It rained overnight but cleared by the time I started my hike. The woods are wet but the trail is not too muddy. Forest is in full green particularly at the lower elevations. I started the day by crossing over the river.
Thereafter the trail followed a rail line for a short distance out of town before meandering left up into the mountain along a stream. I may be the first on the trail this morning as I periodically break through spider webs stretched across the trail. After about an hour three people passed by but no others would pass me today until I stopped to camp.
It’s cool but the exercise warms me up so I strip down to just a t-shirt. At times a cold wind picks up and I think about adding a layer but then the sun shows and I feel a little warm.
About 5 miles in I stop at the Curly Maple Gap Shelter. It looks like it has been rebuilt as it looks fairly new and has a second deck.
Met Hard Mike from Norfolk MA and to my surprise Tobasco was there. I didn’t stay long.
Up, up and more up today, mostly walking through woods as we switchback up the mountain. Once in a while there is a break in the trees so I get some great views.
As before, there was always something unusual found deep on the trail. Someone found this as a suitable final resting spot for a pet.
The long walk up to the Beauty Spot pays off with some extraordinary views.
Found a camping site about a hundred yards past the top down in the woods. Actually two guys from Georgia came up and we all decided to stay there. Not long after several others came and soon the available tent sites were full. Met a guy from Michigan (Gourmet), a young lady from Pittsburg and a couple others. We built a fire and had dinner and then some of us walked back up to Beauty Spot to see the sunset. It did not disappoint.
It was getting cold and windy so we didn’t linger once the sun slipped over the horizon. Once warm in my sleeping bag, sleep came quickly.
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