It's the end of the year for tracking my "peaks" and/or at least "high points" along the trails I've visited.  December continued the downward trend for climbing.

December's High Points:

• Peaked Mountain, Monson, MA
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• "Nick's Hill", Metacomet Ridge, West Suffield, CT
• The Knolls, McLean Refuge, Simsbury, CT
• Briar Hill, Williamsburg, MA

November's High Points:

• Stone Wall Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Smith Brook Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Stone Bridge Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Ridge Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Mary Lyon Hill, Buckland, MA
• Putnam Hill, Buckland, MA
• Whiting Peak, Mt Tom Reservation, Holyoke, MA
• Soapstone Mountain, Somers, CT

October's High Points:

• Peter Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Stone Wall Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Smith Brook Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Walnut Hill, Goshen, MA
• Hyde Hill, Goshen, MA
• Chapel Ledge / Pony Cliffs, Ashfield, MA

September's High Points:

• Petticoat Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Unquomonk Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Scott Hill / Petticoat / Locke's Loop, Williamsburg, MA
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Little Tom, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Battlecock Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Bald Mountain, Somers, CT
• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT

August's High Points:

• Petticoat Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Unquomonk Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Big View, Williamsburg, MA
• Scott Hill / Petticoat / Locke's Loop, Williamsburg, MA
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT

July's High Points:

• Cat Rocks, Union, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Little Tom, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Mt Tom, Easthampton, MA
• Deadtop, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Whiting Peak, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Goat Rock, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Dry Knoll, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Mt. Nonotuck, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• East Barndoor Hill, Granby, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• O'Neil Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Tanager Hill, Simsbury, CT
• Indian Council Caves, Barkhamsted, CT
• Pine Mountain, Barkhamsted, CT
• Lake McDonough Lookout I, New Hartford, CT
• Lake McDOnough Lookout II, Barkhamsted, CT
• Sunset Lookout, Barkhamsted, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge

June's High Points:

• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• High Ridge, Williamsburg, MA
• Orchard Hill, Goodwin Race, CT
• Parker Hill, Dubuque State Forest, Hawley, MA
• Lake McDonough Lookout I, New Hartford, CT
• Lake McDOnough Lookout II, Barkhamsted, CT
• Sunset Lookout, Barkhamsted, CT
• The Pinnacle, Penwood State Forest, CT
• Little Thumper Mtn, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• Thumper Mtn, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• Indian Path to Saddle between Clark & Todd, Mohawk Trail SF, Charlemont, MA
• Clark Mountain, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Florida, MA
• Todd Mountain, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Hampden Overlook, Hampden, MA
• Goat Rock, Hampden, MA
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Hill 880' (Bald Mtn, Hampden), Hampden, MA
• Pine Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Rattlesnake Hill, Hampden, MA + Somers, CT
• Perkins Mountain, Camp Ayapo, Somers, CT
• The Pinnacle, Shenipsit State Forest, Somers, CT
• Bald Mountain (Somers), Shenipsit State Forest, Somers, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Moore Hill, DAR State Forest, Goshen, MA

May's High Points:

• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Granby, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• Pine Mountain, Tunxis Trail, Barkhamsted, CT
• Indian Council Caves, Tunxis Trail, Barkhamsted, CT
• Monks Mound, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville, IL
• Trillium Hill, Tunxis Trail, East Hartland, CT
• North Peak, Tunxis Trail, East Hartland, CT

April's High Points:

• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Bartlett Tower Hill, Tariffville, CT
• Pinnacle, Penwood State Forest, Bloomfield, CT
• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Rattlesnake Hill, Somers, CT
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Hart's Pond Hill, Agawam, MA

March's High Points:

• Hatchet Hill, Granby, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Perkins Mountain, Somers, CT
• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Rattlesnake Hill, Somers, CT
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT

February's High Points:

• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Goat Rock and Lookout Point, Hampden, MA
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge, Suffield, CT
• Hill 880', Hampden, MA
• Pine Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Perkins Mountain, Somers, CT
• West Ridge, DAR State Forest, Goshen, MA
• Walnut Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Granby, CT
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Merritts Hill, Williamsburg, MA

January's High Points:

• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Bald Mountain, Shenipsit State Forest
• The Pinnacle, Shenipsit State Forest
• "Balanced Rock Hill",  Shenipsit State Forest
• "Bent Birch Hill", Shenipsit State Forest

A visit to Williamsburg Woodland Trails, to wrap up "Briar Hill".  My original plans were to visit the nine-Williamsburg Woodland Trails, and add in three addtional that were "nearby".

The nine Willamsburg locations were as follows, now completed for 2018...

• Bradley
• Breckenridge
• Big View
• Briar Hill
• Graves Farm
• Hall / O'Neil
• Henhawk
• Historic Dam
• Petticoat Hill / Locke's Loop

The three additional locations were...

