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wolf
01-24-2007, 21:23
we are hiking from bear mtn to mass. in oct need to get from williamstown totrain station in new york.also how is weather this time of year are there stock up pionts along the way.is any body going our way will chip in for shuttle:-?

rafe
01-24-2007, 22:54
Cosmo is here on WB and can probably give you details on transportation to/from Williamstown. The ALDHA guide will give you details on resupply points, but from memory: Kent, Cornwall Bridge, Falls Village, Salisbury, Dalton and Cheshire are all easily accessible from that section.

Pokey2006
01-25-2007, 03:11
Can't help you with the shuttle, but as to your other question, re: the weather: October in southern New England it's generally good for hiking -- cool, crisp, often sunny, not as wet as other times of the year. If you're lucky, you'll get some really warm, Indian summer days, especially in early to mid-October.

However, it can also be very chilly. Bring plenty of warm clothes, and I would even say bring your winter gear -- gloves, balaclava, thermals, warm sleeping bag, etc. Nights can be downright cold, especially at the end of the month. There is the possibility of snow and nor'easters, though they're not as common in October as in November. Again, late in October, the weather can start to get nasty. Be prepared, just in case.

On the other hand, you could catch some real nice foliage. And the trails may not be as busy as in the summertime.

Pokey2006
01-25-2007, 03:14
Wait! Maybe I can help you with the shuttle question. There is bus service out of Williamstown. The pick-up point is at the Williamstown Inn, I think. Not sure if it will get you where you need to go, but it might be an option to look at.

aaronthebugbuffet
01-25-2007, 03:55
Greyhound will get you ftom NY to Williamstown and back.

rafe
01-25-2007, 13:31
I'll 2nd pokey's remarks about October weather. Plan for nights of 35 to 40 degrees. Some snow is possible but not terribly likely. Cold rain is more likely. Generally decent weather for hiking, though. Daytime temps could run from 35 to 70... in that ballpark. Foliage should be wonderful.

Old Grouse
01-25-2007, 13:42
For more details on travel to/from Williamstown, check the Williams College website.

Cosmo
01-31-2007, 01:12
What Train station in NY? If you are looking for the Metro North (http://www.mta.info/mnr/) Communter line, you need to get a bus that goes down Rt 22 with stops in Wasaic, Wingdale, or Dover Plains. At present, Peter Pan (http://www.peterpanbus.com/tickets/fares.php) does not list stops there. Alternatively Metro North also serves Danbury and Waterbury CT, which are on the Peter Pan list of cities.

Re supply in Kent CT, Salisbury CT, Great Barrington MA (5 miles).

October is hands down the best month for hiking this section (unless you get record rains like in 2005). About halfway through the month, lows are routinely below freezing. By Halloween, all the leaves (except oaks and beech) are off the trees.

Don't expect to find any hotel space available over the Columbus Day weekend.



If NYC is your destination Peter Pan also stops there.

IN Williamstown, the bus leaves from the Williams Inn at the junciton of Rt 2 and 7, about 6 miles west of the AT/Rt2 crossing.

Cosmo

the_iceman
01-31-2007, 05:10
Great time of year but a lot of "leaf peepers" out. Threre is an Amtrak Station in Pittsfield which is very close to Williamstown.

Pittsfield, MA (PIT) http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080551178&ssid=93

1 Columbus Avenue
at North St. (US Hwy 7)
Pittsfield, MA 01201

http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakpix/stationphotos/PIT/pit.html

From there I think you would go to Albany, NY then catch a train right into Penn Station

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321961&ssid=134

the_iceman
01-31-2007, 05:21
An excerpt from Jack Tarlin's Article(s) here on Whiteblaze:

*Just after Bear Mt. one can hitch into Peekskill, a large town with multiple services.

*.4 east at NY52 is the very friendly Mountain Top market.

*At NY55, one can hitch left to large supermarkets and a few restaurants

*From County Road20/West Dover Rd, one can hitch to Pawling, New York, which has markets, restaurants, and a free place to tent.

*At NY 22, you can walk half a mile to a deli.

*At Hoyt Rd. (Wingdale NY) there are restaurants and a grocery.

