Virginia Outdoor Adventures | backpack, hike, paddle & more

MASSACHUSETTS AT Section Hike ~79 miles Southbound (SOBO)
At-a-glance Itinerary [ Day / To / Miles ]
Day 1, Mon / Wilbur Clearing Shelter / 10.2mi
Day 2, Tue / Cheshire / 11.8
Day 3, Wed / Kay Wood Shelter / 11.7
Day 4, Thu / Upper Goose Pond Cabin / 18.2
Day 5, Fri / South Mt Wilcox Shelters / 16.4
Day 6, Sat / Rt. 7, GB / 11.8

Oct 12th - 19th, 2025 including 2 days for travel time.
🤞Peak Fall Foliage🤞
County Rd (Vermont) @ SOBO AT mile 591.7 to Great Barrington, MA @ SOBO AT mile 670.5 with help from a shuttle service we will coordinate as a group. We pass through a few towns on shorter mileage days for re-supply opportunities and touring, etc. We hope you join us!

Current proposed itinerary (Updated: 10/6 PM / prior updates: 10/5, 10/4, 10/3, 10/2, 9/23, 9/22, 9/21 & 8/5)

Total AT SOBO Miles: ~79
Total Route Ascent: ~14,669’
Total Route Descent: ~16,309’

Day 0 | Date: 10/12 | Travel day
Park & hospitality services: Berkshire South Regional Community Center (BSRCC / T: 413.528.2810) offers free outside camping ("4 tent platforms beyond the treeline"; go to front desk), week long parking at special request at the front desk, $8/day pass gets you access to inside facility for bathroom, showers, etc, during working hours (S-S 7am-5pm / M-F 6am-8:30pm). Stay overnight outside is OK even if arrive after closing (see front desk next AM)

Day: 1 | Date: Mon, 10/13 | Williamstown & North Adams, MA | shorter mileage to allow time in town(s) during the day
● Meet by 8AM for shuttle, or earlier for breakfast perhaps (TBD) / Hank's shuttle service (T: 423.732.0450) / Hank will have his vehicle plus a 2nd he's coordinating / $240 total (before tip) divided evenly per person
● 8AM shuttle in 2 vehicles for ~1 hour 22 minutes from BSRCC to “County Road” start point below
■ Total AT Mileage: 10.2
■ Start: County Road @ SOBO AT mile 591.7
■ On the way: Williamstown & North Adams, MA 7.2 miles in @ 598.9
■ End: Wilbur Clearing Shelter @ SOBO AT mile 601.9 near Money Brook Falls | Elevation: 2197’
■ Total ascent: 2533'
■ Total descent: 2638'
· Water: stream ~50 yards from shelter
· Privy: yes
· Shelter: older lean-to with “space for 6-7”
· Tent sites: “several”
· Trees for hammocks:
· Bear protection: bear box

Day: 2 | Date: Tue, 10/14 | Cheshire, MA & “in-town” camping area day | shorter mileage to allow time in town
■ Total AT Mileage: 11.8
■ Start: Wilbur Clearing Shelter
■ On the way: Mark Noepel Shelter @ SOBO mile 608.5
■ End: Father Tom Campsite, Cheshire, MA @ SOBO AT mile 613.5 across the street from Diane’s Twist | Elevation: 974’ ***OR*** one of the hotels or B&Bs in Cheshire of your choosing
■ Total ascent: 2021'
■ Total descent: 3261'
· Water: water spicket
· Privy: Port-a-potty
· Shelter: No
· Tent sites: 12
· Trees for hammocks: yes, per more than 1 comment on FarOut
· Bear protection: comments say there is a bear box
· Notes: anyone that stays at Father Tom’s Campsite vs a hotel or B&B must do so of their own choosing as an individual hiker since groups are not allowed; “electricity available”; sponsored by the Cheshire Community Association; comments say you can borrow a free bike to go into town

Day: 3 | Date: Wed, 10/15 | Dalton, MA Day & shorter mileage to allow time in town in the AM
■ Total AT Mileage: 11.7
■ Start: Father Tom Campsite, Cheshire, MA
■ On the way: Crystal Mtn Campsite @ SOBO AT mile 617.5 | Dalton, MA & the Housatonic River @ SOBO AT mile 622.2 | Per Pam: "I texted trail angels in Dalton. They are not available but said the Dalton CRA in Main St gives free showers to hikers."
■ End: Kay Wood Shelter @ SOBO AT mile 625.2 | Elevation: 1138’
■ Total ascent: 2743'
■ Total descent: 1932'
· Water: Barton Brook “50 yards steeply downhill” but one commenter wrote it's not as steep as described
· Privy: yes
· Shelter: bunk-&-loft style shelter “for ~10”
· Tent sites: one commenter wrote “excellent tent sites”
· Trees for hammocks: appears yes
· Bear protection: bear box
· Notes: .2 off trail; “close to road with noise overnight”

