Tag: Connecticut

  • Day 20 – Race Brook Falls MA to Salisbury CT

    Day 20 – Race Brook Falls MA to Salisbury CT

    Sunday, August 31, 2025. Cool, clear, no breeze.

    We are hiking a short section of trail that I missed last year. This will 100% complete my journey of the Appalachian Trail. I tried to hike this once last October just after summiting Katahdin and again early this April before my 1 year anniversary of my start date, but the weather got in my way both times. Third time is a charm!

    Up at 6:40. Quick breakfast at hotel then off to the trailhead. On trail at 8:00.

    Summited Mount Race.

    Ed and Chuck on Mount Race, MA

    YouTube video from Mount Race. 

    Reached the Connecticut border and water refill at 11:90 and 5.8 miles in.

    Moving into Connecticut
    Waterfall near the MA/CT border

    Reached the state line at 12:46 and 6.73 in.

    CT-MA state line

    Bear mountain CT summit at 12:10. Looking back at Race Mountain.

    Bear mountain CT summit looking back at Race Mountain

    Finished at 2:50. This is a bit emotional as this is my final white blaze to 100% complete the Appalachian Trail. 

    My final Appalachian Trail Blaze

    Got to White Hart Inn at 3:00. Jon Luning picked us up and drove us back to our car. We will be having dinner with Jon and Pam this evening in Pawling, NY.

    Got up Sunday morning and drove back to Ed’s house in PA. Picked up my truck and drove back to Poolesville, MD. 

    Lost 7 lbs per the scale but I know I put on a lot of leg muscle. Overall, not bad weight loss.

    And that’s it for this trip. Stay tuned for 3 more hikes before December this year.

    Technical Notes:

    • Breakfast 800
    • Coffee 50
    • Fatty beef stick 300
    • Zero sugar sausage 120
    • Town food … 
    • Water liters 1.5
    • Miles 13.94
    • Time 6:58
    • Up 3314
    • Down 3383
    • Calories consumed lots
    • Calories burned 2725
  • Day 123 – Great Falls, CT to Great Barrington, MA

    Day 123 – Great Falls, CT to Great Barrington, MA

    Today’s Miles: 8

    Trip Miles: 1515.7

    “We were holding hands as we reached the California coast.

    A new wind in our sails, we’re making the most.

    So the story goes, all’s well that ends well.

    And if you don’t mind, I’ll keep the rest to myself.

    I was thumbing my way outta San Antonio.” – Tracy Byrd

    Up at 6:30. Dense fog, so I went back to sleep until 8:00. Packed up and hit the road at 9:00. 

    Very hazy and humid today. View from Mount Prospect.

    View from Mount Prospect
    View from Mount Prospect

    Stopped at Giants Thumb. Great big thumb-shaped rock. 

    Giants Thumb.

    After a lot of debate, I decided to only hike to Salisbury, CT at mile 8 for today. I have to be at the post office in Great Barrington before they close. Once I head out of Salisbury, there is no road near the trail until mile 19.6, which won’t let me make the post office. I had thought about going another 7 miles on the AT and then hiking what looks like an abandoned woods road out to Route 41 for a shuttle pickup. However, that would put me real close to missing the post office, and there is no info on what shape that “woods road” is actually in or if it still exists.:(

    I’m skipping ahead 20 miles to Great Barrington, MA. The town is 3 miles north of the AT. I’ll hitch back to the trail tomorrow or something similar. I need to make up time/mileage, and this looks like a reasonable opportunity for that. I plan to come back here the last week in October with Dana and day hike this missed stretch of trail. It’ll be under 10 hours with a day pack. 

    Stopped at the White Hart Inn, Salisbury, CT. Very nice little place. I plan to stay here with Dana in late October when I make up a missed section on the AT.

    Got picked up by a shuttle at 2:00 and drove to the Great Barrington, MA post office, then to the Quality Inn. Got new shoes and a new phone pouch as well as my rain jacket and hiking pants and extra socks back. Also, a few resupply items. I’m pretty good on supplies as is. 

    New shoes in Great Barrington, MA

    Showered and did laundry. Did major route planning for the next 11 days. Trying to get back into bigger but reasonable days. I’m trying to get my head back in the game! I need to really dig in if I’m going to finish this adventure before the snow closes the northern terminus. 

