Date: 2015-08-13
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Riga Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

I was up early and went over Sharon Mountain and down to the Housatonic River.Today was a beautiful but challenging day. There would be 2 stout climbs and beautiful views. There were 2 unexpected detours which added over 3 miles to the hike from 20 to 23 miles as the Iron Bridge had been taken down to be rebuilt. The first detour was at US 7. Right across from the detour sign was a service station with a soda machine and I had just enough change on me to buy one Poweraid! I walked for awhile with a group of hikers along the detour road walk past the church and to a self serve organic vegitable stand on the side of the trail. I bought a number of cucumbers and tomatos and took a break in the shade to eat them. Then as they rested I took off as I still had miles to go before the shelter. I stopped for water after the Iron Bridge construction site and shot a video at the larges waterfall on the trail. It was a series of cascading waterfalls and a man made dam. The river roared with ferocity and was about 100' across and flowing in great volume. I looked down and saw some of the hikers that I had seen previously swimming and having a good time. I found plenty of apples and berries as I hiked. Then the trail cut off of the road and climbed up Mt. Prospect and by the Limestone Spring shelter where I stopped for a snack break. Then I stopped briefly at the view at Rands Field and the Giants Thumb. The Giants Thumb is a huge rock sticking out of the ground and looks like a giant thumb! I saw a giant, bright green catapilliar with a dark green head that stood out starkly on the trail so I had to stop and take pictures. There was a yellow sign with Smoky the Bear warning "Hikers Be Careful." Then followed another long road walk on US 44, Cobble Road and finally the Undermountain road. Shortly after getting on the trail at a gate there was trail magic beer and I grabbed a couple to drink with dinner at the shelter. From there it was up, up and away to Lions Head Mountain with its grand views and then the Riga Shelter. There were a maze of trails and it took a little while to find the shelter. I found it and then claimed a spot and got settled in. I had picked up water on the way by and didn't have to worry about it. I love it after the rain because the tiny florescent orange newts come out along with tiny toads that hop frantically everywhere as you hike by, trying not to step on anyone. Tomorrow I will be crossing into Massachusetts and my 11th state! Connecticut was a challenging state that is helping the hikers to get our hill legs get back into shape. We'll need it for the Whites. Here's to getting to Maine! The Riga Mountain shelter has one of the most beautiful views on the trail. You can see the Twin Lakes and ,I'm told, the Berkshires in the distance. I had mac and cheese with a packet from a Ramen noodle, Olive oil, bacon pieces, and siracha seasoning (which I love ). The group of hikers that I had hiked with earlier had arrived. One was a thru-hiker and the other 4 were doing a section hike with her. They said that they wanted to catch the sunrise and I said that I would get them up in the morning. I turned in and listened to some Enya before going to sleep.