Al Robbins' (Free Spirit)

FALL '99 Appalachian Trail (AT) hike

Appalachian Trail Journal Part 2

Dates ........ MON SEPT 13, 1999
Miles ........ 6.3 miles
From ........ MA Rt. 20 at the Mass Pike (Lee MA)
To ............. TENT IN hemlock WOODS near Knee Deep Pond
Weather ... 70's, sunny, warm.


MON SEPT 13, 1999

Our brief but decadently pleasant stay in the Oceanside at Hampton Beach New Hampshire was over. John was on his way home, I was beginning my second AT hike of the year. It was a beautiful day to head into the woods. A moderate climb greeted me as soon as I crossed the hiker's overpass at the Massachusetts Turnpike. Many times I have driven under that and wanted to be on the trail. Well, here I was.

The soft loamy dirt of the trail, with only a few rocks scattered here and there, was a significant departure from Pennsylvania's almost endless rocks. Upper goose Pond was beautiful. It was clear, pristine and inviting as the trail passed its northern shoreline. I came across some large, brilliant orange fungi and photographed them. I do not recall ever seeing anything like them before.

I set a goal of 6 miles minimum on this first short day of hiking; and found an ideal spot to set up camp along the inlet to Knee Deep pond. I filtered water from the stream, cooked dinner, set up my tent and settled in for my first night on the trail.

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Spring/Fall hikes - 15miles/day - Contact Al. aljohn@jmclum.com.
Last Updated 5/4/2000