross the Housatonic River
East Mountain View of Snake Pond
Snake Pond
(okay...technically it is off the trail quite a bit...but how can we NOT go see Snake Pond...)
And one of its residents, apparently...
Hiking past Tom Leonard Shelter
and by Benedict Pond
Cute Note Drop Box at Benedict Pond
Benedict Pond
Map of Pond and The Ledges
https://youtu.be/WtxYKo2ileQ
(...where we learn that porcupines also move off the trail at their own speed...)
Past the South Wilcox Shelter
See you up the trail!
Love,
"Beans"
