morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-10-12
From: Sages Ravine, MA

To: Falls Village, CT
Miles today: 2.4

Hiked at least 11 miles today - Some on- trail and some not. Will fill in details later this week.Ok - I needed to get the top portion of CT hiked and the only way I could figure this out was to hike up the Undermountain Trail to the junction with the AT, then hike over Bear Mountain and down into Sages Ravine, then turn around and come back via the Paradise Mountain Trail. A lot of hiking for little mileage. I parked at the lot for the Undermountain Trail and hiked the 1.9 miles up to the AT. Once on the AT, I immediately began the climb up Bear Mountain. The views were very nice and the weather was again super. Ran into many hikers. Then I tackled the down into Sages Ravine. The Thru-Hikers Companion warns that the climb down into Sages Ravine is very steep and should not be attempted in foul weather. This was the first time in my AT hiking that I had to slid down rocks on my fanny. It was challenging but really not too bad. I just had to be careful so it took a while. Once I hit the sign for Sages Ravine, I turned around and took the other trail down to the Undermountain Trail, and back to the parking lot. Since it was early and I was feeling good, I decided to do a short section further south in order to cut away at some more miles. I drove to the parking lot by the hydroelectric plant on the Housatonic River in Falls Village, CT. I then hiked north to the parking lot for Great Falls, turned around and came back. I did some very unnecessary hiking along the River when I followed the white blazes with the orange backgrounds. I thought I could loop around but finally realized that it was going to be a long hike and I was actually hiking on the emergency routing for the AT in case they release the dam and the River floods up and makes hiking the AT dangerous. At least I think that's what the orange signs were all about. So I wasted some time and hiked about 5 miles round trip that I didn't have to hike. Ugh. So as I said, I hiked over 11 miles, with only 2.4 of those counting towards my goal. Tomorrow should be better!'Til later
Date: 2009-10-13
From: Cornwell Bridge, CT

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 11.1

I met Dave? at the local outfitter in Kent at 8am and he dropped me off at Cornwall Bridge, CT Rt. 4. I hiked up a somewhat difficult Silver Hill and then spent most of the day walking along the Housatonic River. It was again a beautiful day. The hardest part of the hike for me was making my way up St. Johns Ledges. I found this to be very difficult technically and I had trouble finding the blazes at one point. I wasted about 30 minutes walking about 50 feet. The rock climbing was hard for my short legs and I had to toss up my hiking poles several times in order to use both hands to grab onto the edges of rocks, roots, trees and whatever else was available. For some reason, I think this was the most difficult section of the Trail I have hiked to-date. Maybe I was tired but I think I was also pissed that the markers were, in my opinion, difficult to follow and I wasted a lot of time climbing rocks, losing the Trail, and having to climb back down and start over. So the day was not going well until I am in the middle of the woods and along come two female hikers and a guy. She looks at me and says "you look familiar - did you hike down south last year?" Turns out that I met these two women (and a third that was not with them on this trip) in the Holiday Inn in Erwin, TN last year. They were taking a zero and CougarBait was helping me try out new shoes in the Erwin area. I can't believe she recognized me. It was really funny. We talked for about 15 minutes. They have completed over 500 miles of the Trail and were trying to finish CT. Too funny. We exchanged info. just in case they do a section next spring. Its always nice to camp with others. I enjoy hiking alone but not camping alone. I hiked back into Kent and drove back to the Holiday Inn Express in Great Barrington, MA (my base for this excursion).'Til later
Date: 2009-10-14
From: Hoyt Rd., CT/NY State Line

