Today, I have another long day planned with lots of mountains to climb up and over. The first one was Bread Loaf Mountain. The AT doesn't go quite to the top, but I couldn't resist climbing the side trail to the top.
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View from Bread Loaf Mountain
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There are lots of nice views in Housatonic State Forest
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And lots of short, but rugged climbs.
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Today I went over so many mountains with so many views, I can't positively identify all my pictures, but I think this one was the view from Easter Mountain.
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I met a hiker named Joe with his dog Jenny. They are training for a thru hike next year. Doing a thru hike will be new for Jenny, but not for Joe. This will be his 4th. He does it every ten years. He has completed thru hikes in '78, '88, '98, and now he is going for '08. After that he hopes he has one more in him for '18. Good luck Joe and Jenny!
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View from Sharon Mountain
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Hang Glider View
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Another view from Sharon Mountain
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I saw a hiker ahead of me signaling me to either slow down, be quiet, or both. I immediately heeded his signal and heard a loud buzzing sound.
"Is that a rattler?" I asked.
"Sure is," said the man. "I nearly stepped on him."
I got my camera out for a picture.
"You can get closer than that. A rattlesnake can only strike his length," he said.
I got a little closer.
"You can still get closer."
This was a very bold and daring man . . . with my life. I figured I was as close as I wanted to be and snapped a couple pictures. I've completed just over 3/4ths of the Appalachian Trail, so I've been way over due to see a rattlesnake.
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Next I made my way over Belter's Bump which had a limited view.
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I haven't seen many styles on this trip.
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I dropped down to US Route 7. The next 4 miles would be a breeze. Time for a road walk.
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I took the auto bridge over the Housatonic River.
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I walked past a high school and then back into the woods.
This was a good place for a snack, so I sat and lightened my load by an orange.
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Crossing the Housatonic . . again.
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Housatonic River
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Next I saw one of the nicest waterfalls on the entire AT, Great Falls.
The area hasn't had much rain lately, so I bet the falls would be even better after some rain.
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View from the top of the falls
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Next I headed up to Mount Prospect
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The summit of Mount Prospect had a very limited view,
but further up the trail was Rand's view.
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This rock formation was appropriately named Giant's Thumb.
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I had a steep climb down Barrack Mattif, but there were a couple ladders to help.
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I only have about 7 miles left in Connecticut,
but tomorrow I plan to finish my last section in New York.
