Spent the morning with K2 on the Tunxis Trail, between the two Ratlum Road crossings.  I intended to check on a the side-trails that have popped up over the years.

It was a magnificent day, about 65 degrees with a nice strong breeze coming up the ridge.  No humidity and bugs were at a minimum.  

Came very close to another Br'er Bear today, on the return trip on the last peak about 8/10-mile from the start (just prior to the Lake McDonough lookout).  I slapped the tree with the log-book attached, as I often do (no idea why), and Brother Bear was startled while half-way up a small black birch about 15' away.  The bear descended very quickly, which startled me!  I about-faced and took three big steps before turning back to see the bear was as disinterested in me as I was him.  Opposite direction at about 25-mph.  It was my third bear in the last three weeks, all very close, all big.

K2 and I managed 7-miles, and it went pretty easy.  The foliage along the Tunxis Ridge does not seem to be affected by the gypsy moth as Shenipsit area is.

First Peak heading north (about 8/10-mile), Brother Bear sighting.

 Second Peak, about 1-Mile out.

Interesting rock piles along the route.

Lake McDonough Lookout.

K2 wrapping it up.