Wuzzam and I planned to recreate our Hampden to Somers run over nine-peaks, accomplished last June 23rd. This was K. Simons route for the old "Lost in Hampden" adventures, from 1999 and 2000 era.
The morning was absolutely awesome, in the low 30's with a nice, bright, warm sun. For most of the run we didn't even need gloves.
It's an idea to refer to this run as "9-Peaks", as we climbed at least to that number, as follows:
- Hampden Overlook
- Goat Rock
- Minnechoag
- 880
- Pine
- Rattlesnake
- Perkins
- Pinnacle
- Bald
We made it through feeling pretty good. Not only does this run cover a decent distance (today's route equaled 12.1-miles) and include numerous climbing, but there is also the added incentive of finding your way on very old, obscure, and unmarked trails. That's the thing for me, connecting together routes so they make some sense in the larger picture (or at least get us where we want to be).
At the end, the Old Goat himself came charging down the trail to meet us just moments after we had finished... he went out along the new Shenipsit Trail to try to meet us on our way in. All in all, an awesome day and adventure.
Sign at Hampden Memorial Park, the Start
View off Hampden Overlook
View off Hampden Overlook
View off Hampden Overlook
Wuzzam at Goat Rock
Climbing Minnichoag
880 with Pine in the distance
Looking east off 880
Looking east off Pine
Climbing Pine
At Rattlesnake
Top of Perkins at Camp Ayapo
High Stonewall north of Pinnacle
The Pinnacle
The top of Bald Mountain
Stream nearing the finish