    I just have not been loving life on the trail since NJ. Go figure NJ and NY weren’t my favorites. Too many people, too many towns, too many distractions. That’s my guess anyway. I’m hoping getting back into the sticks and into New England will help. My new route plan tries to balance aggressive miles with a dose of reality. Plus new shoes will really help 🙂

    Day 123 Map – Great Falls, CT to Great Barrington, MA

    Technical Notes:

    • Pop Tarts 370
    • Oreos 320
    • Large Latte 230
    • Ham and Cheese 500
    • Large Latte 230
    • Coke 140
    • Reese’s 400
    • Dinner 2000
    • Water liters 1.7
    • Miles 8 
    • Time 3:30
    • Elevation gain 1300
    • Calories consumed 5000
    • Calories burned 3500
  • Day 122 – Cornwall Bridge, CT to Great Falls, CT

    Day 122 – Cornwall Bridge, CT to Great Falls, CT

    Today’s Miles: 15

    Trip Miles: 1507.7

    “Oh rapid Roy that stock car boy

    He too much to believe

    You know he always got an extra pack of cigarettes

    Rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve

    He got a tattoo on his arm that says baby

    He got another one that just says hey

    And Sunday afternoon he is a dirt track demon

    In a ’57 Chevrolet” – Jim Croce

    Up at 7:30. Took my time getting moving. Packed up, checked out, and walked down the road to the market for a muffin and coffee.

    80 degrees, sunny, low humidity. Awesome weather.

    Texted Jenny near Great Falls and booked a bed in her outbuilding for tonight. $20. I should be there about 6:00.

    Squeezed through Roger’s Ramp. It’s not as small as the lemon squeeze, but it’s tight. 

    Roger’s Ramp

    Hiked around Lime Rock Race track much of the afternoon. Even though it’s a weekday, there are multiple cars on the track. I could hear them for over 3 hours of hiking.

    Stopped for a snack at Belters Bump at 3:30 and 11.1 miles for the day. Nothing to see just a small clearing with some big sitting rocks.

    Stopped at the package store in Falls Village. The owner was very nice and knew all about Jenny’s where I’m staying tonight. We chatted for a while. 

    Caboose in Falls Village, CT

    Walked past Great Falls. Pretty impressive. Also passed the 1500-mile mark.

    Great Falls, CT
    Great Falls, CT
    1500 Mile Marker
    1500 Mile Marker

    YouTube video of Great Falls

    I got to Jenny’s at 6:00. Her husband gave me the tour. Her cottage is amazing. She has a very nice homemade outdoor shower as well. Check the video below. 

    Jenny’s Cabin
    Jenny’s Cabin

    YouTube video of Jenny’s cottage

    Made dinner and relaxed at the cottage. Worked on my plans for tomorrow. I’ll go between 15 and 19 miles depending on how I feel. I want the shuttle to get me into Great Barrington before the post office closes at 4:30. I’ll likely have to hike about an hour off-trail on an unused woods road to get to where the shuttle can pick me up. I have two of those planned out.

    Day 122 Map – Cornwall Bridge, CT to Great Falls, CT

    Technical Notes:

    • Mini donuts 410
    • Chocolate chip muffin 450
    • Large latte 230
    • Zero-sugar sausage 240
    • Skittles 150
    • Doritos 450
    • Ramen 370
    • Dehydrated chicken 170
    • Seltzer 400
    • Fireball 400
    • Water liters 2.7
    • Miles 15 + 1.5
    • Time 8:30
    • Elevation gain 2504
    • Calories consumed 3500
    • Calories burned 6500
  • Day 121 – Kent, CT to Cornwall Bridge, CT

    Day 121 – Kent, CT to Cornwall Bridge, CT

    Today’s Miles: 24

    Trip Miles: 1492.7

    “Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel,

    Like I’ve been tied to the whippin’ post.

    Tied to the whippin’ post, tied to the whippin’ post.

    Good Lord, I feel like I’m dyin’.” – Allman Brothers 

    Up at 7:30. Lazy morning. Ate breakfast and started walking to the trail at 9:45. I arranged a shuttle for Wednesday late afternoon to take me from the trail into Great Barrington, MA and made motel reservations. Not sure exactly where I will be for pickup, but gave the driver a range. They were cool with that.

    Sunny, 75 degrees, low humidity. Nice day.

    Talked to a SOBO who also stayed at the same inn. She started June 2. The mountain did not open until June 1, hence all the early June people I have been passing.

    Stopped at an amazing little store in Kent for coffee and a chocolate croissant. 45 On Main. A bunch of other hikers that I have been around for the past two days are also here. They camped just outside town at Mount Algo shelter last night. 

    45 On Main in Kent, CT

    Very pleasant walk along the Housatonic River. Weather is amazing. Keep humming Country Roads, but then I remember I’m in Connecticut….just not quite the right mental place for that song.

    Country road walk in CT

    Stopped for a break and to research places to stay this evening at the Hiker Parking spot. Could not pass up the chairs. Back on trail at noon.

