I've been looking forward to this section of the Appalachian Trail for a long time. Today, I will be climbing up and over Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. I grew up in western Mass and 2 or 3 trips (in a car) up to Greylock was a summertime ritual. I was first there when I was 6 and my last time was probably around age 12 or 13. Because there is a road to the top, Lynn will be meeting me up there.
Here's Lynn and Madison on Phelps Ave in Dalton.
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I only got about a mile into today's hike when I came to this sign and was met with disappointment.
Under the sign was a notice stating that all the roads to the top of Greylock were under construction and would be closed for the next TWO YEARS. I have the worst timing sometimes. At least the hiking trails were still open. I was fortunate enough to get a cell phone signal. I called Lynn to let her know to meet me in Cheshire rather than on Greylock.
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It was a long, steep climb, but I was highly rewarded with a great view on a subpeak of Greylock.
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Here's the road work that I mentioned earlier.
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I made my way up to Mount Williams, another Greylock subpeak.
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View from Mount Williams
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I made my way up and over the viewless peak of Mount Fitch, the last subpeak on my way to the summit.
I 'm getting close to the summit now.
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Crossing the closed auto road.
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This shelter was closed and locked.
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Almost there
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There's the tower. I was looking forward to climbing the tower that I first climbed when I was 6, but it was locked. It was still fun to see it after all these years.
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There was a nice, but hazy view from the 3491' summit.
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Plaque near the summit
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AT marker near the summit
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Bascom Lodge was all boarded up.
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It was a little eerie being on the summit after all these years. It was always so active with crowds of people. With the roads closed, I only saw 3 or 4 hikers at the top. After thoroughly exploring the summit and bringing back lots of happy memories, I began my descent of the mountain.
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I passed a small unnamed pond.
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A look back at the tower
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A couple paths of just a few yards led to some outlooks on the way down.
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Up and over a stile.
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Up a small hill . . .
. . . down the other side . . .
. . . over another style . . .
. . . and back into the woods.
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A few minutes later I met Lynn coming from the other way. We crossed this field . . .
. . .went through a corn field . . .
. . . and walked down School Street in Cheshire.
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Lynn got to see Surge again today, a sobo hiker that I had seen a couple times already. She gave him an orange to help him along the way. I must have been a mile or two behind him all day. I hope to see him again before I have to head home.
