START LOCATION: Laurel Ridge Campsite
FINISH LOCATION: US-7/Great Barrington, MA
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 12.7
TRIP MILEAGE: 1,511.5
MILES TO GO: 667.6
We did it again... 7:30AM camp break. I think we're on to something.
We rolled up and down Race Mountain and Mt. Everest...umm I meant
Everett... But it felt like Everest. But, it was all good.. Two tough
climbs and they felt ok... Because it was still in the 70's. This
changed quickly.
We got to Guilder Pond and saw our water source was a brook at Hemlock
Shelter. We walked up there... No brook... The drought dried it up. We
saw our next water source was another 5 miles away. Not good. We had
to backtrack .4 to Guilder Pond and drink from it. It's all good
though... Guilder Pond is the highest elevation body of water in
Mass... very little contamination opportunities. So, we treated and
drank. The whole charade cost us about an hour though.
Now in the 90's, we pushed a nice long downhill to Jug End road where
a faithful spring was located. That was a lifesaver. Otherwise, we'd
have a big push through lots of sun-drenched swamp and farmland coming
up completely parched. We pushed through that farmland with good
water, but man it still didn't feel like enough. It was oppressively
muggy and hot.
We were excited to arrive at US-7. Smoke's guidebook showed a
farmstand with fruit, ice cream, water and even showers. This would be
just what we needed for our last 5.5 mi push to Tom Leonard Lean-to.
Well, we arrived and saw nothing but an abandoned Quonset hut and some
old farm equipment. Ugh... The ATC needs to update their info. Our
souls were broken. It was in the upper 90's and we were out of water.
We just started walking towards Great Barrington. About a mile in, we
found a hot dog and ice cream stand. We had a burger, fries and ice
cream with lots to drink. Then we thought and thought and thought. We
couldn't hike anymore. We were busted. Smoke made a few calls and a
local motel owner came and picked us up.
The Monument Mountain Motel is clutch. The owner is very diligent and
hiker friendly. He runs a tight ship. I took my first shower since New
Jersey... It was glorious. We did laundry, had a cheap dinner and ice
cream at Friendly's across the street.
With our spirits repaired and our souls, gear and bodies clean, we
will take to the woods again tomorrow to continue our push to Dalton.
-natedog
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