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 11.5

I again met Dave? at the outfitters at 8 am and he dropped me off at Hoyt Rd on the CT/NY state line. I began hiking at 8:20 or so. I really enjoyed the first half of the day. Nice weather again, a little cold but it felt really good. I ran into a few hikers early but it was pretty quiet out there. I had to end the day climbing up and over Schaghticoke Mountain. Dave had warned me that it was a rattlesnake infested area and that just last week a guy came into his shop saying that he ran into a large rattler laying across the Trail. He had to throw rocks at it to get it to move out of the way. Great. Just what I want to see when I am by myself. So I get to the top of the mountain and along comes a hiker in the other direction. His eyes were wide and he says "be careful up around the corner - there was a large rattlesnake right in the middle of the Trail. I threw things at it and it finally moved but the end might still be on the Trail." Talk about good timing! I never saw the snake but it really slowed me down. I ended up carrying my hiking poles in one hand and a large stick in the other hand - not sure what that would have accomplished but it made me feel better! I finally got down to the road and again walked into Kent, back to my car. Schaghticoke Mountain was a lot of work for really no reward - no views, a very narrow trail in most places. The Trail in CT is not really impressing me very much - I can see why hikers just push through without taking the time to enjoy it. The walks along the Housatonic have been the nicest sections so far. Next week I will be completing CT with the help of CougarBait. 'Til later
Date: 2009-10-20
From: Conn. 41, Undermountain Rd. Salisbury, CT

To: U.S. 7, Conn. 112
Miles today: 10.1

Continued quest to complete Connecticut. CB dropped me off at the Undermountain Rd. parking lot in CT and I started south. Very boring. I didn't see anyone and there really were no views to speak of. When CB met me in the parking lot by the Great Falls (I was jumping over the section I did last week - from the parking lot at the Hydroelectric Plant to the Falls) I realized what the orange-background blazes meant. There is a sign but because I hiked in the detour area last week, I never saw it. So all of the road walking I did last week does count! CB dropped me off on the road - where I think I turned around last week - and I hiked to the intersection of 7 and 112. It appears to be a longer hike than the Trail would have been but because the bridge at this intersection is under construction, you need to take the road walk detour. That walk was probably the most interesting part of the hike! Should finish tomorrow.'Til later
Date: 2009-10-21
From: Conn. 4, Cornwall Bridge, CT

To: U.S. 7, Conn. 112
Miles today: 11.5

Today I completed Connecticut. CB dropped me off at Conn. 4 in Cornwall Bridge and off I went. Many ups and downs, and very, very boring. I did see my first rattlesnake today - it was a small one and it was very visible to me but I was climbing up so I was going slower than I would have been if I were climbing down. It was laying across the Trail so I threw a few things at it to move it. I was able to go around it on some rocks. Exciting! I did not take a picture of it because with my luck, I would open my backpack and it would slide down the rocks and land on top of the snake. I immediately ran into three guys who looked like they were thru hiking and warned them. Other than that, and almost getting lost because the blazing down the mountain after the Hang Glide View was non-existent (I ran into a section hiker who warned me about this - email going to maintaining org - the only time I stood in the woods screaming about it) I met CB at the road crossing and off we went. I'm done for the year. New goals for 2010. I understand now why hikers don't linger in CT - I really did not enjoy it much. I liked the hikes along the Housatonic River and the northern section by Bear Mountain - but not the rest of it. Maybe I was tired but it was a bit of a chore to complete this section.'Til later
Date: 2010-04-23
From: U.S. 9, N.Y. 403 Peekskill, NY

To: Not Sure
Miles today: 0.0

Planning my two or three week excursion for the month of May. I think I may try to finish up New York - so I can add that state to my list. I seem to do better if I have a defined goal. My mother can buy me a new charm for my charm bracelet - every time I complete a state on the AT I get a new charm. I thought this was a brilliant idea! I'm thinking of then trying to complete Massachusetts in May. I volunteered to provide the updates to the Thru Hikers Companion for the section of Trail between Salisbury, CT and Lee, MA - which means I need to hike it - I've already done the Salisbury, CT to Sages Ravine section but will do it again this year. If the weather isn't too hot and nasty, I may try to do New Jersey and part of Vermont this summer. I would love to get to 500 miles by August but we'll see. 'Til Later
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Tyringham, MA Road Crossing

To: Cobble Hill
Miles today: 2.5

Traveled to western MA yesterday to do two days of hiking - in and out so double the listed miles. Yesterday I hiked the section from Tyingham, MA (Main Road) to Goose Pond Road and back - total miles 8.4 but only 4.2 count. A nice hike - no views but a varied terrain that kept me challenged just enough for my first time out this year. Didn't see a soul all day. The Trail was in great shape - no blowdowns and a really nice walk in the woods. The weather forecast for this am was nasty but I decided to try to do a small section before heading home. I started from the same place - Tyringham at the Main Road crossing and hiked up to where the Cobble Hill Loop Trail comes into the AT. Many boardwalks - most in pretty good shape - but the rain was coming and I ran most of the way back to the car. Only managed 2.6 miles but did it very quickly. Hope to do either more sections of MA next week or possibly head to NY for a while. Will see.....'Til later
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Guilder Pond

