High Tech's '10 Chunk Hike

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1498.5	U.S. 44 (700')Salisbury, Conn. 06088 Lakeville, Conn.	700
1499.2	Conn. 41, Undermountain Road (720') Salisbury, Conn. 06088	720
1501.9	Lions Head (1,738')	1738
1502.6	Riga Shelter (1,610')?8mS; 1.2mN	1610
1503.2	Ball Brook Group Campsite (1,650')	1650
1503.8	Brassie Brook (south branch) (1,705') Brassie Brook Shelter?1.2mS; 8.8mN	1705
1504.3	Undermountain Trail, Riga Junction (1,820')	1820
1504.5	Bear Mountain Road (1,920')	1920
1505.2	Bear Mountain (2,316')?rock observation tower	2316
1505.9	Connecticut?Massachusetts State Line (1,800')	1800
1506	Sages Ravine Brook Campsite (1,360')	1360

Hemlocks Lean-to
Day: 41-2010
Daily Mileage: 6.0
Mileage: 1503.5

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1506	Sages Ravine Brook Campsite (1,360')	1360
1506.6	Sages Ravine (1,340')	1340
1507.9	Laurel Ridge Campsite (1,750')	1750
1509.7	Race Mountain (2,365')?open ledges	2365
1510.8	Race Brook Falls Trail (1,950')	1950
1511.5	Mt. Everett (2,602')	2602
1512.2	Guilder Pond Picnic Area (2,050')	2050
1512.6	The Hemlocks Shelter (1,880') ?8.8mS; 0.1mN	1880

07/23/10 6:15 pm

Well what a difference a day makes. It was wet, rainy and cold all day. The wet rocks made me fall two times (no damage though). I was glad that the shelter was only 6 miles. Did have some nice views. Got to this shelter and within a few minutes the inn was full (luckily there is another shelter 500ft away). Been here since early afternoon. Did everything I had to do and now going a little stir crazy. Hope tomorrow is better weather, the next shelter is 15 miles away.

PS sunburn was no too bad, and the rain probably helped.

Comfort Inn - Great Barrington
Day: 42-2010
Daily Mileage: 8.0
Mileage: 1511.5

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1512.7	Glen Brook Shelter (1,885')?0.1mS; 14.3mN	1885
1513.3	Elbow Trail (1,750')	1750
1515	Jug End (1,750')	1750
1516.1	Jug End Road (Curtiss Road) (890')	890
1517	Mass. 41; Undermountain Road (810') ATC Kellogg Conservation CenterSouth Egremont, Mass. 01258	810
1518.8	Sheffield?Egremont Road (700')Shay's Rebellion Monument	700
1520.6	U.S. 7 (700') Sheffield, Mass. 01257 Great Barrington, Mass. 01230	700

07/24/10 6:30 pm
My Location: N 42°12'28.83", W 73°20'53.17"
204 m
map it

Well it rained most of the night, but the temperature did not drop and the wind stayed down, so sleeping in the dry shelter was ok. No mice either.

Woke up early, with 10 people in the shelter it is hard to sleep in. No rain, but foggy and wet. Slipped 3 times. The one time on Jug End I fell really hard on my butt and tried to catch myself and bashed my wrist petty good (a good bruise and cuts and scrapes) but I lived. Hit the flat and flew down the trail to US7. I really wanted a cheeseburger, but no luck. Both Tank and I really did not want to hike (uphill) in the rain again, and it was starting so we decided to get a hotel in town (even though it was very expensive, even when split). But between the jacuzzi, real food and A/C it is worth it (and yes it did pour for a few minutes, but then cleared up). But after yesterday, and the falls, I needed the moral boost.

Now clean, full and relaxed. Going for another soak in the jacuzzi then probably to bed.

After hike note:
Yes, that is me trying to dry my socks with a hairdryer!

