Say Freeze! [New England Trail - Day 1]

Originally published on thetrek.co

On start day-eve, I managed a late night ride up to Royalston, MA. I planned to hike out 0.6 mi north to the Royalston Falls Shelter, spend the night, hike another 0.1 mi north to tag the terminus, and officially start my southbound hike of the New England Trail. Despite temperatures pushing 90° the entire week before my start date, I was blessed with a freeze warning two days out. My first few days would come with a high of 44-48°. Overnight temps I would see as low as 26°. This meant a couple last minute gear swaps/additions. I switched my accordion pad for an inflatable one, my beloved running shorts for tights, and
a pair of liner gloves to keep my hands from freezing as they so often do.Here we go again!The next morning, I struggled to get out of my quilt. Typically I’m alright as soon as I get moving, but it took a minute to remind myself; I chose this! Soon enough,
I was packed up and found my way to the NH/MA border.

Here we go again!

My first steps south started around 7:30 am with a long way to go that day. Rolling terrain with some gentle climbs welcomed me to the northwoods of MA. Dirt roads and sand dunes wound their way through the white-blazed trail – maintained by the Massachusetts AMC chapter, impeccably groomed and well-marked. I was cruising with a similar excitement I had at the beginning of my other two trails. A nip in the air kept me moving.

Eventually, I reached the long climb to Mt. Grace – the high point of the NET at a little over 1,600′. It was fairly well-graded and not too daunting, but a bit of a shock to the legs after the up-and-down hills. Nevertheless, I got to the fire tower quickly to snap some photos and keep moving. All downhill from here, right?

The next six or so miles, however, felt pretty magical. Old growth forest covered in moss towered overhead, their spindly counterparts billowing gently in the wind surrounding. Almost reminiscent of the Smokies in the early morning light on the AT.

Learning to move along.

Between the odd power line views and abandoned forest roads, suddenly I made it to the site of the Richardson-Zlogar cabin.
A little more than halfway done with the day around 2:00 pm. Although I was in a hurry, I took a few moments to enjoy the view and appreciate the site. It was obviously popular and well-loved. Back on down the trail I went, really pacing myself for the next ten or so miles.

Brush Mountain and Erving State Forests were rocky, mossy glens with ferns covering everything. With water abundant, I tried to remind myself to drink up especially in the cooler temps where you need electrolytes even more. Ten miles to go around 4:00 pm and soon enough, the type 2 fun kicked in. Off-and-on for the next three hours, I experienced spontaneous hail squalls. Try as I might to laugh it off, the sun was starting to lower and a decent road walk out of tree coverage meant I felt the brunt of it. From my experience on the AT, I learned I tend to hit a wall around mile 22 for the day. This trail would be a lesson in pushing through that threshold. 

Nearing nightfall.

Looking at the last bit of trail to tackle for the day.

Following some time on the road, a steep-ish climb leads to a short ridge that descends to where I planned to camp for the night. In the dissipating sunlight, I crested the ridgeline enjoying a few sunset views through the trees. At last, sore feet dragging, I saw the little lean-to in Wendell State Forest. Narrowly avoiding a nighttime skunk encounter (did y’all know they climb trees?), I greeted another individual staying at the site. We chatted for a bit about the other long-distance hiking trails
in New England and sections of the AT. He wished me luck on the long days ahead and I scarfed down some food before tucking in for the night. The next day would be especially tough, but I was feeling ready.

The Numbers:
Start Time: 7:23 AM
End Time: 8:17 PM
Distance: 32.3 mi
Ascent: 5825′
Descent: 5857′