Day 106: Trail Magic and a Well-Deserved Break
Today was a day of trail magic and a much-needed break. After 16 days of relentless hiking, averaging over 21 miles per day, we were all exhausted. The plan was to start early, but we kept hitting snooze, rolling over, and drifting back to sleep. By 8:30 am, we finally got our act together and hit the trail, but it was 9:45 am before we left camp. The fatigue was real, and it showed.
I opted to hike in my sleeping clothes, a practical choice given the humidity and the fact that my hiking gear was still soaking wet from the previous night. The trail began with a flat mile, followed by a 600-foot climb over 0.8 miles. It wasn't too bad, but the terrain was rocky. Around this point, I got reception and a message from my friend Becca, who was just a few miles away with trail magic! I kicked it into gear and reached the road crossing, where Becca, Birdie, and a few others were waiting.
Becca had prepared a feast: iced coffee, cold pop, cookies, grapes, and French toast! I indulged in some much-needed provisions and sat in the shade for an hour, enjoying the treats. After a quick chat, we hit the trail again, but this time, Becca offered to hold on to some of our gear, essentially slack packing us for the day. It was a welcome change of pace.
The afternoon hike was a breeze, with only 10 miles to go before we were picked up and taken to Lee, MA, for a hotel stay. We hadn't showered or done laundry in a week, and the hotel was a godsend. It was also a morale boost, especially with Shooter's birthday the next day. Hiking around Upper Goose Pond was a highlight, with the clear, cool water tempting us to take a dip. We had to resist, though, as we had plans for the evening.
After crossing a highway on a pedestrian bridge and climbing Beckett Mountain, we descended into the parking lot where Becca was waiting with cold beverages and ice cream. We hopped in the car and headed to the hotel, where we showered, did laundry, and headed to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Chips, salsa, queso, and a celebratory margarita were just what we needed. Back at the hotel, we watched a World Cup game and hung out before heading to bed.
It was a great evening, and I was glad to be in the AC, with clean clothes, and in a real bed. Day 106 was a day of trail magic, a much-needed break, and a chance to recharge before the next leg of our journey. It's these moments of respite that make the tough days bearable.
Stats:
- 14.8 miles
- 3,097' ascent, 2,228' descent
- Stealth Site to County Road
- 0 DSLC
- Times stove used: 14
- Snakes seen: 28
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