DAY 3 IN THE LIFE - FOURTH OF JULY

Fourth of July weekend is in the middle of the week so it's kinda quiet.  The campground isn't near full and probably won't be because of the holiday in the middle.  Worked in the Rangers Hut all afternoon and had about five people come through.  Dave and the crew power washed picnic tables.


The highlight of our day.....however....was the night! A group of about 15 met at the Summit parking lot at 8:30 to climb to the top of Brownsville Rock to watch the fireworks from the top!  I mentioned before that hiking here is more like climbing as there are no switchbacks but straight up and we spent a lot of time climbing over the boulders and rocks rather than finding any kind of paths.  


The trip up was tough as we are just getting used to elevation here coming from six feet above sea level.  It was 7/10 of a mile from the parking lot and the last bit of the climb of very steep.   The trail is rated strenuous and steep and it's not a stretch to see how it got that rating.


By the time we got to the top it was almost dark but it was beautiful.  

MT ASCUTNEY FROM BROWNSVILLE 

We were sitting at the peak of the mountain looking down into this valley.    We could see across many of the towns to Okemo Mountain and way off into the distance we could see Killington Mt.  From the observation tower (a different trail) you can the Berkshire Mountains.

LOOKING DOWN FROM BROWNSVILLE ROCK TO BROWNSVILLE

 View looking down onto Brownsville.  Ascutney Ski Area is right below.  (I copied this picture from the web as my pictures didn't come out so great ... as you'll see).

ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS FROM BROWNSVILLE ROCK

 This is where we were sitting to watch the fireworks.  Obviously this one was taken during the day and I copied it from a website.

This one I took - you can see us all sitting around on the rocks waiting for the fireworks.  

BROWNSVILLE ROCK FOR THE JULY 4TH FIREWORKS SHOW FROM MT ASCUTNEY

While sitting on the rock we could see fireworks off in the distance in the many towns.  It was like observing everything from an airplane.  Looking straight down we saw Ascutney Ski Resort which was right below us and this was the spot where the fireworks were going to be shot off.


I have never seen fireworks from above and they are just as spectacular as they are from below.  


The sound of the explosions reverberated from mountain to mountain.  Each report would echo for a good five seconds, mingling with the next report and kept building, so that when there was a pause in the fireworks, the sound would continue on and eventually fade out, only to pick up again when the next volley started.




The fireworks finished and now we had to make our way down this steep trail in the dark!  Mark and Lucy had laid light sticks along the trail to keep us on track.  Even at that, Lucy led a group down the wrong trail and had to backtrack.  We were behind them so caught up when they re-entered the trail.  Even a seasoned Ranger can get lost up here!


The descent wasn't really that bad.  We took it slowly, no one in a hurry, didn't want to walk faster than your lights as you had to know where to place your feet.  I caught some slippery stuff and landed on my butt; the camper behind me almost did the same thing but no one got hurt and we eventually got down to the parking lot.  By this time it was around 11:00. 


It was a great start to the Fourth of July celebrations.  Today many of the surrounding towns are having parades and more fireworks tonight.  Think we'll stay at the bottom of the trail tho.


Definitely want to do this trail in daylight and see the views.  We are in a blessed place!