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  1. #1

    Default Cheshire Hostel Re-Opens

    Folks, the St Mary of the Assumption Church in Cheshire Mass has re-opened. It was closed temporarily on April 21st due to the caretaker's illness. Page 144 of the '04 Companion is now correct. Nice folks.

    Cosmo

    Mass AT Committee
    www.amcberkshire.org/at

  2. #2
    Section Hiker, 625 miles & counting mooseboy's Avatar
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    Stayed there mid-July 2005. It's a great place to stay if you need to get indoors for a change. The priest is friendly and welcoming, and you have bathrooms and electricity, plus access to a few stores & restaurants, including a good pizza place.

    A good place to hole up if you want to tackle Greylock early in the morning. Also, thru-hiker Draggin's mom lives across the street and loves to talk to hikers.

  3. #3

    Default Off-season?

    Quote Originally Posted by Cosmo
    Folks, the St Mary of the Assumption Church in Cheshire Mass has re-opened. It was closed temporarily on April 21st due to the caretaker's illness. Page 144 of the '04 Companion is now correct. Nice folks.

    Cosmo

    Mass AT Committee
    www.amcberkshire.org/at
    Do you know if it's open off-season, i.e. November?

  4. #4

    Default

    Don' t know for sure about the off season. Certainly the church will be operating. They might be surprised to see a hiker in November, though. Here is their phone number:

    413-743-5423

    Let us know what you find out,

    Cosmo

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cosmo
    Don' t know for sure about the off season. Certainly the church will be operating. They might be surprised to see a hiker in November, though. Here is their phone number:

    413-743-5423

    Let us know what you find out,

    Cosmo
    Thanks - will do, that is if the hike occurs.

  6. #6
    Registered User Hepcatt's Avatar
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    FYI - Stayed there overnight in Oct 97,

  7. #7
    Registered User wolf's Avatar
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    were and how far off the trail is it,we will be going thrue there in oct08
    wolf

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wolf View Post
    were and how far off the trail is it,we will be going thrue there in oct08
    Wolf--
    It's about 2 blocks trail west of the AT in Cheshire, right down the street from the PO. They might not expect to see hikers in October, but I'm sure they would take you in (413-743-2110).

    Cosmo

  9. #9
    Registered User wolf's Avatar
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    who should i ask for
    wolf

  10. #10

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    I suggest the little Ice Cream Shop that you come to right off the trail in Cheshire about a 1/4 mile. Little blue house on the right, wonderful lady, and soft serve ice cream. A delight.

  11. #11
    Registered User wolf's Avatar
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    how is the trial inthis section
    wolf

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by wolf View Post
    how is the trial inthis section
    It has it's ups and downs.


  13. #13

    Default

    I did the 37 miles in between Tyringham at Goose pond Rd and Cheshire back in may or june, It was wonderful except for the flooded out sections because of beavers. They weren't too bad but it gets a little sloppy in areas. In conjunction with that comment there are quite a lot of foot bridges and the terrain is not too bad. Combine that with fantastic shelters and you've got a pretty good section of trail

  14. #14

    Default

    Stayed at St Mary of the Assumption Church inCheshire July 2011. Great experience, parishionerscheck in with you to see if you needed anything. You can use the rest rooms, unfortunately noshowers. Must cook outside. Was happy to comply with this request. The town is small, but they have some basic amenitieswithin walking distance. There are acouple of local restaurants, bars, ice cream shop, an old fashion generalstore, and a convenience store that serves good deli sandwiches. There was an outfitter, but it is no longerin business. The Post Office is right onthe trail and the regional transit service (bus) stops there too. Great big two thumbs up!

  15. #15

    Default

    An update on St Mary's Church in a Cheshire Mass: The church no longer allows hikers in the church hall overnight, only until 8pm for bathroom access, charging cell phones, etc. Hikers may tent on the grounds.

    Not sure if anything in particular has caused this policy change, the church has been undergoing a change in staff over the past year or so.

    Cosmo

  16. #16

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    Father Tom Begley (the priest who first opened St Mary's to hikers) has passed away. Here is his Obit:

    https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/be...8877&fhid=4866

    As you can see, Father Tom had a significant connection to the Trail for many years. While he was not as active in the past few years, he always managed to attend our annual gathering of AT volunteers.

    Cosmo

    Quote Originally Posted by Cosmo View Post
    An update on St Mary's Church in a Cheshire Mass: The church no longer allows hikers in the church hall overnight, only until 8pm for bathroom access, charging cell phones, etc. Hikers may tent on the grounds.

    Not sure if anything in particular has caused this policy change, the church has been undergoing a change in staff over the past year or so.

    Cosmo

  17. #17
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    I am grateful for the opportunity to stay at in the church when I went through in 2017, especially since it was raining and had been raining for a couple days.

    RIP Father Tom.

    Your contribution to the hiking community was awesome.

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