Photo Gallery

Appalachian Trail MA - 09/21/2026 - 9/25/2026.

40 mile hike starting at Shay‘s Rebellion monument in MA to Washington Mtn. Rd MA

9/21/2026
After waiting out rain for a day we started hiking with heavy packs. Had to re-hike 2 miles to pickup where we had stopped in 2022. Steep climbs and many rocks today. Camped at Tom Leonard Shelter.

9/22/2026
Sandra‘s knee and hip not doing good. We stopped at next road crossing and called a AT shuttle driver to come take us back to our car. We regrouped and got a hotel room in Lee MA to decide what to do next. I hiked an additional 3 miles today with just day pack.

9/23/2026
Sandra decided I would slackpack and she would shuttle me. I started at Benedict Pond and hiked north to Main Rd just east of Lee about 10 miles. I tripped on a root and fell face first into bushes. Scratched my face and neck. First time I had ever fell and hurt my self hiking on the AT. Tyringham Cobble was a great area with wonderful views.

9/24/2026
Hiked from Main Road to Becket Road for 9.5 miles. At lunch I had a grouse that stayed around me for the entire time. I think she was guarding her chicks. Upper Goose Pond was beautiful.

9/25/2026
Hiked from Becket Road to Washington Road for 8.5 miles. Big rain storm was coming in for tomorrow for 3 days so this would be all for hiking this trip. The rocks are too dangerous to hike down when wet and muddly.

Highlights
Enjoyed the Berkshires of MA. The rolling mountains with small towns, farms and lakes were iconic. The hemlocks and bogs were also beautiful. The bogs were different, as we don‘t have them in the south. Didn't see any bears but saw lots of signs.

Post Trip - Take Aways What worked, what didn’t.
Needed to work on stronger left hip as it as giving me issues. Need to put in more mileage and "Ruck" more in preparation for rocks and climbs. Get pack weight down. I weighted 193 pounds this trip and this was my lowest body weight when hiking, but still could lose 5 more pounds. My Altra shoes did well, I think my feet were strong and up for the hike even wearing zero drop minimalist shoe.