NERO TO GREAT BARRINGTON

AT Day 089: Wednesday July 5, 2023

Mile 1521 + 8 miles/ 12.9 km

Total Distance Hiked: 1529 miles/2460 km

Glen Brook Shelter – Quality Inn, Great Barrington

A: 643 ft /196 m  D: 1896 ft /578 m

Sunshine and Mountain Laurel as far as we could see along the trail and birds chirping made for an excellent start to our hiking day.  Early part of the hike we were on the edge of Mount Bushnell with fabulous views, often screened by trees, of a fog filled valley to our right.  It was magical to see blue sky and sunshine.  It felt like ages since we’ve hiked in such beautiful conditions and of course Mountain Laurel in full bloom –  it felt surreal. 

The rocky descent of the north end of Mount Bushell is known as Jug End. It was  challenging in a few sections because it had long sections of rocky slabs that were very steep. We took it slow and easy. Grateful that we could do it in dry weather. It would be far, far more challenging in the wet.

It was a relief to get the Jug End descent out of the way. After that we had a lovely meander through the woods followed by a walk through a pasture which got our feet wet and then into a very dark pine forest full of mosquitoes. The mosquitos were some kind of super stealthy fast feeders. I reckon I lost a liter of blood in that mile, mile and a half section of pine forest. Hammer said he was left alone, probably because the swarm was getting an easy feed off me. 

We made it to Route 7 around 9.45 and within 15 minutes got a ride into Great Barrington with Annie. We were amazed that she stopped because she said ‘hop in quick.  I’m running late for a chiropractor appointment.’ The town is only 3 miles west of the trail so we didn’t get a chance to talk for long.  She dropped us off at the motel and sped off. The motel clerk was super friendly and checked us in early He offered us the breakfast buffet which was greatly appreciated. 

The rest of the day was spent with the usual town chores. Great Barrington sounds like a destination town for cultural events and holiday houses for wealthy New Yorkers.