Date: 2018-08-27
From: Wilbur Clearing shelter, MA

To: Crystal Mountain Campsites
Miles today: 15.8

It was a warm beautiful morning. No one else at the shelter area showed any signs of life when I left. On the trail at 6:58. Not a bad hike to Mt Greylock save the last half mile. But I was up on top about 9:30. The views were great. Some fog drifted around the Massachusetts War Memorial. I walked down to the Bascom Lodge for a $3 cup of coffee. It was strong, apparently high octane, but it was good. I headed out after 10. It would be a long but easy drop to Rt 8 in eight miles. Aside from three mud holes the trail was in good shape. Mosquitoes were abundant which reminded me I was supposed to get bug spray in Williamstown yesterday but forgot. Before Rt 8 the trail went through multiple mowed fields offering distant views of the mountains ahead. At Rt 8 there was a Dollar General in sight. I stopped for four days of food and bug spray. It was the largest Dollar General I've ever seen. I was in hiker heaven. The clerk even said "Welcome to the Cadillac of all Dollar Generals." I headed back to the trail which passed between houses and then a six foot wide path through tall corn. The path led onto a residential street that had US flags on each power pole. Then I stopped in Cheshire at Diane's Twist for ice cream and a chili dog. It was hot out and she warned me it is to be in the 90s the next two days. Green Machine and Fay, who passed me earlier, came over and sat at the picnic tables with me. A boy about 12 handed me an address book. He asked for our trail names and contact info. He said he guides hikers in town and has been doing it for three years. He said his trail name is North Star since he guides hikers through town. He also said the local newspaper recently did an article about him assisting hikers. Everyone left so I packed up. It was hot. I headed down the street and up a side street going up a hill. The hill and heat reminded me of yesterday. Just as hot but the street not so steep. Ice cream, a chili dog, and Powerade, all settling fine. The trail entered the woods then climbed a short steep section to the "Cobbles." I was soaked in sweat. I dropped my pack and walked out to the views. Way below was Cheshire. Way out I could see Mt. Greylock and the towers on top. I retrieved my pack and continued. The trail was decent and feature a little rock and roll. Green Machine was coming towards me. He had put out his rain fly to dry back in town and now was going the almost four miles back to get it. I felt bad for him and tried to encourage him but he was upbeat about it. He said he'll stay at the church and head out in the morning. He is so fast I'm sure I'll see him tomorrow. At Gore Pond I almost stopped but concern about drinking pond water pushed me on. It was a beautiful area but I needed water, good water. I came to Crystal Mountain Campsites and went up the hill. It was just after 7 p.m. Only Fay was camped there. I found a secluded site and dropped my pack. As I turned around the sun was a big orange ball glowing through the trees. It was such a beautiful hot August sunset. I quickly got water down a side trail, rinsed off some, and returned to the camp. After setting my tent up I took my food bag to the metal bear box. When I opened it I could see that mice had chewed previous food supplies in there and it smelled of mice pee. I decided I'd take my chances with the bear. I haven't bear bagged yet. Back at my tent I looked at the sunset and listened to a barred owl calling hidden somewhere in the woods. What a beautiful night.