Back in Mass - Miles 1,498 to 1,588

We crossed the border into MA on July 14th. We were very excited to be back in Mass. We immediately hit 3 mountains in western MA, which all had nice views. The weather got cooler and less humid, which helped improve hiking conditions a lot. We crossed the Mass turnpike on July 17th, which was exciting because of the number of times we drove under the trail overpass on the highway, and thought about the day we would cross over it on the AT. That day finally came!

 View from Lions Head - still in CT

 Highest point in CT

Lions head viewpoint

 Crossing from CT to MA

View from Mt Racer, MA

Mt Everett, western Mass

 Swampy, buggy section of trail in Mass

Stopping to swim in Benedict Pond in Beartown State Forest, near Great Barrington, MA

 Upper Goose Pond

 We spent an afternoon at Upper Goose Pond, swimming and paddling the canoe. The AMC has a cabin here where thru-hikers can stay for free.

The AMC cabin at Upper Goose Pond. We got a pancake breakfast in the morning. Downside: people snoring in the bunkroom kept us up all night.

 The AT crosses over the Mass turnpike

We are excited to be on the trail, rather than driving by underneath it.

Y-Knot and Moses at the 'cookie lady's' house. She gives cookies and drinks to thru-hikers. We also picked blueberries here.

Clintonia (Yellow corn lily or 'Blue bead')