East Mountain Retreat Center
Day: 43-2010
Daily Mileage: 8.4+
Mileage: 1519.9

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1521.5	Kellogg Road, Housatonic River Bridge (720')	720
1523.5	Home Road (1,150')	1150
1524.9	East Mountain (1,800')	1800
1527	Ice Gulch (1,540') Tom Leonard Shelter?14.3mS; 5.3mN	1540
1528.1	Lake Buel Road (1,150')	1150
1529	Mass. 23 (1,050') Monterey, Mass. 01245 Great Barrington, Mass. 01230	1050

07/25/10 8:15 pm
My Location: N 42°10'44.00", W 73°18'37.16"
231 m
map it

Woke up to the unpleasant news that Tank was pulling off the trail. He has an infected toe. So I lost my 2nd hiking partner for this trip. As for me, well the hike goes on. Got up, packed and got the pre-arranged taxi back to the trail. Hiking was much better, didn't fall once since the trail dried up. A pretty good climb out of town after crossing the Housatonic again, then mostly level to the Tom Leonard Shelter. Got water there, which difinitely reminded me of PA...down, down and down some more. Took a long break and ate lunch. Radar showed rain heading towards me so decided to stop at the Eastern Mountain Retreat, even though it is 1.5 miles off the trail. Interesting place, an interfaith, silent retreat/meditation center. Got a roof, shower, clean clothes for $13, much better than yesterday, that is for sure. Met up with Bulldog once again as well, he was at the center when I arrived.

Mnt Wilcox North Lean-to
Day: 44-2010
Daily Mileage: 5.1+ so far today
Mileage: 1525.0

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1529	Mass. 23 (1,050') Monterey, Mass. 01245 Great Barrington, Mass. 01230	1050
1530.2	Blue Hill Road (Stony Brook Road) (1,550')	1550
1531	Benedict Pond (1,620')	1620
1531.6	The Ledges (1,820')	1820
1532.3	Mt. Wilcox South Shelter (1,720') ?5.3mS; 2.1mN	1720
1534.1	Mt. Wilcox North Shelter (2,100') ?2.1mS; 14.8mN	2100

07/26/10 12:55 pm

Wow, what perfect weather so far today. High in the upper 70's, cool breeze and sunny. Perfect for hiking. Stopped in at the TWO Mnt Wilcox South Lean-tos for a break after seeing Benedict Pond. Ate a snack and moved on. Saw two beaver ponds on the way here, but no beaver...wrong time of day I guess. Got here and ate dinner and got filled up on water since Shaker Campsite might be dry. Going to take a nap, then move on to shorten the hike tomorrow to Upper Goose Pond Cabin, so I get there early.

Shaker Campsite
Day: 44-2010
Daily Mileage: 9.2+
Mileage: 1529.1

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1534.7	Beartown Mountain Road (1,800')	1800
1537.9	Fernside Road (1,200')	1200
1538.2	Shaker Campsite (1,000')	1000

07/26/10 5:45 pm
My Location: N 42°15'06.24", W 73°13'28.89"
253 m
map it

Well for once my plan was executed without a hitch. Took a nap and woke up around 2:30pm and packed up and hiked here. Fairly easy hiking (although the down hill was a little steep at times. One section hiker here so far, just on her 2nd day of 20. Weather still prefect!

A few notes:

seeing a lot more south bounders now

cell phone / 3G coverage seems to be getting more sporatic

my spork died

Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Day: 45-2010
Daily Mileage: 9.9+
Mileage: 1539.0

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1540	Jerusalem Road (930')?spring Tyringham, Mass. 01264	930
1541.1	Tyringham Main Road (930')	930
1543	Webster Road (1,800')	1800
1545.4	Goose Pond Road (1,650')	1650
1547.3	Upper Goose Pond (1,500')	1500
1547.8	Old Chimney and Plaque (1,520')	1520
1548.1	Upper Goose Pond Cabin (1,480') ?14.8mS; 9.3mN	1480

07/27/10 7:20 pm

It was a little cool last night, but did get some sleep. Got up and packed up, just at the same time Hashbrown (the female section hiker) did so we started to hike together. She was wearing an Ohio State shirt so we started talking and I asked where she was from, and she said "you probably never heard of it, I'm from Coshocton." What are the chance of meeting someone from the same little town I lived in on the AT. From what she described it hasn't changed much....just one of those "small world" moments. (note: picture of Hashbrown was taken days later in Bennington, VT, but it just made sense to put it here.)

Hiking was fairly easy, except for some swampy sections. Weather was perfect! The first part was steep and uphill, but after that it just turned into small up and downs. Then came out to Upper Goose Pond, but it was still some time before I hit the blue blaze to the cabin. What a great place! Right on the pond and wonderful accommodations! Now here with 10 hikers and having a great time hearing stories.

