Free Spirit’s ( Al's )

Appalachian Trail Journal

NH,VT & MASS- Part 4

Dates ........ Thursday Sept 28, 2000
Miles ........ 18.6 miles
From ........ North Adams MA motel
To ............. Crystal Mountain Campsite
Weather ... Very foggy damp AM, clearing, sunny, cool rest of day, mid 50's

Thursday Sept 28, 2000

Mt Williams (2951'), Mt Fitch (2110'), Mt. Greylock (3491'), monument and Bascom Lodge, Cheshire MA, Cheshire Cobbles and Cliffs

I was up at 5 AM, waiting at the base of Greylock Mt. for daylight at 6AM. Began my ascent at dusk. I climbed endlessly 2800 feet up over Mts Williams and Fitch, both part of Mt. Greylock. It was a very steep, rugged climb going up 1800 feet in the first 1.5 miles. I sweated profusely and my heart pounded every foot of the way in the damp, foggy morning air. It was my last big mountain on this trip. I started early so I could climb the mountain, do the elevation and make some miles, getting me closer to home. I was very anxious to get home.

On top of Mt. Williams, I lost my bearings where two trails came in next to one another, both heading more or less SW from that summit. Even my map and compass did not give me sufficient confidence to take one trail over the other. I took what turned out to be the wrong trail, realizing I'd been "here" before, but in the other direction. Black Forest, a late through hiker from Germany came along and confirmed my bearings. He did not go out onto the foggy summit but continued on the hairpin turn and therefore did not have a concern which trail was southbound. There were no indicators on the summit; just a distracting register box.

The trail ran through a huge blackberry patch near the summit and I enjoyed several handfuls of the succulent berries. I came across lots of ripe blackberries in the elevations of NH and VT. They were long gone back home (PA). Mt. Greylock was in the clouds - windy, very foggy and very cold. Visibility was 100 feet, maybe, so there were no views. I kept moving to keep from getting chilled.

Going "down" Greylock southbound was quite and experience. It seemed as though I was going uphill more than downhill near the summit. Finally, the trail got serious about going downhill and I made good time. I stopped halfway down, had my roast beef sub for lunch and took a layer of clothes off - the clouds lifted and let the sun through at last.

Cheshire was a cute little town and my final resupply. Walking down the street I found two valid credit cards. I stopped at the police station and turned them in, then collected my parcel at their friendly post office. The postal clerk filled my water bottle and assured me it would make me "fly like an eagle!" I reorganized my pack, sent back my exposed film and unneeded maps and threw out my trash.

I hit the trail which went past a cute little bike, bait and rollerblade shop - the proprietress flagged me down, literally, to ask me to spread the word to other hikers that they had coffee, cold drinks, hot dogs and a bathroom. I needed the bathroom. It was a nice break - they were friendly people just starting out in business and thought perhaps they'd open a hostel or hikers campground of sorts. The nearby church was no longer going to operate its hostel for hikers.

From there, it was up over the hill to "The Cobbles" and a fine cliff top view of Cheshire Reservoir from North Mountain ridge. It was near sunset when I reached Gore Pond and enjoyed the beauty of the water reflecting fall colors and the rocks. On the other side of the pond a hiker had set up his tent and was resting, enjoying the view and peace and quiet. I moved on to Crystal Mountain, set up my tent, ate supper, hung my food bag, and turned in. It was getting cold quickly and my sleeping bag felt real warm and nice.

Cheshire reservoir from ridge of North Mountain

 

Gore Pond and autumn colors near sunset.

 

 

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Spring/Fall hikes - 15 miles/day - Contact Al. aljohn@jmclum.com.
Last Updated 11/22/2000