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Hiking the AT in CT in 3 DaysHiking the AT in CT in 3 Days
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Hiking the AT in CT in 3 Days

March 2023 - May 2024
An open-ended adventure by Lee Read more
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  • TravelerHiking the AT in CT in 3 Days
    1

    Hiking the AT in CT in 3 Days

    March 28, 2023 in the United States

    Day 1: March 28, 2023
    Hoyt Rd Trailhead (Sherman, CT) to Dawn Hill Rd crossover (0.1 up from the Housatonic River in Cornwall Bridge, CT).
    Total miles today: 21.4.

    This began the 3 day jaunt through CT, completing the 50 miles from the NY/CT border to the top Bear Mountain, 1 mile from the MA border. We used the Litchfield Inn in Litchfield CT for our home base each night. Karina dropped me off at 8 am each morning & picked me up at 6 pm each evening. Wash, rinse, repeat.

    This first morning, the rain was just ending and it was @ 35 degrees. Got up to 46 for a high with clearing skies. Karina dropped me off at the trailhead next to the Welcome to CT sign.

    This first day had a couple of decent climbs up, but was definitely the easiest of the 3 days.

    Started up the 1,000 ft Ten Mile Hill right off the bat, and continued on through rolling pine forests beautifully lined with mountain laurel.
    After paralleling the Housatonic River for close to an hour, I crossed down the road very close to Bull’s Bridge (an 18th Century covered bridge with some historical significance), but was in a groove and wanted to keep going.
    Headed up Schaghticoke Mountain late in the am that had nice views of the River Valley.
    Came down off the mtn, went across Route 341, and was greeted by pastoral farm lands and a winding River. The road crossing was 0.8 from downtown Kent, CT & the Kent School.
    Up we went for the next 3.5 miles to the summit of Caleb’s Peak (1,200 ft). Wonderful views of Kent from up there. Was not necessarily ready for the 800 ft decent straight down the St. John’s Ledges on the other side. But was happy that the steep rock face was dry and that I took it slow. Didn’t see anyone all day and it might’ve been a while before someone found my carcass.
    After the decent, was able to relax and lower the heart rate with a nice 5 mile walk along the Housatonic to my meet up place with Karina at the Dawn Hill Rd crossover.

    Dinner and wine at Da Capo Italian restaurant was amazing and I felt like I do normally after a marathon. A great first day.    Read more

  • TravelerHiking the AT in CT in 3 Days

    Hiking the AT in CT in 3 Days

    March 28, 2023 in the United States

    Day 1: March 28, 2023
    Hoyt Rd Trailhead (Sherman, CT) to Dawn Hill Rd crossover (0.1 up from the Housatonic River in Cornwall Bridge, CT).
    Total miles today: 21.4.

    This began the 3 day jaunt through CT, completing the 50 miles from the NY/CT border to the top Bear Mountain, 1 mile from the MA border. We used the Litchfield Inn in Litchfield CT for our home base each night. Karina dropped me off at 8 am each morning & picked me up at 6 pm each evening. Wash, rinse, repeat.

    This first morning, the rain was just ending and it was @ 35 degrees. Got up to 46 for a high with clearing skies. Karina dropped me off at the trailhead next to the Welcome to CT sign.

    This first day had a couple of decent climbs up, but was definitely the easiest of the 3 days.

    Started up the 1,000 ft Ten Mile Hill right off the bat, and continued on through rolling pine forests beautifully lined with mountain laurel.
    After paralleling the Housatonic River for close to an hour, I crossed down the road very close to Bull’s Bridge (an 18th Century covered bridge with some historical significance), but was in a groove and wanted to keep going.
    Headed up Schaghticoke Mountain late in the am that had nice views of the River Valley.
    Came down off the mtn, went across Route 341, and was greeted by pastoral farm lands and a winding River. The road crossing was 0.8 from downtown Kent, CT & the Kent School.
    Up we went for the next 3.5 miles to the summit of Caleb’s Peak (1,200 ft). Wonderful views of Kent from up there. Was not necessarily ready for the 800 ft decent straight down the St. John’s Ledges on the other side. But was happy that the steep rock face was dry and that I took it slow. Didn’t see anyone all day and it might’ve been a while before someone found my carcass.
    After the decent, was able to relax and lower the heart rate with a nice 5 mile walk along the Housatonic to my meet up place with Karina at the Dawn Hill Rd crossover.