*At Bull's Bridge Rd, just off the Trail, is a very friendly small market.

*Kent, Connecticut offers all major hiker services with the exception of inexpensive lodging. You're also about to enter serious mosquito country, so don't forget to pick up some Deet.

1--Leaving Kent, it's possible to leave the Trail and re-supply in Cornwall Bridge (11 miles past Kent); there's also a market in Shaorn about 4.6 miles west of the crossing at the West Cornwall Rd. However, I've always found it easier to pack 2-3 days of food out of Kent and re-supply at the excellent market in Salisbury, which is less than half a mile from the Trail 32.7 miles North of Kent.

2--Salisbury is small, with limited services, but there's an excellent (if somewhat pricey) supermarket; if your budget permits, check out the deli/prepared foods section which has some amazing stuff. There's also a pharmacy, ice cream shop, great coffee shop, bank with ATM, and fuel available at the Auto Shop if you didn't bring enough from Kent.

3--You have several options after Salisbury: About 15 miles past Salisbury, at MA41, there's a convenience store about a mile to your left.

*From the trail crossing at Rt.7, about 40 miles from Salisbury, one can go 3m to Great Barrington (motels, restaurants, market). There's also a small market about 3m to your right in the town of Sheffield. Very limited re-supply is available from a friendly farmstand a few yards from the trail crossing. If you need an Outfitter, there's one just 2 miles to your left; it also holds hiker mail.

*At MA23, there's a hiker hostel that holds mail. I've never stayed there, and it does not enjoy a reputation for friendliness.

*Tyringham MA. has a Post Office and not much else.

*From US20 one can hitch (not always an easy one) about 5m to the left to Lee, which has a motel, restaurants, and a large supermarket. Lee is about 50 miles from Salisbury.

4--Dalton MA is 19 miles past Lee, and the miles from Upper Goose Pond to Dalton are very easy ones; big mileage here is a snap. There's a small market in Dalton as well as a convenience store just yards off the Trail. There are also several very friendly locals who take in hikers; if you stay with them, please follow all house rules and respect that you're in a residential area, so behave accordingly, especially as regards noise, alcohol, etc. If you elect to skip Great Barrington, Sheffield, or Lee, it's about 70 miles from Salisbury to Dalton; bring 4-5 days worth of supplies.

5--You won't need much leaving Dalton; 9.3 miles later in Cheshire, you'll go close to a market and right past the Post office.

6--13.8 miles from Cheshire, you'll come to MA2. The large town of North Adams, with all sorts of services, is a few miles to your right. Williamstown, a very pleasant college town, is an equal distance to your left.
Lodging (motels) are cheaper in North Adams; it's possible to stay for free behind the excellent Outfitter in Williamstown if you get permission first. The best local supermarket is the enormous Super Stop 'N Shop, about half a mile to the west of the Trailhead going towards Williamstown. Williamstown has all sorts of other facilities.....a great coffee shop, a very friendly pub, several good restaurants, an excellent public library. This is a nice place to take some time off. Note: Avoid sending too much food, or purchasing too much, in either Dalton or Cheshire. This will keep you from hauling too large a foodbag up Mt. Greylock, a healthy climb on a hot day. You're much better off to pack only what you need, and re-supply after Greylock at the Stop 'N Shop.

Jack Tarlin
01-31-2007, 20:09
Thanx, Iceman.

As far as I know you can catch a bus right in Williamstown; I think it's "Bonanza Bus" which is now owned by the Peter Pan bus line. There used to be two buses a day that left Williamstown for New York (Port Authority Terminal). From there, you can get a cab to the Train Station. The bus stop is at the Williams Inn; the fare is around $80.00 For more info, go to the Peter Pan Bus website.

An alternate would be to get to Springfield MA and then catch a train from there direct to NYC. Easiest way to get to Springfield would probably be to get to Pittsfield MA (this is very close to Williamstown; a friendly local, maybe Tom Levardi, who lives in Dalton, might be able to take you from Williamstown to Pittsfield); then there's regular bus service between Pittsfield and Springfield where you could then catch a train south.