Massachusetts: days 87-90

Day 87: mile 1499.6 to 1522, 22.4 miles
Day 88: mile 1522 to Upper Goose Pond Cabin, 25.7 miles
Day 89: Upper Goose Pond Cabin to Dalton, 20.6 miles
Day 90: Dalton to North Adams, 23.5 miles
Total AT miles hiked: 1592.2

With the humidity and heat wave broken by an afternoon of thunderstorms, we headed out of Salisbury and immediately hiked up Bear Mountain, the highest peak in Connecticut. It technically isn’t the highest point in the state, that distinction is saved for the southwest shoulder of Mount Frissell, located just before the border between Connecticut and Massachusetts (Mt. Frissell is in MA). We enjoyed the views, and excited hiked a couple more miles to pass into Massachusetts.

We had lunch in a quiet ravine next to a stream, and then it was back up to the ridge. The day was beautiful, and although the end of the trail was still over 600 miles away, walking through red pine forests made it seem much closer. We passed by the road leading to Great Barrington, and a few miles of farmland, before getting back to the woods. We found a flat spot, quickly set up the tent, and dove in to escape the mosquitoes that had suddenly appeared.

The next couple of days were a mix of pastures, mountains, and beaver bogs. One road had a small shop with cold soda and snacks for purchase. We hiked a longer day to make it to Upper Goose Pond Cabin, which is run by volunteer caretakers. It was getting dark when we arrived, so we didn’t get any pictures, but it was a big red cabin with bunks and a porch on a pond. We spoke to the caretaker a bit, and then fell asleep. The next day we slept in Pittsfield, as the trail passes right through Dalton to the east. It started to pour as we arrived, and we decided to stay the night at throne hotel in town. They were full, but offered to drive us the few miles to Pittsfield which has more services. The next morning we were able to Uber back to the trail! 

Garrett’s friend Jared and his family were camping 23 miles away in North Adams, and we were hopeful we’d be able to make it over Crystal Mountain and then over Mt. Greylock (the highest point in Massachusetts) to Route 2 to meet-up with them. We had a later start from town, and weren’t moving as fast as we’d hoped, but after lunch we got some pep in our step and made it to Greylock’s summit by 3:30pm. 

We checked our messages, and our friends were on the summit, too! They had driven up for a late lunch. We found them, took a break, and made plans to meet 6.5 miles later at the bottom. We hiked quickly, and made it in time to enjoy the evening at the drive-in campground they’d set-up at. They treated us to homemade dinner, and breakfast the next day. It was so much fun to spend time with them, their two kids, and their new puppy. It was a great way to celebrate our last full day in Massachusetts, too! Next up, Vermont!