To: Half Way Down Race Mountain
Miles today: 3.4

I think I have my mileages in here correctly. Gets a little confusing when I jump around so much. Someone commented about the date on my journal. I just kept the 2008 date and have added to that original journal. Makes it easier for me to keep track of my miles - so even though the heading of my journal says 2008, its really from 2008 forward.Did a lot of hiking in pretty nice weather over the last week or so. It was actually a little hot for me and quite buggy on certain days. Seems like the heat and bugs are making an early appearance this year in MA. I am in front of the thru-hikers (except for a few) so I didn't see many hikers. I ran into a few section hikers - including a couple from Virginia (probably in their early 60's) and MedicineMan - I spoke to both at length. MedicineMan was very funny - told me that he would help me out if I was down in his neck of the woods - but I asked if he had cats and he said 'yes'. He bought a place in the country near Roan Mountain and when he complained about the mice, some oldtimer told him that he had two choices - he could piss on them or get a cat. So he got the cat. He also told me that he could desensitize me to my cat allergies (told a story about dealing with a patient and her penicillan allergy) but I would have to drink the cat saliva. Too funny - but I should check this out on the internet. He may be on to something but I still wouldn't do it! I continue to be surprised about some difficult climbs in Massachusetts. Last year, I got down a large chunk of Bear Mountain by sliding on my rear down the rocks. Have short stubby legs and can't do much about my methods sometimes. On this trip, I found the climb south from Jug End Road very difficult. I was also taken with the beauty from the top of Race Mountain. Probably my favorite hiking view to-date. I also thought the area around Tyringham was very pretty. And walking over the Massachusetts Turnpike was fun in an odd way. I plan on coming out again next week. I have one section to complete south of Lee and then I plan on using shuttles/taxis to do some sections heading north from Lee. I would love to have MA complete by the end of the month. I hope it cools off a bit!'Til Later
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Lee, MA

To: Becket, MA
Miles today: 9.4

Will be section hiking again tomorrow and playing Thurs by ear. The hotels are full due to Memorial Day weekend. The section today was fairly easy - only one climb to speak of and that was first thing this am. Arranged a shuttle for today and tomorrow so I don't have to hike out and back for once. The trail was very overgrown in places - an early spring and not many hikers this far north yet. I scooped up a tick when I got back to the hotel. It had just tried to bite me. I put it in a plastic bag - just in case. The ticks are out there folks. I'll head back home on Thurs and may come back out for two more days early next week. Heading to FL on the 3rd to see my hubby and help him close up the house for the summer. Finishing MA may have to wait - too freekin hot and buggy already!'til later
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Becket, MA

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

Hit 300 miles today. Hot but didn't fell as bad as yesterday. Very easy terrain but mucky in spots. There are a lot of boardwalks in this section but they are in the right place about half the time so there is a lot of muck you need to walk through. Buggy but not as bothersome as yesterday. Saw a few section hikers but otherwise quiet. Flicked a few ticks off my pants and just did my daily check and all looks good. The hardest part of the hike was the last mile along roads in Dalton. There is a nice little bench at the corner of Mass 8/Mass 9 so I took a nice break in the shade and watched the world go by before walking that last hot mile. A woman offered me water as I passed her house - very kind of her. May do a small piece tomorrow before heading home for the weekend. Will still need to come back and do Dalton to the Vermont state line. May do Dalton to Cheshire next week and then hang up the boots for a month or so. 'til later
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To, MA

To: Mt. Wilcox North Lean-To, MA
Miles today: 1.8

Actually hiked over 7 miles today but I'm filling in a gap in MA so I had to hike out and back and I had to hike a trail around Benedict Pond. Met many, many hikers today and it was an enjoyable morning. This may be it for a while - I plan on completing one more small piece in the south of MA and then use a shuttle to complete the rest - so 5 more days of hiking to finish MA.'til later
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Mt Greylock MA
Miles today: 8.3

