3-miles at the end of work.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
"High Points" along the trails I've visited during May, 2021...
- Sodom Mountain, Southwick-Granville, MA
- Saddle Ball Mountain, Mt Greylock Reservation, Appalachian Trail, Massashusetts
- Kitchen Brook Ravine Climb, Mt Greylock Reservation, Appalachian Trail, Massashusetts
- Drake Mountain, Southwick / Granville, Massachusetts
- Becket Mountain, Appalachian Trail, Massashusetts
- Walling Mountain, Appalachian Trail, Massashusetts
- Pine Mountain, Tunxis Trail, Connecticut
- Baldy Mountain, Appalachian Trail, Massashusetts
Monday, June 14, 2021
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Back to Shenipsit and the Bald Mountain Pond area to run with Wuzzam. This time, we were planning on 7 - 10 miles to see if his knees handle that ok.
We stuck to many of the soft, single track mountain-bike trails as much as possible. We did intersect the Blue Blazed Shenipsit Trail (which was really badly grown in with fern on the section we navigated) and stuck with that over Balanced Rock Hill.
From there, we headed toward The Pinnacle on opened-up motorcycle path. Climbed to the northern intersection of the Pinnacle at "Twin Birch", and rambled back south toward Bald Mountain.
By the finish, we had totaled 8.1-miles for the day.
Saturday, June 12, 2021
I returned to Granville to tie some tracks up from yesterday.
There is an abundance of trails, old roads, forest roads, right of ways and motorcycle path - and it will take some time to piece it together so I can understand (see it all in my head).
Absolutely beautiful morning, the light rain had finished and it was still very cool with dropping humidity.
I rambled on through the route I had hoped to, completing 9.6-miles with a second half at a speed of over 5-mph (great for me). Dozens of additional side-trails revealed themselves today, which will certainly increase my need to continue visiting this area.
Friday, June 11, 2021
Visited Granville to gain more understanding of the network of trails, old roads, forest roads and right of ways.
Did well to get back around to the car - the amount of trails are staggering, especially faint or obscure variations of trails (motorcycle routes).
I ended up losing my gps signal when my batteries died, luckily I had a replacement set in my pack.
It was then that I used the "Go To" function, which I have only relied on a handful of times, to get myself oriented and finally back to the parking area. All in all, very helpful day for understanding these woods. I got a great 7.1-miles on my legs.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Drove out to County Road in the Town of Washington to pick up the Appalachian Trail where I had last left off at this location, back on May 18th.
Rambled out to the brook at 5.6-miles or so, and returned to total up 11.55-miles.
Excellent temperatures, low to mid '70's for the duration. Only 43 miles from home. Other than the quick climb in each direction of Bald Top, much of this section is merely rolling. Great day.
This has been a Great Marathon Day in my History!
Two completed marathons on this day in my past!
In 2001, I completed my 25th marathon at Nipmuck, in 4:27:17.
This was a 35th place, and my 5th completed Nipmuck.
Then, on this day in 2012, Wuzzam, Tippi and I completed a Tunxis Marathon in 6:26:10.
This was my 47th Marathon, and Tippi's 16th.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Monday, June 7, 2021
A great marathon day in my history! Two throwbacks today...
On this day in 1998, I completed the my 4th Nipmuck marathon in 4:28:33, a 41st placement. This was my 20th finished marathon.
Also on this day, in 2009, I completed my 7th Nipmuck Marathon in 4:37:03 (a fantastic 19th place). This was my 42nd marathon overall.
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Saturday, June 5, 2021
To the Granville Reservoir area once again, to attempt to find some additional single-track and possibly explore some of the old forest roads.
All went well, except the heat and humidity were difficult. I did some actual walking on the steep sections, found my way to some pretty cool spots, made some connections and did find some single-track.
Finished with 7.2-miles and additional questions and thoughts regarding the network of trails in this area.
Friday, June 4, 2021
More exploring Sodom Mountain, this time late afternoon once work ended. Somehow, I avoided any rain, which was a blessing.
Explored some on the bottom, from the April 19th track for a bit. Hit the remnants of an old path that is still followable but a bit grown in, until I joined "good trail" that I had previously been on toward the top.
Once past the cell tower, I took an optional trail I hadn't tried before, and managed to get to the ravine crossing from April 19th once again. Tried to stay south, although at times it didn't seem it, but persisted and I actually arrived at the top of Sodom Mountain Road.
Ran down the road to Loomis, and seemed to fly back to the car on pavement, finishing with a surprising 8.1-miles.