Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.
~Thomas Jefferson
August 6, 2022
AT miles: 11.4
Ascent: 1729’
Descent: 2205’
Weather: mid-80’s and sunny but thankfully less humid
Sightings: chipmunks and toads
High points: crossing the Massachusetts Turnpike and swimming in Upper Goose Pond
This morning I was very sad to leave The Cookie Lady’s place. This sort of special relaxing welcoming environment makes world peace seem possible!
I walked through an area where the powers that be did a controlled burn as part of managing the forest. It made the trail look quite odd.
Only in New England do you walk by glacial erratics the size of a Mac truck!
The trail wandered and twisted and turned. Eventually it climbed Beckett Mountain (2180’), which has no views but it does have a lovely fern meadow at the summit.
After a rapid descent I reached one of the high points of hiking the Appalachian Trail for me — crossing over the Massachusetts Turnpike. That sounds weird, but I’ve driven under that Appalachian Trail sign many many times, and it was really thrilling to walk over the AT sign instead of driving under it.
Less than two miles later I reached Upper Goose Pond Cabin, where I got to experience another AT first — swimming! Relaxing in the water felt heavenly!
Today was a low mileage day not by choice but because of Massachusetts regulations. Unlike many other states, Massachusetts does not allow stealth camping along the AT; hikers are required to stay overnight only in official camping areas. The next permitted camping is 14.4 miles away, and I didn’t want to hike that many more miles. Consequently, I ended up having a relaxing afternoon at Upper Goose Pond!
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!
That’s exciting that you got to walk over that sign! I’ve also driven under it many times! Was there any view at all from the bridge?
Catherine
Yup — but the view was just of traffic.
Thanks