Saturday, September 9, 2023
Miles: 27.95
Elevation gain/loss: 7894′
Start/End: Gould Rd/Glen Meadow
Total time: 9:03:03
Katie and I started out from Glen Meadow at 8:18am, after beginning out a few minutes earlier and totally taking the wrong trail. We reset and headed out through the bushes before quickly turning onto a wide gravel track. We took that up to Thunderbolt ski trail and ascended Greylock for the first time that way, taking the AT for the last bit to the summit. It was hot and very humid, varying from 75-90% humidity and topping out around 82 degrees actual with felt temperatures in the low 90s. I sweated heavily all day, drinking 6L and needing more.
We rapidly descended Bellows Pipe trail, stopping along the way for water filtering. Then it was along Notch Road for a moment before heading onto Bernard Farm trail and climbing up to the Appalachian Trail and Mt Williams. We followed the AT over to Mt Prospect lookout and then descended the AT to Money Brook trail. We went by the falls as required by the FKT route and stopped to filter water again. Then it was more wet rock descent to the Hopper and then began the Stony Ledge ascent via Haley Farm trail. I bonked pretty hard on the ascent, feeling dizzy and lightheaded in the humid heat. I recovered after slowing down on the ascent and sitting for a few minutes and eating more calories at the ledge. Then it was down Sperry Rd, through the campground under renovations (no potable water available), and up Hopper Trail to Overlook Trail, stopping for water filtering along the way for a 3rd time. We looped up to the Greylock summit again, and then started our long descent.
We went Overlook to Hopper to Sperry Rd again (on slightly different sections) and made it over to the CCC Dynamite trail. We followed it along Jones Nose and descended to the parking lot where we picked up Old Adams Road, which had been freshly graveled (so smooth!). We ran that over to Cheshire Harbor Trail (also freshly graveled) and then descended to the Glen by following the GPX track we had from past FKTs – there were so many possible footpaths to follow in this section (all of which paralleled each other), it was very difficult to choose the right one, though they’re all about the same.
After our run, we went for a dip in one of the Glen’s waterfalls – it was glorious to rinse off 9 hours of sweat and salt. All said and done, a very full and fun day. It was great to put a women’s and nonbinary time on the board!
Transcending Mountains 