Day: 4 | Date: Thu, 10/16 | The Cookie Lady Day the longest day
■ Total AT Mileage: 18.2
■ Start: Kay Wood Shelter
■ On the way: The Cookie Lady @ SOBO mile 631.8. | October Mtn Shelter @ SOBO mile 634
■ End: Updated 10/4: (Option #2 at SOBO mile 642.8 seems more likely)
Option #1-of-2 (or more): Was previously going to be Berkshire Lakeside Lodge @ SOBO mile 641.2 but 9/20 message from them was as pasted below, so looking at alternatives (there are a few+). "I am not able to fulfill your request after all. Perhaps a motel in Lee will suffice? On our website on the AT page, I have a list of trail angel drivers that can pick you up at the kiosk on Rt. 20 (where the trail crosses the road) and take you into Lee. They will also bring you back to the trailhead the next day. There is a Quality Inn (free breakfast/washer and dryer on site and close to lots of restaurants and a grocery store to resupply if needed)...I recommend it; it's worth the $."
Option #2-of-2 (or more): Upper Goose Pond Cabin @ AT SOBO mile 642.8, elevation 1527'. Note the cabin itself is closed due to the government shutdown & is highly unlikely to re-open until 2026. From FarOut: "A side trail leads 0.5 miles to Upper Goose Pond Cabin, an NPS-owned enclosed cabin maintained and managed by Massachusetts A.T. volunteers for use by A.T. hikers of all kinds. 16 cabin bunks and 10-12 adjacent tentsites/tent platforms are available on a first come--first served basis. Volunteer Caretakers are at the Cabin when it is open--generally mid-May to mid-October. Tent sites and cabin porch are available year round. Please keep dogs on leash.
Please check in with the Caretaker when arriving and follow the posted rules. The area can be busy on weekends and in peak season (early July to mid August). Plan to arrive by early afternoon during those times for the widest choices of bunk/tent space.
The Cabin area provides pond access for swimming, as well as untreated drinking water, bear boxes, and two moldering privies. Campfires are prohibited, except in the fire pit just behind the Cabin, with permission from the Caretaker."
■ Total ascent: 2552'
■ Total descent: 2800'

Day: 5 | Date: Fri, 10/17 | The 2nd longest day with options (see below)
■ Total AT Mileage: 16.4
■ Start: Near Upper Goose Pond Cabin (mi. 642.8); see day 4 above
■ On the way: AT Stand offering snacks, electricity, & WIFI @ SOBO mile 650.9 | Shaker Campsite with privy at SOBO mile 652.9 | North Mt Wilcox Shelter @ SOBO mile 657; elevation: 1952’; water: brook in front of shelter; privy: yes; shelter: “large lean-to with space for 8”; tent sites: “several”, “plenty”; no bear protection mentioned: .3 off trail
■ End: South Mount Wilcox Shelters @ SOBO mile 658.7 | Elevation: 1791’
■ Total ascent: 3287'
■ Total descent: 3025'
· Water: spring or just SOBO on AT
· Privy: yes
· Shelter: 2: 1 old, 1 new – space for at least 10
· Tent sites: 5 tent pads
· Trees for hammocks: appears yes
· Bear protection: bear box
· Notes: .1 off trail

Day: 6 | Date: Sat, 10/18 | Last hiking day & shortened in case some want to start traveling home on 10/18
■ Total AT Mileage: 11.8
■ Start: South Mount Wilcox Shelters
■ On the way: Ice Gulch at SOBO mile 663.9 | Tom Leonard Shelter @ SOBO mile 664.1 | Ledges @ SOBO mile 666.6
■ End: Great Barrington, MA / US Route 7 @ SOBO mile 670.5 @ Google Maps “Appalachian trail and US 7 Massachusetts” & either walk👎 (5 miles road walk 👎) or 1st hikers to finish shuttle to cars followed by helpful assist to get everyone back to cars at BSRCC
■ Total AT ascent: 1995'
■ Total AT descent: 2917'

Trip notes:
● 10/4 Gear notes:
○ bring something to scoop water from low-sitting sources (it's apparently been dry this season)
○ ...related, I'm bringing 4 liters of water carrying capacity just in case (although I usually bring this anyway because I use a lot of water at camp & don't like to go back and forth between the water source)
○ it looks like it will be "gloves weather" for at least some of the mornings
● Hike 6 days: Sun-Sat, 10/12-10/18 | Travel back home Oct. 18th or 19th depending on your preference
● Personal vehicles are currently planned to be left near our intended finish point, BSRCC, Great Barrington. Chris & Pam will coordinate shuttle cost ($240 total before tip), re-supply cost (if a re-supply is preferred) + tip split evenly among all hikers.
● 13⅓ average hiking miles per day. Longest day is 17.5 miles. Average ascent = 2445' per day. Largest total single day ascent is 3632' on our longest day (Day 5)
● Re-supply?: no, but individuals can make the own arrangements if not coordinated as a group, of course
● General intention is to sleep at relatively established areas each evening large enough for a group of perhaps 10 or less except Day 2; unofficial &/or “stealth” sites will likely be an option each day as well for hikers, plus hammock users will not need tent-sites, of course.
● All are at their own risk and are expected to be aware of their own capabilities for a section hike like this one. Make sure you know all of your gear, navigation, food needs, etc, and provide for yourself accordingly.
● We will need to connect with new faces to make sure they have had prior experience a section hike like this requires and is comfortable with the itinerary, etc.
● Please let us know if you have any questions.

This is the FINAL of 7 section hikes through the SNP. We start from Wildcat Ridge Parking(MP 92.1) to Calf Mtn Shelter to Rockfish Gap. Everyone is responsible for obtaining their own overnight backcountry permit.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/shannies-7-6b05030?u=i&sh=mkn9ym

Everyone is responsible for obtaining their own overnight backcountry permit. Link:

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675336

This is not beginner friendly- you must be able to navigate to and from the shelter- as we hike or own paces and do not stay together.

We will meet at Rockfish Gap (above King's Gourmet Popcorn) then self shuttle to the starting point, so be prompt!

📚 Book Club Meetup – Book #18 📚

Get ready for our next great read and lively discussion!
📖 Book: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
📅 Date: Tuesday, November 11th
🕕 Time: 6:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Bell Greek Restaurant
11400 Iron Bridge Rd, Chesterfield, VA

Join us for delicious food, good company, and an unforgettable conversation about Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air — the gripping true story of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. It’s a powerful blend of adventure, survival, and human resilience that’s sure to spark plenty of discussion!
Come hungry and ready to dive deep into the book (and maybe a plate of spanakopita 🥙).
Please RSVP so we can save enough seats!