View Full Version : Questions Regarding Getting to Massachusetts
Hello, my friends and I are planning to do a section hike through Massachusetts, going from south to north. The guidebook says that although the CT/MA boundary is at Sage's Ravine, there is no trail head there, and that the closest one is by Conn. 41, with Salisbury, CT .8 miles south of it. It seems to make sense to get to Salisbury and make our way to the AT from there.
However, we are coming for New York City, and have absolutely no clue as to how we could get there. Help! Our preferred traveling methods are by bus or train.
I also have another question regarding our endpoint, which would have us leaving the trail around North Adams/ Williamstown, MA. How would we get back home after we get off the trail?
Thanks in advance!
Snowleopard
06-08-2009, 20:34
Hi wcheung, Welcome to whiteblaze. The following thread has some info:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50914
Trains go from NYC to Pawling, NY; there's a weekend only train stop called "Appalachian Trail" in NY.
The AT goes through Salisbury and it's a nice hike from the center of town over Lion's Head and Bear Mountain. There is some kind of bus from Williamstown or N. Adams to one of the towns in SW Mass. I've lost the link, so you'll have to google for it.
Thanks for your quick reply! I've seen that thread yet it seems to concern CT as well. If I were to get off Pawling, NY, and start off on the trail, would I not also be traveling through most of CT as well?
Are there connections to that stop that would bring us closer to Salisbury?
Snowleopard
06-08-2009, 21:32
Yes, you would go through CT from Pawling.
"Are there connections to that stop that would bring us closer to Salisbury?"
I don't think so. There is somebody in Kent, CT that does shuttling that may be able to take you to Salisbury. Public transportation is not very good in CT. Hitchhiking or two cars is needed. You might contact the person that started that thread and see if you can share transportation.
When are you planning to go?
We plan on leaving sometime within the next three weeks.
Here's what I think would be the most economical:
1. Take the Metro North to Pawling, NY, have the person from Kent pick us up at that stop, and shuttle us to the trailhead near Salisbury.
2. Hike to North Adams, MA, get to Williamstown, and Greyhound it back to NYC.
Does this plan make sense?
You seem to have a good plan but how do you feel about a six mile hitch?
In April I started a hike at the trailhead in Salisbury you're referring to. I took a Peter Pan bus to Canaan Connecticut and hitched to where the trail crosses US-44 near the Lions Head trailhead on US-41. If you don't like hitching there are local CT shuttlers on the ATC's shuttle list. The bus stop at the Williams Inn is also a Peter Pan terminal and they have regular service to NYC.
ATC shuttle list:
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/atf/cf/%7BB8A229E6-1CDC-41B7-A615-2D5911950E45%7D/AT%20Shuttle%20List%20WEB%206-1-09.pdf
Canaan bus stop to A.T.:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=75+main+st+canaan+ct&daddr=Canaan+Rd%2FUS-44&geocode=%3BFdizgAIdqLyf-w&hl=en&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=41.984409,-73.426738&sspn=0.017673,0.04549&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=13
Take plenty of bug spray. I was shocked at how much water and how many bugs are along the AT in Mass. But, it is beautiful country and you will really enjoy the hike.
Snowleopard
06-09-2009, 19:05
Via TinMan on another thread, for another option:
Lakeville Taxi 860-435-8000 in Salisbury, CT is reasonable.
Matt'smom
06-09-2009, 19:09
I believe there is a Greyhound bus that goes out of Adams, MA.
Old Grouse
06-09-2009, 19:34
If your'e heart-set on starting in Mass, take the train past Pawling and get off at Wassaic, which is the end of the line. That's a little farther north and closer to Salisbury. Then call the Lakeville taxi service referenced above. It might save you a buck or two to go as far north as possible. Note, though: Wassaic is only a little farther north (approximately due west of Kent) but a lot farther from the trail.
mooseboy
06-09-2009, 20:35
I have section-hiked this whole area, and live in New York myself. I never needed a taxi or shuttle to do my CT or MA sections, as the bus was always nearby.
Peter Pan Bus (http://www.peterpanbus.com/) serves both Sheffield and Great Barrington in Southern Mass. directly from NYC's Port Authority. I had the driver just drop me off right on U.S. 7 where the A.T. crosses the highway between the 2 towns (this is right next to a farmer's market-type place called the Corn Crib). --If your driver is uncool, you can always get off in Sheffield and walk the 3 miles.
You can then hike all the way to Williamstown at the northern end of Mass., and take Peter Pan back to NYC.
The only downside of this is that you'll miss the bottom 14 miles of Massachusetts, and a few nice mountains there. But you can't beat the convenience! If you take the Metro-North, you're setting yourself up for a pretty long secondary ride.
Hope this helps!
MooseBoy
superman
06-09-2009, 20:53
I'm pretty sure that you have to turn to the left to go to MA.:D
I'm pretty sure that you have to turn to the left to go to MA.:D
Yep, when orienting your map look to the left in MA... and VT, CT, and NJ. NY, look down. :p
wow, thanks everybody for the useful information =D