Trekking/Hiking 2:45:00 [3]
Relocated Earl to Taconic State Park on Saturday night so that I could scramble up Bear Mountain in CT the next morning. Woke up Sunday morning sicker than ever and logic would dictate I should have stayed in bed! But since adventure trumps logic most of the time for me, I reasoned that I'd regret more NOT going on my adventure than doing it in a bit of discomfort.
The trail was a lollipop that started on the Undermountain trail then met up with the Appalachian trail about a mile from the summit of Bear Mountain. At just over 2300', it's not actually all that high but I loved the idea that it was the highEST and that I'd get to go on the AT too. The route up was not too bad and I was wondering why the trail descriptions I'd read talked about scrambling during the last half mile. Had the summit to myself, save for a thru-hiker quietly asleep under a trail nearby! I thought about leaving a peanut butter sandwich for him but was worried I'd scare him by going so close to his tent.
Continued off the hill on the AT on the other route up/down, and then I saw what was meant by scrambling! The trail was all rock and with my back out I wasn't sure I could make it down safely and almost turned around. But I just took my time and made good use of my poles and sliding down things on my bum and was glad I got to see a different trail on the return route. Saw the spot where the AT crosses the CT/ MA state line which I thought was super cool!
When I got back to the van I made Earl's signature 2018 dish: a McEarl, which is a McCain hashbrown sandwiched between two mini tortillas with cheese. Despite the cold and kinda cripply back (which I'll let rest now), I was very glad that I went through with this adventure!
And I got all the beer across the border too, so success on all fronts! :-D