Virtual AT: Massachusetts State Line to Mount Wilcox North Shelter

"Beans...back on the Virtual Trail saying: Happy Monday!"

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

And it appears we are in for a day filled with waterfalls!

How wonderful!

 The View from Race Mountain

 Fall is upon us...with the sound of crunching underfoot, the smell of already fallen leaves everywhere, and bright colors.

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 first thing you notice up here is all the pine...and the chilly air smells just like Christmas!

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

Well...damn.
 Maybe not.

Let me see if I can find a video before its removal...

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 Glen Brook Shelter

To Elbow Trail

 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.

And sometimes build stairs, boardwalks and bog bridges.

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

A bit wilder here in Massachusetts through the gorge.

 Up East Mountain

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

Pond Loop Trail

Cute Note Drop Box at Benedict Pond

Benedict Pond

 Map of Pond and The Ledges

Snuggles and Friend Sectioned Thru-Hike of Massachusetts (opposite direction)

https://youtu.be/WtxYKo2ileQ

(...where we learn that porcupines also move off the trail at their own speed...)

" None SHALL Pass!"



Past the South Wilcox Shelter

And down to the North Wilcox Shelter where we will be off the trail and staying for the night.

Going to get a fire started because it is going to be a chilly chilly night!

See you up the trail!

Love,

"Beans"