• Tilton Farm (North & South, Goshen Open Space
• Lily Pond, Goshen
• Devils Den

Today's visit to Briar Hill wrapped up the nine Williamsburg properties.  I finished the day with 4.1-miles, including some wandering and bushwhacking between the large swamp on Briar Hill Road and Merritts Hill.

Of the additional three spots, I managed Tilton and Devils Den.  Lily Pond is still waiting for me, I need a little additional scouting to make that work.

Looking west on Briar Hill

 Standing Stone on peak of Briar Hill

Standing Stone on peak of Briar Hill

 Swamp along Briar Hill Road

Excellent sunny day in the upper 40's, managed a slow 7.3-miles in McLean Refuge.

Toward the end of July I noticed The Trustees of Reservations "Hike 125" challenge.  

Originally, this program was started as a way to celebrate The Trustees 125th Anniversary in 2016.  It simply challenged people to get out and hike on Trustees trails.  Evidently, it has gone on beyond that 125th year anniversary, and I thought it would be a great way to get me out to a few spots I had been interested in, or hadn't been to in a great while.

The challenge dates were from April 14th through December 31st, 2018.  I was coming in late (my first logged "hike" on Trustee property was July 27th), and while I would have liked to hit 125-miles, I didn't think it was possible.

Here we are at the end of the year, and I might as well wrap things up.  The leader-board has me in 35th place for total miles, with 83.2.  I'll check in after the New Year to see if I managed to stay in the top 50.  I am pleased that I managed the miles that I did, as none of the hikes are exactly "close to home", so some driving was necessary.  I also realize that I only had 5 of the 8.5 months of time available due to my late start.  2019 should give me a better chance of hitting the 125, and I do expect to take the challenge once again.

From the Trustees website, it is mentioned that "Everyone who hikes more than 25 miles will receive a patch to celebrate your Hike 125 pride!"  I am looking forward to this!

"The Trustees of Reservations preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts."

Black Lizard / Vintage Crime novel completed, the 24th of the year.  Back to Burke, and Andrew Vachss.  "Hard Candy", from 1989.

Music 2018...

Effort #52, "Body of Christ".  I was playing around finger-picking some chords, and thoughts of Jesus came over me.

"... Got my Faith in the Body of Christ."

Christmas Day, spent with my DL and my folks.

Prior to the trip, I managed a beautiful 3-miles along the Metacomet from Phelps Road south.

Finished another Black Lizard / Vintage Crime novel.  This time, it was another gem by  Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo, "The Laughing Policman", from 1968.

A really nice cold sunny day in McLean Refuge, 6.6-miles.

4-miles late afternoon in McLean Refuge.

Drive to Adams to see the folks with DL.  Stops along the way:

• Mrs. Murphy's
• Cumberland Farm
• Perkarski's
• Angelina's
• Folks

Hard rain throughout, with temperatures jumping from low 60's to 38-degrees.  Off and on, the entire drive to and from.  Photos along Bucklin Road.

3.4-miles along the Metacomet, prior to work.

Long day at work, 3-miles on Main Street at night.

A nice cold sunny morning, 3.4-miles on the Metacomet prior to work.

Music 2018...

Effort #51, "Why Did We Have to Part", a rough one from Marianne Faithfull.

"...It was over and I didn't know it."

After driving out to N. Reading and then Plymouth yesterday, we made the return trip to Connecticut this afternoon.  Excellent visit with C/C & M/T.

Spent the early portion of the day romping through McLean Refuge for 5.5-miles on a grey, damp morning.

3.7-miles along the Metacomet, Phelps Road north.

Run at Stony Brook before work, 3.3-miles - with no issues from hamstring today.

More Chicago pictures, this time from "The Shedd".  We really enjoyed the visit.

Finished reading another Black Lizard / Vintage Crime novel, Jim Thompson's "The Getway", from 1958.

Music 2018...

Effort #50, "Voices Carry", 'til Tuesday's hit.

"...I'm in the dark, I'd like to read his mind."

Still slightly sore right hamstring, but it did feel better today compared with yesterday.  3.1-miles on the Metacomet from Phelps Road south.

McLean Refuge for a short run to see how the sore hamstring is doing.  2.9-miles, just ok.

The Mummy Exhibit was incredible, from the Field Museum in Chicago.  We learned that mummification was taking place in Peru and Chile, earlier than Egypt...

The visit to the Field Museum in Chicago during the Thanksgiving Holiday was a real high-point.

Looking over some of the photos from our Chicago trip last week, here are a couple from the Field Museum.

Music 2018...

Effort #49, "I Just Want Something To Do", from the Primitives in 1984.

"...I just want to be with you, I just want to have something to do."

Black Lizard / Vintage Crime kick, completed Andrew Vachss third "Burke" novel, Blue Belle, from 1988.