    Dinner and wine at Da Capo Italian restaurant was amazing and I felt like I do normally after a marathon. A great first day.    Read more

  • TravelerHiking the AT in CT in 3 Days

    Day 2 of CT

    March 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    Day 2: March 29, 2023
    Dawn Hill Rd crossover (0.1 up from the Housatonic River in Cornwall Bridge, CT) to Rt 7 parking lot in South Falls Village, CT.
    Total miles today: 15.4

    Karina dropped me off on the Dawn Hill Rd crossing at 8:30 am and I immediately began climbing away from the Housatonic River to the top of Silver Hill (El. 1,200 ft). A clear, crisp morning with temps in the upper 30’s.

    Most of the day was spent scaling numerous 1,000-1,500 foot (big) hills
    such as Bread Loaf Mtn and Pine Knob, with picturesque views of various villages (Cornwall Bridge, West Cornwall & Sharon).

    Early on, there were two river crossings where the water was really flowing and I had to take my socks & shoes off to cross (thigh high water level). Though my feet ultimately loved the calming and rejuvenating effects of the near frigid waters (once I
    put my shoes back on and warmed up), it did slow my morning pace down quite a bit.

    At about 1:00, traversed up to the well known Roger’s Ramp, a crevice in a split boulder that you need to walk sideways through in order to progress up and out of the 2 story rock formation. Pretty cool.

    Speaking of cool, after summiting the highest point of the day (Mount Easter, 1400 feet), the trail brings you to a rocky outcropping with an epic view of Lime Rock Speedway. Located in Salisbury, CT, the speedway is on the U.S. National Register of Historic places, and has featured many well known
    racers such as Paul Newman, Mario Andretti & Tom Cruise.

    The day ended with a rolling, 2 mile decent into Falls Village and it’s beautiful farmlands. Met Karina at 6:00 pm at the small parking area adjacent to a cow farm on Rt. 7 in South Falls Village.    Read more

  • TravelerHiking the AT in CT in 3 Days

    Day 3 of CT

    March 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F

    Day 3: March 30, 2023
    Rt 7 parking lot in South Falls Village, CT to Undermountain Trailhead on CT Route 41.
    Total miles today: 13.2

    Karina dropped me back off at the small Rt. 7 parking cut-out in South Falls Village at 8:45 am. The first half mile was a road walk along Warren Turnpike before turning into the woods and going past an old Iron works site from the 1800’s.

    This was the coldest day of the three (16 degree windchill in the am and a high temp of 37 for the day) and two inches of snow fell during overnight which made for beautiful scenery.

    The icy cold morning mist made for an amazing backdrop to take in the famous falls at the 2 mile mark. Was not expecting the enormity of the water flowing over the falls. Breathtaking. (see video and pics).

    Upon leaving the falls you go directly up 1,500 foot Mt. Prospect, the first of 3 large climbs for the day. The snow levels increased as you headed higher, and the 4 mile rolling descent into Salisbury enabled me to get into a relaxed groove.

    The final 2 climbs of the day (Lion’s Head: 1,800 ft & Bear Mountain: 2,400 ft) were the biggest of the week and the most treacherous due to the sometimes 2 foot snow drifts on the always shady ridge line trail. It was exhilarating but also nerve racking at the same time as my pace was slowed by the deep snow, it was starting to get later in the day, and I still had a 2 mile hike down off Bear Mtn via the Undermountain access trail where Karina was waiting to drive home.

    During the 2 mile descent, it was pretty crazy as I went from deep snow and 25 degree temps to no snow whatsoever and 40 degrees. I stopped quickly on the way down to speak to 4 hikers who were on their way up to spend the long weekend in tents and take in the views. They didn’t have micro spikes, didn’t know about the snow they were about to hit, and the heavy rain was about to roll in, but they were happy and seemed ready for adventure.
    Personally, I was happy in knowing that a McDonalds was 30 minutes down the road with Quarter pounders and vanilla milkshakes for the taking!!    Read more

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