Jug End via Appalachian Trail (Jug End State Reservation)
Distance: 1.64 miles
Elevation: 633 feet
Higher up, there was another tricky spot that I was able to slowly avoid. The rain slightly lit up for a bit and I took the jacket off to cool down. Soon enough, I came to an open ledge that had what I'm sure is a beautiful view, but I just had the pleasure of looking into a cloud! The true summit of the knob was just off-trail but easy to find. I could have continued down the AT for another mile or so to another peak, but it was back to raining so I figured I wouldn't push it. I could just barely make out a nearby ridge on my way down, and the jacket was soon on again as I got chilly quickly (I was fine once it was back on, thankfully).
Elevation: 633 feet
Time: 0 hours, 54 minutes
Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Hiking Challenges: N/A
Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Hiking Challenges: N/A
The Hike
So, skiing was a bummer, but surely the weather will lighten up for a short hike! I found a hike ~10 minutes from Catamount along the Appalachian Trail to "Jug End" that was just over a mile and a half long - a perfect, easy ramble! I got to the trailhead (pull-off on Jug End Road) and saw there's only about 10 more minutes of rain left, so I broke out my pack cover for the first time ever and dug out my Frogg Toggs that I bought for my Mt. Cabot hike. I haven't used the jacket since that hike in late June, and it smelled BAD. But I still threw it on because going rain jacket-less in 40 degrees seemed like a very poor idea. My camera came in my pack for a ride, and I was off!
The woods were peaceful with the pitter-patter of the rain and there was no snow down low, which was welcomed. I passed a tree with very wet, very red bark, and heard gunshots in the distance. Curious if it was a range, a private home, or a hunter? Thankfully I was very visible, so I did not get hunted!
There was some ice at a switchback and then the trail began to climb more moderately with some sketchy footing. I was SWEATING under the jacket, but my own moisture was better than cold rain. The trail continued to zigzag and easy to moderate grades and came to one switchback with some intense ice. I was able to avoid it by going off-trail, but I would not have been able to get across it without spikes.
The return trip was slow, steady, and easy. I was glad I didn't wait in my car any longer but this rain was not giving up, which was a bummer, but did validate my choice to stop skiing for the day. Before I knew it was descending down to Jug End Road and it was time to change into dry clothes and wait a comically long time for some breakfast at the Great Barrington Dunkin! And just like that, this concludes the 2024 year of hiking!
Step-By-Step
- Park at Appalachian Trail crossing on Jug End road.
- Hike out-and-back on AT soutbound.
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