Dugan
New member
I am not sure of the route since I was not navigating for this trip. In looking at the map now, I'm guessing: Northrup to AT to - was it Bellows Pipe?
Particpants: Dugan, Jade with Carmen, Rocksnrolls, SilentCal - Lattinhill with Maya and friend joined us for the descent from the summit.
I hooked up with Jade & Rocksnrolls on route 2 east of North Adams. We convoyed out to the Bellows Falls trailhead where we met up with SilentCal. We decided to use Jade's pick up truck to ferry south to begin our hike. Somehow, Rocksnrolls, SilentCal, and I squished and squeezed into the backseat, while Jade drove and Carmen rode with the entire passenger seat to herself.
We reached the Visitor Center, checked out the bathrooms and some maps. A staff member was very helpful with information about the three Taconic trails - though somewhat unwilling to part with park maps. We geared up and headed off down the trail with Carmen in the lead.
The first hill warmed us up and got us blowing. We took our first break near the top to adjust layers while Jade instructed Rocksnrolls in the proper use of a hydration system. Suffice to say the humor descended to our usual low yet hilarious level. Despite our uphill trend, the humor went only downhill for the rest of the day.
We continued along, enjoying the woods. We reached a bridge that'd been sawn in half. It looked as though it was about to be rebuilt. It was very easy to hop the narrow streambed it'd formerly spanned. The sunshine and blue skies in the open areas below Jones Nose warmed us, while the light breezes kept us from getting too warm. The climb up Jones Nose was probably the steepest stretch of the day. Near the top was also our first sighting of... snow!
The ridge from the Nose to the summit was chilly, but very nice. The balsams scented the air. The numerous puncheons reminded us of the Ethan Pond area. We were passed by an Alligator Egg shouting - VFTT patch wearing hiker. He turned out to be none other than torn&frayed, who I met on my very first VFTT hike. We reached the radio tower where we met up with Lattinhill and Maya. Am I seeing double or is that two cute brown dogs? Lattinhill warned us to expect another group of VFTT'ers shortly.
We found them, made introdoctions all around, the quickly went over to the shelter of the shelter for yet another break. There were three in this group... Jay H, daxs (hope that's right?), and ? (sorry!). We exchanged our alligator eggs. Jade was disappointed that the eggs were not chocolate colored. This time of year, only bunnies lay chocolate eggs, I don't know if alligators have a holiday for that. We shared treats, compared maps, and got to know each other. Warning: be especially careful for dog paws in the shelter. There were some pieces of broken glass with sharp edges.
We slipped and slid on the bits of snow and ice remaining on the AT as we descended from the summit. We quickly reached our next intersection. We took another break to enjoy Lattinhill's friend's yummy homebaked ginger-chocolate chip cookies. We found our way down to the cars where we said goodbye to SilentCal. I re-rigged my car to allow passengers then we took off to Chopsticks in Williamstown for a yummy post hike meal, joined by Lattinhill and friend. The food was plentiful and good, and the service was good. We discussed hiking plans for next weekend (Glastonbury in VT anyone?) and said our goodbyes.
The trails we saw were mainly in good shape. The lack of snow pack means the mud isn't too bad for spring. There is some obvious trail work underway. There were some blow downs, but none that can't easily be gotten around. There were bits of snow and ice left, but nothing that required traction devices.
Particpants: Dugan, Jade with Carmen, Rocksnrolls, SilentCal - Lattinhill with Maya and friend joined us for the descent from the summit.
I hooked up with Jade & Rocksnrolls on route 2 east of North Adams. We convoyed out to the Bellows Falls trailhead where we met up with SilentCal. We decided to use Jade's pick up truck to ferry south to begin our hike. Somehow, Rocksnrolls, SilentCal, and I squished and squeezed into the backseat, while Jade drove and Carmen rode with the entire passenger seat to herself.
We reached the Visitor Center, checked out the bathrooms and some maps. A staff member was very helpful with information about the three Taconic trails - though somewhat unwilling to part with park maps. We geared up and headed off down the trail with Carmen in the lead.
The first hill warmed us up and got us blowing. We took our first break near the top to adjust layers while Jade instructed Rocksnrolls in the proper use of a hydration system. Suffice to say the humor descended to our usual low yet hilarious level. Despite our uphill trend, the humor went only downhill for the rest of the day.
We continued along, enjoying the woods. We reached a bridge that'd been sawn in half. It looked as though it was about to be rebuilt. It was very easy to hop the narrow streambed it'd formerly spanned. The sunshine and blue skies in the open areas below Jones Nose warmed us, while the light breezes kept us from getting too warm. The climb up Jones Nose was probably the steepest stretch of the day. Near the top was also our first sighting of... snow!
The ridge from the Nose to the summit was chilly, but very nice. The balsams scented the air. The numerous puncheons reminded us of the Ethan Pond area. We were passed by an Alligator Egg shouting - VFTT patch wearing hiker. He turned out to be none other than torn&frayed, who I met on my very first VFTT hike. We reached the radio tower where we met up with Lattinhill and Maya. Am I seeing double or is that two cute brown dogs? Lattinhill warned us to expect another group of VFTT'ers shortly.
We found them, made introdoctions all around, the quickly went over to the shelter of the shelter for yet another break. There were three in this group... Jay H, daxs (hope that's right?), and ? (sorry!). We exchanged our alligator eggs. Jade was disappointed that the eggs were not chocolate colored. This time of year, only bunnies lay chocolate eggs, I don't know if alligators have a holiday for that. We shared treats, compared maps, and got to know each other. Warning: be especially careful for dog paws in the shelter. There were some pieces of broken glass with sharp edges.
We slipped and slid on the bits of snow and ice remaining on the AT as we descended from the summit. We quickly reached our next intersection. We took another break to enjoy Lattinhill's friend's yummy homebaked ginger-chocolate chip cookies. We found our way down to the cars where we said goodbye to SilentCal. I re-rigged my car to allow passengers then we took off to Chopsticks in Williamstown for a yummy post hike meal, joined by Lattinhill and friend. The food was plentiful and good, and the service was good. We discussed hiking plans for next weekend (Glastonbury in VT anyone?) and said our goodbyes.
The trails we saw were mainly in good shape. The lack of snow pack means the mud isn't too bad for spring. There is some obvious trail work underway. There were some blow downs, but none that can't easily be gotten around. There were bits of snow and ice left, but nothing that required traction devices.
