I was out for a few days backpacking on the AT in Connecticut from the NY line north. It is definitely spring before the canopy is leafing out but what really stuck out was the prevalence of Japanese barberry. It has nearly completely taken over the woods along the AT on the ridge lines under the oaks. I have read that Connecticut also has a long term overpopulation of deer and they have wiped out the undergrowth and expect that that has helped the barberry to fill in the niche that native plants once provided as deer do not eat barberry. At least the rhododendrons and mountain laurel seem to sticking it out. Along with the monoculture aspect of Japanese barberry is that its prime territory for ticks questing to find a host. I had hiked this section 30 years ago and do not remember the extent of this invasion. Throw in a lot of Wooly Adelgid damage to Hemlocks and its looking pretty grim in the woods.
It was quiet on the trail. we had the campsites to ourselves. One thing to be aware of is that the pumps that serves as the only water sources at several shelters are no longer in service and water need to be carried to them, sometimes quite a distance. There is temporary signage along the trail of these closures, but they should be more explicit signage on the last reliable water source before a shelter that the shelter does not have water. To many a pump not working is an inconvenience while a lack of any water at a site is far more of a major issue. It was still early spring so we did find a few intermittent streams but my guess is they are not reliable.