Great Barrington Appalachian Trail Community Gathers for a Cool Celebration on a Hot Day

by Andrea Minoff 

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It was a very hot day, but that did not deter locals and through-hikers from gathering to celebrate Great Barrington’s connection with the Appalachian Trail on Saturday, July 20 at Beartown State Forest. The 6th Annual Great Barrington Appalachian Trail Community Day included trail maintenance at Glen Brook and Hemlocks overnight sites in Mount Everett State Reservation and a guided wildflower walk around Benedict Pond led by Judy Schumer. A longer hike was cancelled due to weather conditions.

Some folks cooled off in the pond and all then chowed down at a potluck picnic including almost two dozen tired but hungry and grateful through-hikers, with entertainment provided by the Berkshire Ukulele Band. 

AT Community Day is sponsored by the Great Barrington Land Conservancy, Massachusetts  Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Greenagers, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Appalachian Mountain Club. Christine Ward and Deb Phillips co-chaired the event for the Land Conservancy and GB Trails.  Adam Morris, MA DCR Beartown Park Supervisor; Adam Brown, Appalachian Trail Conservancy Regional Manager; Cosmo Catalano, Chair of the MA Appalachian Trail Management Committee and Past Chair Jim Pelletier participated in the event.

Comment for co-leader, Christine Ward: "The day was another great celebration of the many folks that work together to preserve, maintain and enjoy the Appalachian Trail!"

 

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Feeding through-hikers is a big part of GB Communiyt  A.T. DAy