Hiked with a friend of mine today. We left one car in Cheshire MA and the other at Notch Rd near North Adams. Hiked up Mt Greylock to the summit - a very tough 8.3 miles in hot but not humid weather. Finishing a small section tomorrow. Will leave me with 3 days to finish MA! 'Til later
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Fernside Road, Tyringham MA

To: Mt. Wilcox North Lean-To
Miles today: 3.8

Hiked a small section in and out today as I continue to chip away at Massachusetts. So even though I only get credit for 3.8 miles, I really hiked 7.6. It seems like I've been hiking in MA forever but I am getting close to completing the state - 3 more days to go and I should be done with MA. Then I'll focus on getting New York completed - maybe in September and October, when it cools off. I saw a handful of very stinky NOBO Thru's today - man did they stink. It must be the hot weather - or lack of hygiene. Or a combo of the two. An unremarkable hike today - but very buggy. Despite the use of Deet, I have several large bites - even one on my stomach - and I can't figure out how that got there! I think they bite right through clothing. Its supposed to cool off here next week and I might try to finish up - I'll decide next week.'Til later
Date: 2010-09-12
From: North Adams, MA

To: MA VT Border
Miles today: 4.1

Drove to the Greylock Community Center in North Adams and parked the car. Started up the Trail at 12:44pm. It was a much easier climb than the elevation map showed. I made excellent time (for me - anytime I go 2 MPH its a great day). Hit the junction with the Long Trail at the border and started back down. Rain threatened all day but never came. A nice day to hike - about 60 degrees and overcast but not low overcast. No bugs, no heat - loved it! No hikers either - where was everyone? Probably watching the Patriots. Just a few fat chipmunks - which are everywhere this year.I am now officially done with Massachusetts. Now its on to New York to see if I can complete that state in October. I'm not optimistic but I'll do a few days at a minimum. I need about two weeks to complete it - I've only done a few small sections. Then I go into hibernation in Florida for the winter and dream about hiking in the spring. 'til later
Date: 2011-05-28
From: South Mountain Rd NY

To: Camp Smith Trail
Miles today: 1.2

Had a few hours so hiked a very small piece of trail just east of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Went in and out so hiked 2.4 but only get "credit" for 1.2 of those. May do some more miles near Gettysburg/Caledonia SP next week.'til later
Date: 2011-05-31
From: Caledonia State Park, PA

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 2.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Drove out from NJ early this am and started hiking at 10:15am. Went in and out and hiked 5.2 miles but only get credit for 2.6 of those. Started at Caledonia State Park in PA and hiked to the Quarry Gap Shelter. This has to be one of the nicest shelters on the Trail. Clean, hanging plants, little yellow duck things stuck on the walls of the shelter and a really nice food box - I wish all shelters had those. Hanging food bags - whether from a tree or from a wire - is no fun. It is currently 95 degrees out - it was very hot today. I'll start tomorrow around 6:00 am and will be done by 11:00 am to beat the heat and the thunderstorms. Helped out a few hikers by taking them to the grocery store today. I plan on leaving water by the Trail tomorrow. I also plan on stopping by the AT Museum.'til later
Date: 2011-06-01
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Toms Run Shelters
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked in and out again today - from Pine Grove Furnace State Park to the Toms Run Shelters and back. The hike itself was unremarkable - in fact, it was buggy, a little wet and no views. But it was enjoyable sitting around afterwards. I chatted with a few hikers at the General Store in the Park and then sat in the AT Museum and chatted with the volunteer and Uncle Noel - a section hiker that finished hiking the entire trail in 2010 and was out doing sections from Pen Mar in MD to Boiling Springs. I ended up giving him a ride to the Allenberry Inn in Boiling Springs. I was also chatting with a couple who were doing a section hike - they are Mark and Betty Gatewood and they are featured in the current issue of ATJourneys for their work on the chestnut trees. We were all laughing because Uncle Noel, the Gatewoods and I are all mentioned in the current issue of ATJourneys! It was hot again today but its storming right now and the next two days are promising to be very nice. By the way, the AT Museum is very nice! Its worth the quick visit if you are in the area.'til later
Date: 2011-06-02
From: Whiskey Spring Rd

