Hiking friend Joe and I decided to hike the last 14 miles of Bay Circuit Trail north for his fund racing marathon training. We car spotted from Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich to northern terminus of the trail at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport. It was mostly road walking with some trails in the woods. But boy it was so beautiful especially on a sunny day like this.
This 2-day, 1 night trip is led by AMC Worcester Chapter, our leaders are Walt and Wendy, 7 participants including leaders. Very grateful to wander in mother mountain's arms and just relax. We entered from Lincoln Woods Trailhead, stayed at 13 Falls Tentsite, exited at Gale River Trailhead. Total milage is about 16 miles.
In the middle of May, Appalachian Trail MA section volunteers gathered at Father Tom's Campsite. I camped there the night before. That night I met "Trapz", a north bound AT hiker. She's very toll and strong, started her hike in Georgia in late February. We had a nice short conversation and said bye to each other the next morning. The event went on and we had a lot of pizza feeding volunteers and passing by AT hikers.
On June 3rd, I stayed at the Notch Hostel, as usual, ready for a hike the next day. In the bunk room, a tall girl asked, "Are you from Massachusetts?" What the......! Trapz! This was insane. I couldn't believe it. Of course we chatted a little more, then decided that we may hike together on her final day on AT, summiting Mt. Katahdin. Oh her hiking buddy Patty, who didn't stay at the hostel, was one of those who enjoyed pizza at the volunteer event. Been trying to winter hike earlier this year. Didn't make it. Scared like a new born chicken. Hopefully it would happen this winter. But, summer is here. Time to throw myself into the embracement of the White Mountains if she's willing to take me in.
The Appalachian Trail Massachusetts Committee gathered most of the AT volunteers on this warm day to summarize the work done last year and discuss the trail work to be finished this year. It was held at Father Tom Campsite in Cheshire, MA. Volunteers were then divided into 4 discussion groups: trail work, boundary maintenance, natural resource monitoring, and cabin maintenance. It was such a good time around kind people. Father Tom Campsite was finished in 2019 for AT hikers. The trail goes right through town of Cheshire. There are also free bikes for hikers to go to get resupplies. What a wonderful place to hangout. Gratitude to all volunteers and leaders. AT-MA committee Leaders and volunteers. Picture from Cheshire Appalachian Trail Committee.
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