Continuing to track my "peaks", or at least "high points" along the trails I cover.  November seems to have been a little short on the climbing

.November's High Points:

• Stone Wall Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Smith Brook Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Stone Bridge Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Ridge Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Mary Lyon Hill, Buckland, MA
• Putnam Hill, Buckland, MA
• Whiting Peak, Mt Tom Reservation, Holyoke, MA
• Soapstone Mountain, Somers, CT

October's High Points:

• Peter Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Stone Wall Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Smith Brook Hill, Ashfield, MA
• Walnut Hill, Goshen, MA
• Hyde Hill, Goshen, MA
• Chapel Ledge / Pony Cliffs, Ashfield, MA

September's High Points:

• Petticoat Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Unquomonk Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Scott Hill / Petticoat / Locke's Loop, Williamsburg, MA
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Little Tom, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Battlecock Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Bald Mountain, Somers, CT
• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT

August's High Points:

• Petticoat Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Unquomonk Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Big View, Williamsburg, MA
• Scott Hill / Petticoat / Locke's Loop, Williamsburg, MA
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT

July's High Points:

• Cat Rocks, Union, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Little Tom, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Mt Tom, Easthampton, MA
• Deadtop, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Whiting Peak, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Goat Rock, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Dry Knoll, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• Mt. Nonotuck, Mt Tom Range, Easthampton, MA
• East Barndoor Hill, Granby, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• O'Neil Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Tanager Hill, Simsbury, CT
• Indian Council Caves, Barkhamsted, CT
• Pine Mountain, Barkhamsted, CT
• Lake McDonough Lookout I, New Hartford, CT
• Lake McDOnough Lookout II, Barkhamsted, CT
• Sunset Lookout, Barkhamsted, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge

June's High Points:

• West Sufffield Mountain, Suffield, CT
• High Ridge, Williamsburg, MA
• Orchard Hill, Goodwin Race, CT
• Parker Hill, Dubuque State Forest, Hawley, MA
• Lake McDonough Lookout I, New Hartford, CT
• Lake McDOnough Lookout II, Barkhamsted, CT
• Sunset Lookout, Barkhamsted, CT
• The Pinnacle, Penwood State Forest, CT
• Little Thumper Mtn, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• Thumper Mtn, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• Indian Path to Saddle between Clark & Todd, Mohawk Trail SF, Charlemont, MA
• Clark Mountain, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Florida, MA
• Todd Mountain, Mohawk Trail State Forest, Charlemont, MA
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Hampden Overlook, Hampden, MA
• Goat Rock, Hampden, MA
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Hill 880' (Bald Mtn, Hampden), Hampden, MA
• Pine Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Rattlesnake Hill, Hampden, MA + Somers, CT
• Perkins Mountain, Camp Ayapo, Somers, CT
• The Pinnacle, Shenipsit State Forest, Somers, CT
• Bald Mountain (Somers), Shenipsit State Forest, Somers, CT
• Peak / Copper Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Moore Hill, DAR State Forest, Goshen, MA

May's High Points:

• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Granby, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• Pine Mountain, Tunxis Trail, Barkhamsted, CT
• Indian Council Caves, Tunxis Trail, Barkhamsted, CT
• Monks Mound, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville, IL
• Trillium Hill, Tunxis Trail, East Hartland, CT
• North Peak, Tunxis Trail, East Hartland, CT

April's High Points:

• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Bartlett Tower Hill, Tariffville, CT
• Pinnacle, Penwood State Forest, Bloomfield, CT
• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Rattlesnake Hill, Somers, CT
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT
• Hart's Pond Hill, Agawam, MA

March's High Points:

• Hatchet Hill, Granby, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Perkins Mountain, Somers, CT
• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Rattlesnake Hill, Somers, CT
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• Stony Hill, McLean Refuge, Granby, CT

February's High Points:

• Skyline Overlook, Somers, CT
• Goat Rock and Lookout Point, Hampden, MA
• Minnechoag Mountain, Hampden, CT
• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge, Suffield, CT
• Hill 880', Hampden, MA
• Pine Mountain, Hampden, MA
• Perkins Mountain, Somers, CT
• West Ridge, DAR State Forest, Goshen, MA
• Walnut Hill, Williamsburg, MA
• Copper - Peak Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Granby, CT
• West Suffield Mountain, Metacomet Trail, Suffield, CT
• Merritts Hill, Williamsburg, MA

January's High Points:

• "Nick's Hill", West Suffield Mountain / Metacomet Ridge
• Bald Mountain, Shenipsit State Forest
• The Pinnacle, Shenipsit State Forest
• "Balanced Rock Hill",  Shenipsit State Forest
• "Bent Birch Hill", Shenipsit State Forest

I developed a troublesome right hamstring from Thursday's run, so I re-scheduled the long run planned for this weekend indefinitely.  I took a trip to Peaked Mountain in Monson, MA, to enjoy a location I had never visited before.

The Trustee's of Reservations (TTOR) do a great job at their properties.  The 3-mile loop I covered was in awesome shape, and was very scenic.  There are more trails at this location to explore, but I did what I could today.