Cosmo
01-15-2018, 17:56
The Trail segment between Kellogg Rd and US Rt 7 in Mass has been subject to high water and ice from localized flooding along the Housatonic River. Even when water levels recede, there will be many places with thin/unstable ice 12" or more above the treadway. Snow cover may make it impossible to determine where the ice is and is not.
At several locations, the Trail is immediately adjacent to the riverbank, and hikers breaking through the ice could end up in the river, or in deep tributary streams. Avoid this Trail segment until bare ground is visible on the treadway. This is about 0.7 miles of trail, just alongside the river. The walk around utilizes US Rt 7. We've posted signs at each end. As long as the weather stays cold, the ice will remain after the water has subsided, leaving hollow space underneath.
I could not get to our footbridge that's a few hundred yards in from Rt 7, but was able to see one end from the adjacent corn field--I think it's probably OK.
I suspect there are similar issues along the Housatonic in CT, but have not heard from them.
Northbound hikers should turn right (south) on US Rt 7 for approximately 0.5 miles, then left onto Kellogg Rd until rejoining the AT in approx 0.2 miles at the road bridge.
Southbound hikers should continue straight ahead on Kellogg Rd, turn right (north) onto US Rt 7 and rejoin the AT in approx 0.5 miles, turning left at the crossing of US Rt 7.
Cosmo
At several locations, the Trail is immediately adjacent to the riverbank, and hikers breaking through the ice could end up in the river, or in deep tributary streams. Avoid this Trail segment until bare ground is visible on the treadway. This is about 0.7 miles of trail, just alongside the river. The walk around utilizes US Rt 7. We've posted signs at each end. As long as the weather stays cold, the ice will remain after the water has subsided, leaving hollow space underneath.
I could not get to our footbridge that's a few hundred yards in from Rt 7, but was able to see one end from the adjacent corn field--I think it's probably OK.
I suspect there are similar issues along the Housatonic in CT, but have not heard from them.
Northbound hikers should turn right (south) on US Rt 7 for approximately 0.5 miles, then left onto Kellogg Rd until rejoining the AT in approx 0.2 miles at the road bridge.
Southbound hikers should continue straight ahead on Kellogg Rd, turn right (north) onto US Rt 7 and rejoin the AT in approx 0.5 miles, turning left at the crossing of US Rt 7.
Cosmo