Today was the New England hiking day you dream of. The weather, the scenery, the lack of snakes. It was an idyllic day of hiking. So naturally, knowing this was coming, I chose to ruin the relaxation of it all by telling dad I would meet him at a shelter 28 miles down the trail. 

Massachusetts, while beautiful, is annoying. It doesn’t allow dispersed camping, meaning that you have to (or are at least highly encouraged to)set up your tent or hammock at one of the designated shelters. And these shelters are often 10 miles apart. After an off day, the 17 mile away shelter felt like too short of a walk. So we decided on 28 miles. Plus this shelter was on a stunning lake. And the comments said it may come with morning pancakes. 

So with all that in mind, I headed out early into the cool and brisk air that I had expected for the berkshires. I wasn’t cold when I left but, for the first time in a long time, I was closer to chilly than I was warm. I loved it. 

The hike started with a pine covered floor which snaked its way up a mountain. The trees thinned towards the top allowing beautiful views of the valley down below. And even when there weren’t views, it was still great. The forest looked, and I couldn’t quite tell you why I felt this way, like a quintessential New England forest. Green, lush, full of ferns. It was the type of day that reminds you how lovely it can be to walk through the woods when it’s not 200 degrees with 110% humidity. 

After that first climb, I came scross trail magic – a hiker named Mama Bear had left out soda and chips and a few lawn chairs. I relaxed in one of the chairs as I enjoyed a lovely pick me up before the next climb. 

And the day proceeded, more or less, like this for the next 20+ miles. Beautiful woods. Climb. Mama Bear trail magic. Beautiful woods. Climb. Thru hiker snack station. Beautiful woods. Climb. Chicken Blt I had packed in for lunch. Beautiful woods. Climb. But by the time I got to the last climb, there was no more trail magic. And I had no more easily accessible food. I just had to forced myself to put each foot in front of the other. 

But eventually I made it to camp where dad showed me where we were set up as well as where the cabin was. Most of the other hikers had chosen to stay in the cabin but, for some reason I cannot imagine, were all asleep by 7:30 when I got there. Lame. 

After a quick soak of my feet in the lake, dad and I ate dinner in the cabin (a rustic cabin with no electricity save for one light bulb we think may have been battery powered) with the cabin caretakers (apparently there are cabin caretakers.) they were lovely and confirmed that there will, in fact, be pancakes in the morning. I love Massachusetts. 

Key stats:

Miles: 28

Elevation gained: 6,000 ft

Mile marker: 1556

My feet: ache