I was just so crowded when I reached the summit, despite my early start. A few minutes after arriving – not the first person there – a group of about 20 people all with tall boy cans of craft beer showed up, loud and lubricated from the alcohol and hiking. And the crowds, the dogs, and people just didn’t stop coming. And the views while fine, weren’t that breath taking. I spent an hour or so just waiting for the big group to pass by before I descending, hoping for some quiet time on the mountain, but the crowds just wouldn’t stop. The only thing that happened during that time is the sky grew grayer and cloudier. I did a hike a bit further on the Deerfield Ridge Trail, north of Haystack, and that section was much quieter with one excellent view down into the Glasenbury Wilderness.

Had hoped to hike along the Harriman Reservoir but then I was discouraged by those noting the Catamont Trail is primarily a ski trail and not well maintained. The Hogsback Mountain Preserve seemed attractive for hiking, and on the way back to camp, but somehow I got Molly Stark State Park confused with the Woodford State Park. So I didn’t get there. But I did end up hiking up Prospect Mountain from off Prospect Mountain Road but by then the skies were rather cloudy and dark with the coming rain. At least I got two nice nights of camping, even if gas was expensive. Still it was good to get away.