October Mountain Lean-to
Day: 46-2010
Daily Mileage: 8.8
Mileage: 1547.8

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1549.3	I-90 Mass. Turnpike (1,400')?pedestrian bridge	1400
1549.4	Greenwater Brook (1,400')	1400
1549.7	U.S. 20 (1,400')Lee, Mass. 01238	1400
1550.5	Tyne Road (1,750')	1750
1551	Becket Mountain (2,180')	2180
1552.8	Finerty Pond (1,900')	1900
1555.1	County Road (1,850')	1850
1555.3	Bald Top (2,040')	2040
1556.9	October Mountain Shelter (1,950') ?9.3mS; 9mN	1950

07/28/10 8:30 pm

First some stuff from last night: one of the hikers was given a frozen steak as trail magic. He cooked it up and it was huge. He shared it with a number of hikers and I was included.

The blueberry pancakes were no trail legend, they were great!

Trail had two big up hills today, but other than that, it was generally flat with muddy patches. We walked by a few ponds and beaver dams as well. Weather was a little hotter than the past few days, so it was a little harder hiking. Got here around 4:30 or so, with Hashbrown shortly thereafter. Water source not the greatest, but it will have to do. Pitched my tent in the shelter, due to the mosquitoes and the threat of thunderstorms tonight, but supposed to be cool tomorrow.

Dalton, Mass (Tom's Place)
Day: 47-2010
Daily Mileage: 11.8
Mileage: 1559.6

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1556.9	October Mountain Shelter (1,950') ?9.3mS; 9mN	1950
1557.6	West Branch Road (1,960')	1960
1559.1	Washington Mountain Road, Pittsfield Road (2,000') Becket, Mass. 01223	2000
1561.1	Stream (1,950')	1950
1562.3	Blotz Road (1,850')	1850
1563	Warner Hill (2,050')	2050
1565.7	Kay Wood Shelter (1,860')?9mS; 17.3mN	1860
1566	Grange Hall Road (1,650')	1650
1568.1	CSX Railroad crossing (1,250')	1250
1568.2	Depot St.(1,240')...water at 83 Depot St.	1240
1568.7	Mass. 8, Mass. 9 (1,200')Dalton, Mass. 01226	1200

07/29/10 8:45 pm

Today I was just a hiking machine. Got moving late because of morning rain, but after that I only took 3 breaks: Cookie Lady's, The vista you could see Greylock from and the Kay Wood Shelter. Now at Tom's Place. He made a great Italian dinner for everyone. Now drinking beer on the porch with the other hikers trading stories and listening to Andy (has about a million trail names) playing guitar, the perfect background music for the evening. Good times!

Cheshire, MA (Mason Hill Hostel)
Day: 48-2010
Daily Mileage: 9.3
Mileage: 1568.9

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
1569.7	Gulf Road (1,180')	1180
1573.4	Crystal Mountain Campsite (2,100')	2100
1573.8	Gore Pond (2,050')	2050
1576.3	The Cobbles (1,850')?views	1850
1577.1	Furnace Hill Road (960')	960
1577.6	Church St., Hoosic River, Ashuwillticook Rail Trail (950')	950
1577.7	Church St., School St., Hiker Kiosk (970') Cheshire, Mass. 01225	970

07/30/10 3:05 pm
My Location: N 42°33'49.02", W 73°10'20.50"
355 m
map it
First, weighed myself last night....194 lbs! Haven't been below 200 since my '02 hike! Lets hope I can keep it off this time.

Got to bed late (by hiker standards). Good beer and good times, not to mention electric lights, kept us up.

Got up normal time and we all went to the local dinner for breakfast. I was offered the chance to slackpack from North Adams back, but I needed to get here and get my maildrop and the slack would have complicated that.

Took me forever to pack and leave. Probably procrastinated for more than an hour. Think I left Tom's around 9 or 9:30. Hike was as expected, up, up, up.....down, down. One good view of the valley and Cheshire, but that was it. Trail was fairly good and I was still walking a fast pace. Got to Cheshire at 1:30. Waited for the post office to open and got my maildrop. Then hiked to the Mason Hill Hostel. Nice place! So far the only one here, although I was told a SOBO'er made reservations. Now just catching up on my journal and planning out my last 12 days. Can't believe it is almost over.

'10 Hike Map