Date: 2006-06-29
From: Pine Swamp Branch Lean-to

To: Brassie Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 21.0

Ahh, a nice relaxing night. I needed this after last night. I didn't get into camp until 9:30pm and it was 10 or 11 before I got to bed. It was nice getting into camp tonight before 6pm and having plenty of daylight to make dinner and journal. I hiked 21 miles today from Pine Swamp Branch Lean-to to Brassie Brook Lean-to. Yesterday I hiked 17 miles from Ct. 341 to Pine Swamp Branch Lean-to. Stigmata and I split a hotel room with Afterburner and Mr. Breeze in Kent, CT the night before, due to the rain and Stigmata's feet problems. He decided to get off the trail there, so I'm flying solo again. There aren't many thru-hikers around, but I'm sharing this shelter with two section hikers, Jeff and Jack, who've been good for conversation.Again, I'm glad tonight has been relaxing. Yesterday was quite stressful. I didn't get out of Kent until 2pm because I was busy resupplying and updating my journal. I knew I had to make good time if I was to make the 17 miles before dark. Furthermore, Amy's father had surgery yesterday, so I was worried about that all day. Thankfully, I was able to get to a payphone around 6:30pm and find out everything had gone well. I'd hoped my last 6 miles would have gone smoother after receiving the good news, but no. Shortly after getting back on the trail, I came to the trail crossing at Guinea Brook. The way that stream was swelled and raging, I expected to see a bridge. Much to my surprise, the trail went down to the foot of the stream and picked up about 30' away on the other side. I spent a good 10 min. trying to figure out a way to cross without getting my feet soaked and almost succeeded. I got about 3/4 across on rocks, but could go no further. I had no choice but to plunge into the knee deep water and wade to the other side. Once across I tried to continue on my way, but felt like I had fish bowls on my feet, so had to ring out my socks and empty puddles out of my boots. Nothing like hiking with soaked feet!This whole diversion pretty much guaranteed I'd be doing some night-hiking. I hate walking in the dark, mostly because I have a hard time following the trail. And sure enough, once it got dark, I lost my way by a large rock outcropping. Once I was certain I was longer on the trail, I retraced my steps to where I'd seen the last white blaze. Sure enough, I'd missed the turn off. As I made my way across the outcropping I heard a strange hissing/snorting noise in the rocks. Having my headlamp on, I turned my head to shine light toward the noise and saw something quite large moving around. Terrified, I began banging my hiking poles together, which made the animal jump out onto a rock. At this point I realized it was some sort of bird, and figured it was a turkey based on its size. However, once I got a better look I realized it was a bird of prey. From what I could see, my guess would be it was a bald eagle. It was neat seeing it from about 10' away, yet terrifying at the same time. I continued banging my poles together until it flew off. I suppose that occurrence made the night hike worth it, but I was still in a bad mood when I got to camp at 9:30pm. I was hungry, out of water, and my boots were soaked. I allowed myself to sleep in this morning so as to start out fresh. The late start worked out well since it poured from 6:30am to 8am. After that it sprinkled on and off, but nothing too bad. You can tell it's been raining a lot from all the swelled streams across this section. I've been paralleling the Housatonic River the last few days and some of its rapids have been incredible. Shortly after crossing the Housatonic today on Iron Bridge, I came to the Great Falls. The guidebook warns that the falls really aren't all that spectacular on account of a hydroelectric plant that diverts much of the water. However, the falls were roaring today when I passed. I could hear them from a mile away!Across from the hydroelectric plant by Iron Bridge is an old canal. It was built in 1851 as part of a series of canals that were supposed to transform the area into a huge industrial city, much like Holyoke, MA. Regrettably, the engineers who built the canal neglected to use mortar, causing it to leak. And so the dream went up in smoke haha!The terrain has definitely started to get more mountainous. I came up Prospect Mtn. this morning and up most of Bear Mtn. this afternoon. The views have been gorgeous, although my body is working much harder than it's had to in a while. Well, I have a 23 mile day tomorrow, so I should get to bed.1491.1 miles down, 683.9 to go!Bear Can