Miles: 4.3
Time: 3 hours 6 minutes
Elevation gain: 1403 feet
Parking:
Route 7, just north of the intersection with Route 112 (Lime Rock Road). There is room for around 10 cars in a parking lot off the road. The parking lot was plowed!
Rest rooms: none
Hike directions:
From parking area, head towards field (not on the road). Walk briefly northbound, then start a clockwise loop around a field before heading southbound. Cross Route 7 at the end of the field. Continue along the AT passing Belter's Bump (there is a sign on a tree), Belter's Campsite (again a sign), a stream (sign for water) just past the campsite, and then head up Sharon Mountain. There is a ridge walk with some views. Our map shows Sharon Mountain has two 1,370 foot peaks. We made it to the first one. We had a late start, and didn't have time to get to the second one.
Map: Appalachian Trail Guide to Massachusetts Connecticut or Connecticut Walk Book West
Hike description: The beginning of the hike had deep snow and the trail was only partially broken. We used snowshoes, but we sank a lot in the melting snow. The dogs had a difficult time too. After crossing Route 7, the snow on the trail was much more packed down by others using snowshoes. But, it was still slushy snow so tiring. Once we got close to the summit, all of a sudden we came across completely unbroken trail. It became exhausting. I led the way, and every step I would sink 8" down. The dogs were ahead of me, and had a terrible time with the snow. We had to turn around when just past where the trail passed Sharon Mountain Road (can't be seen from the trail, but we saw on our map).
Year to date miles: 62
 |
| Our original plan was to hike another portion of the AT, but we couldn't find a place to park. This parking area was plowed & large! |
 |
| Looking back at the field we passed. |
 |
| View from Belter's Bump |
 |
| Campground - no sign of recent visitors |
 |
| Unbroken trail. Exhausting for the dogs too, because they couldn't stay on top of the deep snow. |
 |
| Heading up to the second peak of Sharon Mountain. Became too exhausted, and it was time to turn around. |
 |
| On the way back.....we passed what looks like a woods road, but this wasn't on our map. |
 |
| View, not the summit though |
 |
| It was easier to just hike single file, even for the dogs. |
No comments:
Post a Comment