    Hiker Parking
    Lots of stream crossings

    Road walked into Cornwall Bridge and crossed the River.

    Road walk into Cornwall Bridge, CT
    Road walk into Cornwall Bridge, CT
    Road walk into Cornwall Bridge, CT

    Got to The Hitching Post motel in Cornwall Bridge, CT at 3:30. Just not feeling like camping out, and my feet hurt. Hence the early stop today. Can’t wait to get new shoes and insoles in two days in Great Barrington, MA. I’m also enjoying platinum blazing for a little while!

    The Hitching Post motel in Cornwall Bridge, CT
    The Hitching Post motel in Cornwall Bridge, CT
    Day 121 Map – Kent, CT to Cornwall Bridge, CT

    Technical Notes:

    • Mini donuts 410
    • Apple juice 160
    • Large Latte 230
    • Chocolate Croissant 250
    • Slim Jim 260
    • Diet Dr Pepper 0
    • San Smith porter 186
    • Cider 180
    • Peak refuel sweet pork 800
    • Fritos 220
    • Other 2000
    • Water liters 1.7
    • Miles 11.8
    • Time 5:30
    • Elevation gain 2504
    • Calories consumed 5000
    • Calories burned 4750
  • Day 120 – Telephone Pioneers Shelter to Bulls Bridge, CT

    Day 120 – Telephone Pioneers Shelter to Bulls Bridge, CT

    Today’s Miles: 14.1

    Trip Miles: 1468.7

    “Slip slidin’ away

    Slip slidin’ away

    You know the nearer your destination

    The more you’re slip slidin’ away” – Paul Simon

    Up at 6:20. Lovely sunrise. On trail at 7:20. Have 13.9 miles to the country store for lunch about 2:00.

    Sunny, low 80s. Humid. Looks like a nice day.

    These plank walkways are super slippery and hard to walk on. You have to cross them using a skating motion which is very tiresome.

    Slippery board walk near PAwling NY

    Crossed through a large wetland just north of Pawling, NY. Nice raised boardwalks.

    Boardwalk near Pawling NY
    Boardwalk near Pawling NY

    Train station to New York at 8:45. Stopped for a quick snack. There is a deli half a mile away, but I don’t want to burn the time as I have a long way to go today.

    The train station on the AT in NY

    Over a ladder and across a large meadow with a big old water tower in the background.

    Startimg a muddy field walk in NY

    Snack break 10:15 to 10:35.

    Reached Wiley Shelter at noon. Somebody left/donated a set of crutches.

    Wiley Shelter

    I missed the AT detour due to a washed-out bridge. Crossing where the bridge used to be wasn’t bad so I skipped the detour.

    Bridge washed out…rope crossing now

    Welcome to Connecticut at 2:30. Nice water cache here as well!

    Welcome to Connecticut

    Crossed the Ten Mile River on a footbridge at 2:50. This is where the Ten Mile joins the Housatonic River. The river is running high from the hurricane. The last 2 miles were steep and rocky. My body is feeling it today. Particularly my feet.

    Crossing the Housatonic River

    YouTube video of the Housatonic

    Crossed the 2/3 mark late today near here.

    AT mileage sign in CT

    Cool covered bridge walking into Bulls Bridge, CT.

    Crossing through Bulls Bridge, CT

    Had a nice talk with an older couple by the covered bridge. The woman thought I was insane!

    Stopped at the Bulls Bridge Country Store for a soda and ice cream at 3:45.

    Bulls Bridge Country Store

    I’m feeling lazy and my feet hurt this afternoon. Cutting the day 4 miles short. Ubered up to the Fife & Drum Inn in Kent, CT for the evening. Looking forward to a NICE meal and some good bourbon. 

    Checked in at 5:00. Nice place. Showered and walked to the Fife & Drum restaurant for a good steak and a few drinks. Had a nice chat with Dana and went to bed by 10:00.

    Technical Notes:

    • Mini donuts 410
    • Oreos 160
    • Peanut butter crackers 200
    • Fig bar 200
    • Trail mix 170
    • Cheese crackers 250
    • Skittles 100
    • Ice cream 200
    • Ginger Ale 10
    • Twix 250
    • Seltzer 100
    • Fritos 300
    • Bourbon 500
    • Steak 800
    • Mashed potatoes 500
    • Bread 200
    • vodka cran 300
    • vodka cran 300
    • Cheese cake 500
    • Water liters 3
    • Miles 14.1 (20.6)
    • Time 8
    • Elevation gain 
    • Calories consumed 6500
    • Calories burned 6500