Day 141. 7/25/21

Barbie made an excellent breakfast and brought me to the trail head at 8:00 AM. It had rained overnight but when I got back n the trail the rain had stopped and it was foggy. Other than seeing a tent set up just off the trail saw no one for a few miles.Climbed up Calebs Peak and started down the St. John Ledges which were quite steep. A section hiker was climbing up them. The rocks were wet and slippery so I took my time. Reminded me of the White Mountains in NH. Once at the bottom trail was smooth dirt and flat for a few miles and followed the Housatonic River which was running high. Lots of day hikers.Became partly cloudy with reasonable temps. Climbed up and over a ridge than had to cross Guinea Brook. Signs mentioned a road diversion if Brook crossing was felt to be dangerous which it wasn’t. Saw several hikers crossing in both directions. Current was strong about knee high water kept shoes on and it was no problem.Climbed up and over another ridge. Looked like Spring because trees had lost so much of their leaves due to Gypsy moth caterpillars.Lots of small streams to filter water unlike Pennsylvania which was so dry.Climbed down to a road and then back up another ridge. Finally reached the Pine Swamp Brook Shelter at about 7:00 PM. Long day of hiking 17.2 miles with nearly 4,000 feet elevation gain but I felt well. At shelter only saw 2 tents set up in the distance so I decided to stay in the shelter. Filtered water in nearby stream cooked dinner and there was a bear box. Several other hikers came in and two stayed in the shelter. Mosquitoes are a big problem now. Tomorrow will go over 1,500 mile marker.