Day 133-Scaling the Mount They Call Greylock

July 29-14.6 miles-Cheshire to Williamstown-AT mile 1595.4

We left the campsite earlier this morning because we needed to divert off the trail to get breakfast at the Dunkin Donuts in the convenience store. Prior to getting there, we didn’t know it was in the convenience store. I ended up getting some yogurt and juice instead. I also picked up breakfast for tomorrow, which has now become the day after tomorrow (I’ll explain in a moment).

AT through the cornfield to get to the road that went to the convenience store. 

We got back to the trail a little before 7:30. The trail climbed up through a couple of pastures/meadows. 

The tall one was where we were headed. 

Today was about climbing Mt. Greylock. From near where the above photo was taken, it was about 7 miles to the summit. 

It was good to be back to climbing a mountain. Although steep in a few spots, the climb was more gradual than what we’ve been doing. The trail was pretty good. 

Watch out! That rock might slide off!

Getting closer!

A small one room cabin on a small pond (might be my favorite photo of the day). 

We reached the summit of Mt. Greylock about 12:15, just in time for lunch at Bascom Lodge. 

The war memorial at the summit. 

Bascom Lodge 



I don’t know why I always seem to crave hotdogs???

Our original plan was to go another 4-ish miles to the next shelter, then go in and stay in Williamstown tomorrow to shower and do laundry. However, when we were ready to leave Mt. Greylock, it was only 1:00. The distance from the shelter to Williamstown was only 3 miles. We decided to go all the way to town. I figured my knees wouldn’t be so happy, but I was sure they would rather sleep in a bed. 

The view from the summit (the town of North Adams down below).

Flat Will and LB had an easy climb up Mt. Greylock. 

I was hoping the trail down would be all paved...it wasn’t. 

This is the Thunderbolt Shelter. It is not for overnight camping except in an emergency. It is used in the winter for skiers. 

Maybe Williamstown below. 

On our way down Mt. Greylock, we had to go up twice. Once to the summit of Mt. Williams, and to the Prospect Ledges. 

Summit sign

Wind turbines from the summit of Mt. Williams. 

The view from Prospect Ledges. 

It was 3 miles of downhill (some quite steep) to Rt 2 where we would go into Williamstown (or North Adams, but the only hotel was much more expensive). I called the Willows Motel to see about a room. They were full, but the guy who owns that one is friends with Rocky, who owns the Williamstown Motel. He agreed to shuttle us from the trailhead to Rocky’s motel, which was very nice because Rocky isn’t shuttling (even though AWOL says he does...it’s “The COVID”). Rocky is the most COVID-afraid person we have met. At first he said he wouldn’t do our laundry, but then he said he would if we really needed it. Yes, we really needed it! Oh, and he charged $12!!!! All because of the COVID, of course! There are also no blankets on the beds. We could get blankets if we needed them (we’ll just use our quilts).

Anyway, our clothes are clean, and we are clean. We went across the street to a market for some town dinner food and breakfast. We don’t really need to get a resupply, because we didn’t eat what we had (except a couple of snacks). 

There was a rain shower, and afterward, this. 

Goodnight and good rainbows from Williamstown, MA