Date: 2018-08-31
From: Mt. Wilcox South Shelter

To: Jug End Mountain
Miles today: 17.3

Just after I dozed off I heard a strange noise. I tried to figure out what it was but couldn't. I tried to sleep but couldn't. So, I put my headlamp on and ventured out in the dark. The noise seemed to be coming from the old shelter. I walked down the trail and slowly went around to the front keeping the light on the shelter at all times. There it was, the noise maker. The biggest porcupine I had ever seen chewing on the overhanging floorboards. Just as I chased it away a Barred owl above made a strange noise like a cat and that scared me. I went back to the tent. Barred owls kept calling, some sounding strange like a giant cat. Not long after I got in my tent the chewing began again. The Barred Owls calling, the porcupine chewing, and the acorns hitting the steel roof of the new shelter. I think that will keep the bears away. This morning I was up before 5. I set up my Vargo stove just outside my tent. I used the moonlight to fill the stove with denatured alcohol. Then I made coffee as I enjoyed the warm morning and the moonlight. By the time I was making my second cup of coffee clouds came in and the moonlight was gone. Using my headlamp I packed up and got on the trail at 5:58 a.m. The day was just awakening. I pushed hard all morning to get to Great Barrington. I estimated I'd get there around 1 p.m. The trail was pretty good and I seemed to be making good time. The entire day was cloudy. I met Grace, a trail volunteer, at the Tom Leonard Shelter. She backpacked in to check the trail and clean up the shelter. Then, separately, two Nobos. One said he didn't think he'd make it to Katahdin before the park closes and wasn't too concerned about it. The other is pushing hard and is sure he'll make it. At the bridge over the Housatonic River I saw two guys from Pennsylvania. They were waiting for a group of guys that have been hiking the AT in sections for 16 years. They were finishing up this year's trip at the bridge and I met them shortly after I left. I got to US 7 right around 1 p.m. Since it was only 1.5 miles to the Big Y grocery store I decided to not hitch. But trail angel Melissa saw me and took me to the store. I got four days of food and an Italian sub. I also got duct tape for my shoe that is coming apart. As I left the shopping center I saw an Aubuchon Hardware store and went in. I asked for Gorilla Glue. The guy saw my shoe and said I need Shoe Goo. I went outside to glue and tape my shoe. On the walk down the highway I ate the Italian sub and drank a Dr. Pepper. My exaggerated limping got no sympathy so I ended up walking all the way to the trail. On the trail at 2:40, which I was happy about. The trail went through some bogs. The mosquitoes were horrible, much worse than Maine. The trail went by the 1787 Shays Rebellion monument. Then through and along farmland. I saw cows and sheep. As I came to Jug End Road the book said east on road .25 miles to water but the sign said .1. I went down the road looking and saw a dry creek so went on. I finally turned around and headed back. Then I saw a pool of water and reluctantly filled one liter up. As I headed back to the trail I investigated the dry creek. As I went into the woods I saw water! It went naturally underground way before the road. I dumped out the yucky water and got two clean liters. Back at the trail I headed up Jug End Mountain. It was rocky and steep. After 45 minutes the worst was over. I saw a campsite but continued. After 10 minutes of more climbing and no campsites I returned back downhill to the one I saw earlier. Time was 6:30. After getting in the tent and darkness came I was blessed with a sound, one of my favorites and the first time I heard them this year: Katydids. I hear Katydids above me and crickets around me. Sweet sounds to fall asleep to.