Appalachian Trail-October Mountain State Forest(Berkshires)

Sometimes it's the nice and simple hikes that really hit the spot.  You know, the ones where there isn't some big splash at the end...no oooh's and aaah's.  Today's hike along the Appalachian Trail up on the Berkshire Plateau(elevation between 1930 and 2000 feet) in the October Mountain State Forest really fit that bill.  I parked at the trail crossing on Washington Mountain Road, where there is room for several cars. On this hot summer morning, there was only one other car when I arrived.

I headed south following the familiar white blazes, soon passing through the remains of a non-native Norway Spruce Plantation.  This was planted back in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps on abandoned farmland and is now undergoing man-made changes for the better.

 

 

The trail continues SE, passing through lovely fern glades and occasional wet areas accompanied by puncheon.

 

A short distance into the hike, I could see a large, sprawling wetland through the trees on my left.  I took an informal path down to the water's edge, where I spotted a large beaver dam sitting just a few feet away.

 

 

 

Back uphill away from the water, the trail circles around the wetland through a gorgeous mixed forest.

 

 

Just prior to arriving at gravel West Branch Road, the trail comes to the first of a couple nice clearings, offering up fantastic photo ops of the large wetland.  This place has the feeling of being more remote than it really is, and seems like the perfect spot to see a Moose.

 

 

Once across West Branch Road, the trail heads uphill into a mostly hardwood forest.  Just moments later, a sign addressing Lean To abuse issues is posted on a tree.  Such a shame.

 

 

 

About 7/10 of a mile beyond the road, I arrived at the shelter.  It's a small but tidy shelter with informal tent sites, a privy and water source all around.  Met this man(pictured below) at the shelter who had a fascinating story.   He had hiked over 1800 miles of the A.T. back in 1977, but then got injured and had to stop.  43 years later, now retired, he is continuing his quest to finish the rest of the trail.  What a great guy...and a great attitude!

 

 

The Lean To shelter itself, is quite nice, with 4 bunk beds inside.   I stayed and chatted for a bit, before turning back.

 

 Retraced my steps back north from the Lean To, enjoying the solitude of the woods.   A light breeze did its best to cool me off on this otherwise steamy summer day.

 

Hiked 4.4 miles RT, with only a couple hundred feet of ascent.  A pleasant little area, that flies far below the radar.