Inn-to-inn hikes have been on my mind, and I'm imaging this as an inn-to-inn meets S24O (sub 24h overnight, a bike touring concept) and I love it. As in, you head out, do the hike and then when you arrive in Concord, instead of rushing to the train (sorry story arc) you do the Best Beer Ever thing, then go to an Inn (still walkable in this case), take a shower, have a huge dinner, sleep in a nice bed, and then go home the next morning. One change of clothes, meds and a toothbrush won't weigh that much.
You know....you could do a version of this on the High Road trail in the Berkshires! Take Amtrak to Pittsfield, hike to Lenox, spend the night there, and catch the bus back to Pittsfield in the AM. Or reverse the two towns (Pittsfield is awesome.)
Actually that's sort of why it's been on my mind! I've been struggling to justify the cost of doing the Berkshire Camino (which I learned about from MTM) and I used your High Road newsletter to lay out a possible Kripalu->Bousquet->Pittsfield->Beer->Snooze. I ended up booking the Camino trip because I have a medical problem and I want to do it supported before I go making overly ambitious plans through a locale without off-ramps.
Good call. The only real off-ramp on the current High Road route is the optional decent into Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary from the top of Lennox Mountain, which is steep and prolonged enough to feel like a side hike itself. And then you’d have to summon an Uber once you reach the nearest road.
Inn-to-inn hikes have been on my mind, and I'm imaging this as an inn-to-inn meets S24O (sub 24h overnight, a bike touring concept) and I love it. As in, you head out, do the hike and then when you arrive in Concord, instead of rushing to the train (sorry story arc) you do the Best Beer Ever thing, then go to an Inn (still walkable in this case), take a shower, have a huge dinner, sleep in a nice bed, and then go home the next morning. One change of clothes, meds and a toothbrush won't weigh that much.
You know....you could do a version of this on the High Road trail in the Berkshires! Take Amtrak to Pittsfield, hike to Lenox, spend the night there, and catch the bus back to Pittsfield in the AM. Or reverse the two towns (Pittsfield is awesome.)
Actually that's sort of why it's been on my mind! I've been struggling to justify the cost of doing the Berkshire Camino (which I learned about from MTM) and I used your High Road newsletter to lay out a possible Kripalu->Bousquet->Pittsfield->Beer->Snooze. I ended up booking the Camino trip because I have a medical problem and I want to do it supported before I go making overly ambitious plans through a locale without off-ramps.
Good call. The only real off-ramp on the current High Road route is the optional decent into Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary from the top of Lennox Mountain, which is steep and prolonged enough to feel like a side hike itself. And then you’d have to summon an Uber once you reach the nearest road.