July 28: today is the day of our big climb. We also hope to get some miles in, so we leave camp by 6:30. We descend into the town of Cheshire; Subaru had been hoping to visit the outfitter, but on Sunday morning, there are no signs of life save for a bicycle race on the street. Nobody but hikers and bikers!
We find a gas station open on the other end of town, close to where the trail re-enters the woods. So we stop for sodas, chocolate milk, and snacks. Subaru has his first whoopie pie ever.
Back on the trail, we begin a long gradual 3000 foot climb. Overall, the terrain is still pretty agreeable and rock free. A couple steep parts, but overall gradual. About 30 minutes before we summit, it starts raining. About 15 minutes later, it starts downpouring. We reach the summit lodge drenched and chilly.
Inside, we hang our packs, change into dry clothes and hang our wet clothes by the fireplace to dry. We go to the dining room and have hot chocolates and hot lunches. As we eat, the rain stops and the skies clear. Happily, we actually get a view instead of the cloud banks we walked in with.
We find a gas station open on the other end of town, close to where the trail re-enters the woods. So we stop for sodas, chocolate milk, and snacks. Subaru has his first whoopie pie ever.
Back on the trail, we begin a long gradual 3000 foot climb. Overall, the terrain is still pretty agreeable and rock free. A couple steep parts, but overall gradual. About 30 minutes before we summit, it starts raining. About 15 minutes later, it starts downpouring. We reach the summit lodge drenched and chilly.
Inside, we hang our packs, change into dry clothes and hang our wet clothes by the fireplace to dry. We go to the dining room and have hot chocolates and hot lunches. As we eat, the rain stops and the skies clear. Happily, we actually get a view instead of the cloud banks we walked in with.
Then we begin our descent. At first, it's pretty mellow, though wet. Then we hit some steep areas where I occasionally turn around and lower myself down backwards, ladder style.
The terrain levels out and we have a 2-3 mile level walk into the town of Williamstown. About 40 minutes before we arrive, it starts downpouring.
The trail dumps us out onto a street in a residential neighborhood and we take cover in the front entrance of a school as the rain turns into a thunderstorm.
Flipping through pur book, we find a hotel that will pick us up and we call from the school.
Williamstown Inn is one of the nicer hotels we've seen pn the trail. And the staff is really nice. They tell us about a Mexican reastaurant, Desperados that has certain dishes free to hikers. Of course we head over!
The terrain levels out and we have a 2-3 mile level walk into the town of Williamstown. About 40 minutes before we arrive, it starts downpouring.
The trail dumps us out onto a street in a residential neighborhood and we take cover in the front entrance of a school as the rain turns into a thunderstorm.
Flipping through pur book, we find a hotel that will pick us up and we call from the school.
Williamstown Inn is one of the nicer hotels we've seen pn the trail. And the staff is really nice. They tell us about a Mexican reastaurant, Desperados that has certain dishes free to hikers. Of course we head over!
Great day of hiking. Great night of eating. And a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in.
RSS Feed
