August 28th, 2018, Massachusetts
On my way today I saw hundreds of tiny toads—one at a time here and there. I started seeing them a day or two ago but they are in full force now. When you get close to them they start hopping madly to get away so avoiding them was part of the hike today.
I camped just outside of town on the way up Greylock Mountain. Greylock is the tallest peak in Massachusetts and is apparently popular with visitors and hikers. Being a Tuesday and with very warm weather expected, I didn’t see many people on the way up.
The top was built up with a 1930s era war memorial and observation tower, parking areas, and a lodge with small cafe. I stopped at the lodge for water and to eat lunch at the picnic tables nearby. The young lady at the cafe register told me she had already hiked most of the trails around here and was thinking about hiking a long trail next year: either the Pacific Crest or the Continental Divide Trail.
On my way down from the mountain I ran into a few more hikers, including a few NOBOs who seem to be getting more infrequent. I think, with Baxter State Park closing around mid October, it’s only a handful of late northbound hikers remaining south of me.
The trail passed a number of narrow views and lovely meadows and farm fields. For the first time the trail passed through an active field—with corn growing.
And here are a few more nice wildflowers I saw on trail today.
