Falls Brook Trail

Falls Brook trail, a short loop that is just shy of 2 miles, follows along Falls Brook down into a ravine and then back up to the road.  While it only takes an hour or so to hike there is a nice variety of scenery all along this trail.

I have hiked this trail a few times in spring and summer, and thought it was a beautiful fall day to hike it again.  Once leaving the road you begin descending toward the stream.  There was not much water flowing as it is still quite dry in New England, but there was a trickle.  The trail takes you through mixed hardwood forest and Hemlock groves and keeps the trail shaded the entire time, with only a smattering of sunlight filtering through the trees.  The falls at the far end of the loop are an interesting feature, more so when there is more water flowing.

On the return side of the loop, which follows the stream closely, I tried playing around with different camera shots and video.  It was a nice quick hike for the afternoon.  

An overnight on the AT

I wanted to get back out for an overnight with my wife and since we both had the same days off this weekend it seemed like a good time to go.  It has been quite awhile since we have hiked or camped together.  The weather was predicted to be beautiful so we packed our packs for a night in the woods. I didn't plan a long hike as we didn't have a lot of time, so I decided to head back to one of my favorite spots on the AT, Tom Leonard Shelter and Ice Gulch.  We arrived at the trailhead around 6pm and made good time to the shelter.  I was hoping that the tent platform would be free for us and luckily it was.  After dinner we set up the tent and did the few camp chores that were needed.

Now it was time to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest.  The platform afforded us a great view looking south toward East Canaan, CT and the hills in that area.

There were some dragonflies flitting around and some small forest birds hopping on the rocks around our tent, probably hoping for a crumb or two.  As the light faded the Katydids were singing their tune, which always makes me think of the end of summer and the start of fall.  Once it got dark we got in the tent and were asleep early. It was a cool night and the stars were out along with a crescent moon.  We awoke with the light and packed our gear and were back on the trail by 7:30am.

 We chatted with the hikers that had stayed in the shelter, talking about water and how things were going.  Two of the hikers were the SOBO thru hikers I had met early in the week at the Mark Noepel Shelter.  They both looked to be in good spirits and were making good time on their journey south.  I never got their names but I wish them all the luck and good fortune on their journey.

It was then a short hike out to the car and off to get some coffee and breakfast.  I enjoyed this short trip, it was nice to have my wife along, and it helped to restore my spirits after the tough time I had earlier in the week.

Dalton to Greylock - Hot and Dry on the Appalachian Trail

We arrived at the Gulf Road trailhead about 4:45pm on Monday evening and planned to hike the 4 miles to the Crystal Mountain campsite.  My father accompanied me for the night and we would go our separate ways the next morning.  I had planned to finish the Massachusetts section and start on Vermont hiking about 10+ miles each day.  I had packed extra water, carrying about 3.5 liters and 4 days worth of food.  This all brought my pack weight to a little over 30 lbs. My base weight is usually around 17-18 lbs. so it really felt heavy.  The trail climbs steadily for about 2 miles then flattens out to the campsite.  The sun was starting to go down as we crossed the power lines and made it to the campsite.  After taking our packs off and looking around the various tent sites we ate the grinders we packed in and set up our hammocks.  We had the entire area to ourselves and had no trouble finding places to hang from.  Once set up and fed, we hung out and talked as the light faded. We turned in about 8pm.  Crystal Mountain has a bear box and a privy.  There are plenty of tent sites but no platforms.

Crystal Mountain Campsite

Register at Crystal Mountain

I slept on and off throughout the night, waking at one point to a few owls hooting overhead.  They stayed around for a while it seemed.  We were up at first light and made coffee and had a few breakfast bars before packing up.  We were back on the trail by 7:20am.  Dad hiked back to Gulf Rd. and I continued North.

The trail stays fairly flat as it rolls along the top of the ridge passing by Gore Pond and the Cheshire Cobbles before descending down to the town of Cheshire.  This section went pretty quick and I was feeling pretty good other then my shoulders and back, which were starting to protest the heavy pack. The road walk through Cheshire was hot, but went by quickly.  The trail is marked well through town and I had no trouble finding where to go.

Gore Pond

Cheshire Reservoir

Cheshire Cobble

Trail through a corn field

The trail gets off the road and goes through a corn field before crossing another road and climbing out of town.  I was beginning to get hot and had been sweating a lot, so I was deliberately drinking every 15 minutes or so.  I knew that I was in for a steady climb heading out of Cheshire and tried to prepare myself.  There is one pretty steep section that has a few switch backs but over all the trail takes a gradual route up the mountain. The trail goes through some beautiful old farm fields with great views before its back into hardwood forest.

I had planned to try to make it to Wilbur Clearing for the night but as I went along I knew I wouldn't be able to go that far.  My best bet was to make for Mark Noepel shelter, about 10 miles, and then finish Mt. Greylock the next morning.  Although I didn't feel like the day was overly hot, I was sweating out more water then I was taking in, which was beginning to concern me.  I had passed a number of streams that were either dry or had just a few nasty looking puddles and so my water supply was dwindling.  I had a difficult time climbing as the trail ascended and stopped often to drink and recover.  I needed many rests as I went and the pack weighed on me adding to the difficulty.  I was not feeling very good and loosing my appetite, but I forced myself to eat a Snickers and push on.  I needed to get to the shelter and rest.  Even with my many stops I made it to Mark Noepel about 12:45pm, only to find the shelters water source dry.  I had hoped there would be water but the lack there of was not unexpected.  I had about 1 liter left and knew the next reliable water would be at the summit at Bascom Lodge.  I was unsure whether to stay or push on.  Two thru hikers heading South stopped in, also looking for water, and moved on when I told them there was none.  I set up my hammock to rest in and ended up sleeping for about an hour.  When I woke it was still early and I felt a little better.  I thought I would try to eat something to see if that would make me feel better but I was only able to eat a little of the Mountain House meal I cooked.  I was not feeling comfortable with such little water, knowing I was probably dehydrated and needed to drink.  It was at this point that I made the decision to make for the summit, get water and postpone the rest of the hike.  It was about 3 miles of rolling terrain before the climb to the summit.  

I didn't think I would be able to continue my hike the way I was feeling so I called my wife and asked her to meet me at Bascom Lodge.  I struggled to make it to Rockwell Rd, having to stop frequently to rest.  Once reaching the road, I was out of water and out of gas.  I stayed there and waited for my ride.

I learned some valuable lessons on this hike.  I overestimated my ability to carry all that extra weight. I have not hiked with a multi-day loaded pack since spring, just day packs, so was not used to carrying the extra weight.  I brought extra water but because this was a particularly hot week I needed to drink more.  There were no good sources for water on the trail, this being the driest time of the year and so I tried to conserve when I could.  I had anticipated not having easy access to filterable water, but I still didn't have enough, and carrying more would have only added to my weight issue. The heat effected me also, and I think I was experiencing the beginning stages of heat exhaustion. Hiking solo can be very rewarding and enjoyable, but this hike I didn't like being alone.  I found myself getting down and I just wasn't having a good time or hike.  I think all of these things put together made my decision to get off the trail a good one.  I am disappointed that I was not able to continue but the trail will be there next time and I will finish this section with a little better planning and preparation.