This 52.2-mile section of the NOBO LASH covers all of the AT in Connecticut, which spans between Hoyt Rd at the NY/CT boarder and the CT/MA border which is .5 miles north of Bear Mountain.
Number of days to complete this section of the AT: A slow, relaxed, and enjoyable 6 days!
Weather conditions: Some sun, some clouds, some wind, seasonable temps, and NO rain
Number of Shelters: 7
Number of Shelters visited: 6 (due to lack of time, and location of Limestone Shelter being .5 miles off trail down a steep descent)
Number of people encountered on the trail: Too many to count – day hikers, section hikers, thru-hikers.
There is so much beauty in Connecticut – from rivers and streams to panoramic vistas off some of the highest peaks, and everything in between. Various wildflowers, fungi, reptiles, amphibians, and interesting glacial erratics were all seen. On one particular day, hundreds of millipedes were seen all along the trail; it took quite an effort to not step on any of them!
The highest peak on the AT in Connecticut is Bear Mountain. There is a weather beaten stone marker which is no longer legible at the peak of Bear Mountain.
When it was legible, it said, “This Monument Marks The Highest Ground In Connecticut | 2354 Feet Above The Sea | Built A.D 1885 | Owen Travis | Mason”
Giant’s Thumb is an interesting glacial erratic on the AT at the top of Raccoon Hill in CT.
To get the full flavor of the AT in Connecticut, please visit the Connecticut Gallery!