Tuesday (6/23) the rain stopped around 8 am. I put all my gear back in my backpack and prepared to leave the motel and walk back to the trail, which was just under a mile uphill. When I came out of my room a lady asked me where I was hiking to. I told her I was going to the trail head up the road. She offered me a ride and of course I said yes. There was another hiker preparing to leave just as I was and I asked her if she would take him also. She said yes and off to the trail we went. It was very kind of Miriam to help us out.
I hiked about 9 miles to Sharon Mountain campsite. Everything was wet and slippery due to the all night rain. Mid-morning I stopped and took a break to admired a very nice view. The trail took me through a beautiful pine forest area. I walked remnants of a foundation from a home that was probably built well over a hundred years by ago. I imagined what it must have been like to live out here in the wilderness.
As I came out to a road there was trail magic, a cooler of ice cold coke, tea and water provided by the shuttle driver that I had previously used. There was a narrow gap that was difficult to get through toward the end of the day’s hike. Made it to my campsite. Check out the picture of the toilet I included. I think hiding behind a tree would be a better option.
Wednesday’s (6/24) plan was to hike about 10 miles, with a stop at Falls Village CT to have lunch at a cafe that was about a 1/4 mile from the trail. Within one mile of my hike I came to a spot with a beautiful view, I decided it was a good spot to read my Bible verses for the day. My hike included walking through a beautiful field and into a pine forest. The trail followed the Housatonic River on a nicely maintained part of the trail. I came to a section of the trail that was designated as wheel chair accessible, first time I have seen that. I thought that was a pretty cool. Just before I came out to the parking lot, a lady that I had seen two times before caught up to me. Her name was Lisa and she was getting picked up and taken to a hostel. She had completed her goal and was going home the next day. As we were talking, Doug the shuttle driver pulled up. I told him that I was going to the cafe and he offered to take me there if it was ok with Lisa. We got there and it was closed, he then offered to take me to a grocery store that had a deli. The store was close to where he was dropping Lisa off. He dropped her off and then to the grocery store we went. After I shopping, Doug brought me back to where I he picked up and did not even charge me. Thanks Doug.
After I ate lunch, I continued my way north. My hike continued along the Housatonic River, which was very beautiful. Toward the end of my day I climbed Mount Prospect, where I was treated to a spectacular view. From there it was .5 miles off the AT to get to the shelter. I set up my tent on a platform and made my dinner and called it a day.
Thursday (6/25) started with .5 mile walk out of shelter area to get back to the AT. Early in morning I came out to a field called Rand’s View, it was a beautiful spot. It was back into the woods where I came to the Giant’s Thumb, a 10 foot rock that protrudes out of the ground. From there it was up to a spot called Billy’s view. I sat there and read some Bible verses and took in the view. Climbing Bear Mountain was next on the agenda, it is the highest peak in CT. At the top is a monument that was erected in 1885. Coming down Bear Mountain was very steep with lots of rocks. I had to take my pack off once and let it slide down in front of me before I could continue down. It took me quite a while. After 11 miles I made to the campsite. I was the only one there and set my tent up on a platform. It started to rain about 11 pm and continued until about 6 am. I stayed dry in and slept pretty good.
Friday (6/26) I had a pickup point planned at about 6 miles going into the town of Salisbury CT to take two full days off to rest the ankle. The day’s hike started off following Sawmill Brook, which was raging after all the rain. The sound of the water was beautiful, but the trail was rough with lots of rocks. After about two miles I crossed into Massachusetts, five states down, nine to go. I had a tough climb up to Mt Race Ledges. Once to the top, I was rewarded with a spectacular view. Right after the ledges it was down and then up again. The hike up Mount Everett, the highest peak in the southern Taconic Mountains was a tough one. It took me forever to get up there. After getting to the summit I had a little less than 1.5 miles to get to my pickup point. I arrived a few minutes few minutes early and Doug was right on time to take me to Mary MaCabe’s Hostel for some much needed rest. Until next time Happy Trails!
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