A Lion Still Has Claws
Hike #136
Appalachian Trail
Route 41 to Riga Junction (Salisbury, CT)
Hike Distance: 10.4 Miles
Section Distance (Per CFPA Walk Book): 5.1 Miles
Date Hiked: 5/24/2015
Date Published: 5/25/2015
Hike #136
Appalachian Trail
Route 41 to Riga Junction (Salisbury, CT)
Hike Distance: 10.4 Miles
Section Distance (Per CFPA Walk Book): 5.1 Miles
Date Hiked: 5/24/2015
Date Published: 5/25/2015
On
my previous AT hike, I made my way southbound from Route 41 to Rand’s View
before heading back to my car. For this
hike, I again parked at the Route 41 parking location. But, this time I was headed northbound…up and
over Lion’s Head…to Riga Junction.
To reach the parking location from Hartford:
Follow Route 44 West through Avon, Canton, Winchester, and Norfolk. Approximately 7 miles after crossing over Route 7 in North Canaan, turn right on Route 41. The parking area is on the left in about 0.8 mile.
From the parking location, I set out heading due west. Here, the trail climbs gradually, turns to the northwest, and passes what the Walk Book calls Plateau Campsite. I saw a sign for water and a blue-blazed side trail. But, on my way back, while attempting to explore each of the campsites within this section, I was unable to find anything. The side trail seemingly dead-ends.
There wasn’t a lot to see in the first couple of miles of this hike. The trail here is still exciting, it just kind of does that AT thing where the trail seems to go on and on for miles with nothing about which to get overly excited.
Roughly 2.1 miles in, after climbing a couple of sets of man-made rock staircases, the trail makes a hard right turn. There is a blue-blazed side trail here (on the left), which I later found out leads to Bunker Hill Road and alternative parking.
Approximately 2.3 miles in, the trail makes another hard right turn and I reached a second blue-blazed side trail (straight)…
To reach the parking location from Hartford:
Follow Route 44 West through Avon, Canton, Winchester, and Norfolk. Approximately 7 miles after crossing over Route 7 in North Canaan, turn right on Route 41. The parking area is on the left in about 0.8 mile.
From the parking location, I set out heading due west. Here, the trail climbs gradually, turns to the northwest, and passes what the Walk Book calls Plateau Campsite. I saw a sign for water and a blue-blazed side trail. But, on my way back, while attempting to explore each of the campsites within this section, I was unable to find anything. The side trail seemingly dead-ends.
There wasn’t a lot to see in the first couple of miles of this hike. The trail here is still exciting, it just kind of does that AT thing where the trail seems to go on and on for miles with nothing about which to get overly excited.
Roughly 2.1 miles in, after climbing a couple of sets of man-made rock staircases, the trail makes a hard right turn. There is a blue-blazed side trail here (on the left), which I later found out leads to Bunker Hill Road and alternative parking.
Approximately 2.3 miles in, the trail makes another hard right turn and I reached a second blue-blazed side trail (straight)…
I
followed the AT to the right and climbed a short but steep and rocky section to
the summit of Lion’s Head (elevation: 1738)…
As
you can see from the pictures above and at the top of this recap, there are
some great views to the east and south from Lion’s Head. I took a moment to enjoy them before
continuing northbound. A short-distance
down the trail, I passed another blue-blazed side trail and assumed this must
be a bypass trail. Later, on the way
back to the car, I confirmed this is a bypass trail. Unless you are hiking in extreme weather
(i.e. lightning), I strongly suggest ignoring this bypass trail. The last section of the AT up to Lion’s Head
is rocky and very steep, but it is a very short climb and the views are worth
the additional effort.
Shortly after passing the northern terminus of the bypass trail, I reached another overlook. This time with views to the west and north…
Shortly after passing the northern terminus of the bypass trail, I reached another overlook. This time with views to the west and north…
That’s
Bear Mountain, the last peak along the AT in CT, in the center of that photo. It was still more than three miles from where
I was standing, but a lot closer than the last time I saw it over on Rand’s
View.
After I snapped that photo, a southbound hiker made his way up the trail to me and told me he’d earlier seen a bear near Bear Mountain. I wasn’t planning to hike that far on this trip, but I started to get excited at the prospect of seeing a bear in the wild. I thanked the southbound hiker for the heads up and we went our separate ways.
Roughly 3.1 miles in, after double checking to make sure I had my bear mace and picking up a good-sized stone, I passed Riga Shelter and Campsites…
After I snapped that photo, a southbound hiker made his way up the trail to me and told me he’d earlier seen a bear near Bear Mountain. I wasn’t planning to hike that far on this trip, but I started to get excited at the prospect of seeing a bear in the wild. I thanked the southbound hiker for the heads up and we went our separate ways.
Roughly 3.1 miles in, after double checking to make sure I had my bear mace and picking up a good-sized stone, I passed Riga Shelter and Campsites…
I
kept moving, still heading northbound, while making a mental note to explore
the shelter on the way back if time allowed.
Approximately 3.7 miles in, after passing through a reforestation area, I passed Ball Brook Campsite…
Approximately 3.7 miles in, after passing through a reforestation area, I passed Ball Brook Campsite…
Again,
I kept moving but made a mental note to explore the campsite on the way back.
Roughly 4.3 miles in, I passed the final campsite in this section, at Brassie Brook…
Roughly 4.3 miles in, I passed the final campsite in this section, at Brassie Brook…
Roughly
4.8 miles in, I reached Riga Junction…
Here,
the blue-blazed Undermountain Trail leaves right and heads east for 1.9 miles
to a parking area on Route 41. On my
next AT hike, I’ll attempt to park at that lot and use Undermountain Trail to
connect me back to this spot on the AT.
For today, I snapped the photo above and texted Jaci to let her know I
reached the halfway point.
I started to make my way back to the car. Along the way, I stopped to check out the shelters and campsites I’d passed earlier in the day. As I did, I learned all kinds of interesting things…like what a Bear Box is and what it does…
I started to make my way back to the car. Along the way, I stopped to check out the shelters and campsites I’d passed earlier in the day. As I did, I learned all kinds of interesting things…like what a Bear Box is and what it does…
…what
a Wash Area is and how/why to properly use one…
As
a day hiker, I’ve only occasionally read about these things online. I’m extremely curious about the knowledge it
takes to stay safe when overnighting out in the wilderness. I’m not sure that I’ll ever use that
information, but four years ago I never thought I’d be hiking at all. So, who knows what the future holds. That said, if I ever do decide to overnight
on this section of trail, I would want to stay at the Riga Shelter. The picture below is taken from the front of
the shelter looking east, and I can only imagine what the sunrise must look
like…
This
was a great hike. The weather was
perfect and the bugs weren’t bad at all.
My next AT hike will be on the final section of the trail in CT. I’m happy to be closing in on the end of what
I consider a pretty cool accomplishment, but sad I’ll never get to experience these
miles for the first time again. And, I’m
excited about the prospect of seeing a wild bear…hopefully from a safe distance.
Until next time…
Until next time…
For a map of this hike, along with elevation data, please click here.
Total 2015 Distance: 253.4
(246.6 to Goal)