Berkshire Eagle reporter Greta Jochem hit the Appalachian Trail Aug. 1 at the Connecticut line with plans to hike the state's 90-mile segment. In this fifth and final report, she describes a slippery ascent of Mount Greylock and other outtakes from her trail notebook, including a final memorable encounter.

While hiking, reporter Greta Jochem finds the joy of a new pair of hiking shoes, an overnight stay at the Upper Goose Pond Cabin and a bag of chips at Cumberland Farms.

A sign still says "COOKIE LADY" — and well it should, as a tribute to the late Marilyn Wiley, who for three decades made her family's Washington blueberry farm a sweet destination for hikers coming up or down the Appalachian Trail. But for the second summer, members of another family now greet hikers.

Follow along as Berkshire Eagle reporter Greta Jochem hikes the Appalachian Trail through Massachusetts, giving readers an inside look, in this third dispatch since her trip began Aug. 1, at what the experience is like. 

“Trail magic,” a blue sign proclaimed at a road crossing in Sheffield. It pointed Appalachian Trail hikers toward a clearing. Then no sign was needed.

Follow along as Berkshire Eagle reporter Greta Jochem hikes the Appalachian Trail this week, giving readers an inside look at what the experience is like.