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 6.0

Cougar Bait followed me in the other car to Boiling Springs this am and I left my car in the hikers parking lot. He dropped me off at Whiskey Spring Rd and I hiked back to the car. Much nicer hike than yesterday - except the long walk across the farm fields. It would have been a really nice walk but the Trail was very overgrown and could use a mowing. Note to maintaining club.Didn't see many people today - which surprised me since it was beautiful outside. I'm done with my PA hiking for now - maybe some more this summer when we drive to/from Chicago for a week. 'til later
Date: 2011-06-28
From: Three Mile Road, NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter, NH
Miles today: 2.6
Weather: clear sky

Hiked in and back this am - drove up from Plymouth and started hiking at 9:15 - took me a while to find the trailhead this time. Hiked up Moose Mountain, a little further to the Moose Mountain Shelter - a very nice looking shelter by the way - and back down. A total of 5.2 miles. I was done by 12:15 - but I got up at 4:15 so the days is half over. I'll do another small section tomorrow before heading home. Saw four other hikers today - none of them looked or smelled like thru-hikers. It's probably too early to be seeing many this far north. This section of trail was very buggy and mucky - I felt like I was in Massachusetts. There were a few areas of severe erosion also - or at least what I consider severe erosion. It looks like the Trail is well-used in this part of NH - probably because Dartmouth is just down the road.
Date: 2011-06-29
From: Trescott Road, NH

To: Three Mile Road, NH
Miles today: 3.9

Parked at the hiker lot on Trescott Road and hiked north to Three Mile Road and back. An interesting hike - beautiful woods, lovely meadows (wet on the way in but beautiful), a lot of muck and very easy. I hiked in and back so actually logged 7.8 miles today - all by 10:20 am. I only saw one hiker all day. That's it for this trip - I may do a small hike in Southern Virginia at the ATC Bienniel meeting next week. 'til later
Date: 2011-10-26
From: Arden Valley Road, NY

To: Seven Lakes Drive, NY
Miles today: 2.2

Every little bit counts - on my way south and did a short 2.2 miler today - actually longer because I looped back by walking on Seven Lakes Drive so about 4 miles total. I also drove over to the Bear Mountain Inn and took a look at the beautiful stone steps that have been put in by the local trail maintaining club. A big thanks for putting in steps that my short little legs can actually walk up normally. Coming down I had to double-step a few times but these are great steps. I may try to do some additional sections in NY next week - weather and health permitting.
Date: 2011-11-11
From: Manitou Road, South Mtn Pass NY

To: One Mile From Rt. 403 and Rt. 9 Peekskill NY
Miles today: 2.4

On my way to Dot's for two nights before I head to DC - Stopped in NY near Bear Mountain to complete a small section that I need to do - in and out so hiked 5 miles today. Arrived too late in the afternoon to do the whole thing so will finish the last mile in and out tomorrow and do another small section on the other side of the Bridge. Not much to say about it - no views, only saw two other people and a dog, and a lot of slippery leaves. It just felt good to be outside in the woods. There were even little seats for me to rest on! 'Til Later
Date: 2011-11-12
From: Rt. 403 and Rt. 9 Peekskill NY

To: One Mile From Rt 403 and Rt. 9 Peekskill NY
Miles today: 1.0

Completed the last mile in this section by hiking in and out at 7am. Nothing spectacular this am. I then drove to the west of Bear Mountain and did another section. I'll post that under tomorrow even though I did it today.'Til Later
Date: 2011-11-13
From: Seven Lakes Dr. NY

To: Turnoff to West Mountain Shelter, NY
Miles today: 1.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked in and out so actually hiked 3.2 plus the mile from this am for a total of 4.2. Seemed longer - the hike up and down West Mountain was a tough one. Especially coming down - the leaves are very slippery and it really slowed me down. I saw at least 25 hikers this am - it was a beautiful day for hiking - sunny, about 40 degrees and just lovely. Some great views from the top of the Mountain. I was hoping to go a bit further and hike down to the Palisades Parkway but the hike back up would have been too much. Maybe next week on my way back to MA - its only a mile up and another back down so it should take me about 70 minutes. That would be it for the year. 'Til later