Plans for a lengthy run with K2 were dead-ended by a call into work early morning.
Spent five-hours working through some bugs. Hopefully, we are in an upward trend.
Walked Lily once in the evening for 1-Mile.
Furniture delivery in the morning, a 4.3-mile run in Granville mid-day, and a wrap up of several hours at work from mid-afternoon onward.
Issues at work have been very time-consuming especially the last two weeks (I worked the equivalent of three full weeks during the past two actual).
Walked Lily once in the evening for 1-Mile.
Despite being called out to work from 10 p.m. until after 1 a.m., and not getting much sleep, I planned on today being the day I would complete the remaining 1.3-Miles of Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts.
Topping it all off, it was going to be very hot.
I had a route in mind, taking the Pine Cobble Trail in Williamstown up to my meeting point from my last effort on East Mountain, and then continue along to the Vermont Border.
Once in North Adams, I drove River Street until it became Massachusetts Avenue in Blackington, and then North Hoosac Road once into Williamstown. Just a tenth or so up Pine Cobble Road and I was at the small parking lot, elevation ~630'.
The Pine Cobble Trail is really in fantastic shape all the way to Pine Cobble Lookout. Much trail-work has been done through this section. Took the brief extension to the lookout, and then continued on to the Vermont Border, finally reaching my destination in about 3.7-Miles at ~2280' elevation.
On the return, I took the Class of '98 Trail to avoid some of the "cobbles", and it was very good with but a brief section of small boulders to sort through, maybe 5-minutes of time. The upper section could use a bit of bench cutting but the lowest section was fantastic.
Completed the day's section at 7.5-Miles, and with it I can say I have completed all the Appalachian Trail in both Connecticut and Massachusetts. I began this journey in 2019, so it took me over the course of four seasons. The distances had to be doubled, as I did all of this on my own, with one car, forcing out-and-back adventures.
Once back home, I did walk Lily for 1-Mile in the evening.
Walk Lily late evening for 1-mile.
Old News Department... on this day in 2008, I completed the Hallockville Pond - Mt Institute Marathon with Wuzzam and Tippi. The 25+ miles were completed in 5:29:07, and we ended the day with a dip in Hallockville Pond. This was my 38th completed marathon, and Tippi's 12th.
DL and I drove to Adams to see my folks. Was a great visit.
Stopped at the cemetery to work on the flowers at DL's parents grave.
Visited briefly with Uncle T.
Great meal at the Williamsburg Snack Bar on the way home.
Walked Lily once in the late evening for 1-mile.
Back to work on that last 7+ miles of Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts.
Back to the earliest portion of my life today, in the villages of Greylock and Blackington, North Adams.
Parked on Pattison Road (elevation ~990'), just north of the Mt Williams Reservoir, which would be in the middle of my run, more or less.
Initially I would head south, climbing up to the intersection of the Mount Prospect Trail (elevation ~2400') and then down to Wilbur's Clearing. This was a decent start to the day, with a climb in the vicinity of 1400'. Then I had to travel back down to my parking spot, completing that section right at 5-miles total.
The drop from Pattison Road into the town's of Greylock and Blackington (elevation 660') was more than I anticipated. I knew I'd have to remember this and save some in the tank for the finish climb back out from the Hoosic River.
Back in the woods off Massachusetts Avenue (elevation 660'), I climbed through Clarksburg State Forest. Slow going, but very beautiful along Sherman Brook. I was surprised how much water was flowing.
Finally got to the junction of Pine Cobble Trail (elevation 1980'), and despite only 1.3-miles to the Vermont Line, I decided to turn it around here. Couple of things assisted my decision:
I made it back down without taking a fall, which is always a bonus. The road portion from Mass Ave to the end of Phelps Road was directly in the sun and very hot. The end climb to the parking at the reservoir was as hard as I anticipated.
Finished with 12.5-miles, with the opening 5 and a good 7.5-miles for the second-half.
Once back home, I took Lily for a 1-mile walk late at night.