Sophie's Lane and Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail
7.5 miles with about 900 feet of elevation gain.
It rained overnight, but we didn't care; it's usually a pain to pack up a wet tent, but this was our last day and we didn't have far to go. We even slept in -- instead of getting up at 5am and heading out by 6, we slept until 7:30 and headed out around 9. Sloths!
Sophie's Lane is easy walking. It's a very pleasant way to spend your last few miles -- you're on a nice country road that feels flat the entire way. We tried to slow our pace since our ride wasn't supposed to arrive at the border until 5pm; with the way we were walking, we were bound to get there hours earlier. We couldn't seem to not hike quickly, though...quickly was our natural pace now and it felt strange slowing down.
We did stop to admire the gazillion tadpoles in this flooded section of road, though. So many little creatures swimming all around! :)
Before we knew it, we were at the turn for the overgrown snowmobile section.
It begins as old country road...
...and then turns into the overgrown vegetation-fest we had learned is characteristic of many sections of the Cohos Trail (at least, during the summer). It was still pleasant walking, though. In spite of the evening's rain, the ground was firm and not marshy.
After a short bit of up, we arrived at the first signs of the Canadian border.
A tiny bit more up, and we were there!
Heading up to the lake was the steepest part of our day. It's not too bad of a climb though, considering it's only a few tenths of a mile and there are blueberries everywhere. We ate our way up.
Standing in Canada!
Reaching the lake...
The trail goes around the lake. The girls sat and snacked while I did this half a mile solo and without my pack, then I waited while they went around together without their packs.
We had so much time to kill -- it was only noon and Nancy was to arrive at 5pm down at the border parking area. We sat, ate, talked, and looked at all our scars.
Cohos Trail Badges of Honor --
We were so excited with our accomplishment that we goofed and walked right through the gated area to get to the border patrol parking area. DO NOT DO THIS. In the Databook, it clearly states to go around the fenced area. We were distracted with talking with each other and forgot what the Databook says. As we walked through, the border patrol fellow stuck his head out the checkpoint's window and politely asked us not to walk through -- he said there were signs everywhere and seemed annoyed that we didn't see them. I profusely apologized and he was then very nice about it. Later, after we were waiting by the parking area, I wondered why we had not seen the signs he had been talking about. Here's why -- THEY DO NOT FACE THE COHOS TRAIL.
There ARE signs asking hikers to go around the fenced area...the problem is, they face the parking area. When a northbound Cohos Trail hiker finishes her hike, there are ZERO signs facing her to show her where to go -- you cannot see the way to walk as you are coming down from the trail. The most obvious way to go is right through the driving section.
Therefore, Powers That Be, please suggest to border patrol that they erect signs that actually face the hikers coming down from the Cohos Trail.
In the meantime....take the cross-walk...
...then turn right and walk along this fence to the parking area.
We hung out here and played cards for almost four hours until Nancy Spaulding arrived, punctual as always. Note that we could not call her to ask for an earlier pick-up time because there is NO CELL RECEPTION at the border. Therefore, make sure you have planned in advance for a pick-up and make sure you understand you have no way of contacting anyone once you are north of Pittsburgh. You will have ZERO cell/internet reception the last two days of your hike.
Nancy dropped us off in Lancaster, where our friend John Myers picked us up and drove us home (thanks, John!!).
I don't normally post selfies, but I'll add this one here. I dropped ten pounds on this hike, which I've managed to keep off with a steady diet of daily exercise and wise food choices. Nothing like a thru-hike to get you into shape quickly.
7.5 miles with about 900 feet of elevation gain.
It rained overnight, but we didn't care; it's usually a pain to pack up a wet tent, but this was our last day and we didn't have far to go. We even slept in -- instead of getting up at 5am and heading out by 6, we slept until 7:30 and headed out around 9. Sloths!
It took about five minutes to get back to Sophie's Lane and start heading toward Canada.
We stopped to say hello to this little guy/gal along the way.
Sophie's Lane is easy walking. It's a very pleasant way to spend your last few miles -- you're on a nice country road that feels flat the entire way. We tried to slow our pace since our ride wasn't supposed to arrive at the border until 5pm; with the way we were walking, we were bound to get there hours earlier. We couldn't seem to not hike quickly, though...quickly was our natural pace now and it felt strange slowing down.
We did stop to admire the gazillion tadpoles in this flooded section of road, though. So many little creatures swimming all around! :)
Before we knew it, we were at the turn for the overgrown snowmobile section.
It begins as old country road...
...and then turns into the overgrown vegetation-fest we had learned is characteristic of many sections of the Cohos Trail (at least, during the summer). It was still pleasant walking, though. In spite of the evening's rain, the ground was firm and not marshy.
After a short bit of up, we arrived at the first signs of the Canadian border.
A tiny bit more up, and we were there!
The hike wasn't over, though. The last bit of Cohos Trail is a loop hike of Fourth Conn Lake Trail. This trail actually takes you in and out of Canada as you make your way to the lake.
NO DOGS on this trail, please! We saw dog prints when we did this section. Please, owners, don't be jerks -- respect the rules.
Heading up to the lake was the steepest part of our day. It's not too bad of a climb though, considering it's only a few tenths of a mile and there are blueberries everywhere. We ate our way up.
Standing in Canada!
Reaching the lake...
The trail goes around the lake. The girls sat and snacked while I did this half a mile solo and without my pack, then I waited while they went around together without their packs.
We had so much time to kill -- it was only noon and Nancy was to arrive at 5pm down at the border parking area. We sat, ate, talked, and looked at all our scars.
Cohos Trail Badges of Honor --
 |
| Wasp stings |
After spending an hour hanging about, we decided to descend and spend our remaining four hours close to the parking area.
Heading down, back toward border patrol...
Hooray! We are now officially finished the Cohos Trail!
We were so excited with our accomplishment that we goofed and walked right through the gated area to get to the border patrol parking area. DO NOT DO THIS. In the Databook, it clearly states to go around the fenced area. We were distracted with talking with each other and forgot what the Databook says. As we walked through, the border patrol fellow stuck his head out the checkpoint's window and politely asked us not to walk through -- he said there were signs everywhere and seemed annoyed that we didn't see them. I profusely apologized and he was then very nice about it. Later, after we were waiting by the parking area, I wondered why we had not seen the signs he had been talking about. Here's why -- THEY DO NOT FACE THE COHOS TRAIL.
There ARE signs asking hikers to go around the fenced area...the problem is, they face the parking area. When a northbound Cohos Trail hiker finishes her hike, there are ZERO signs facing her to show her where to go -- you cannot see the way to walk as you are coming down from the trail. The most obvious way to go is right through the driving section.
Therefore, Powers That Be, please suggest to border patrol that they erect signs that actually face the hikers coming down from the Cohos Trail.
In the meantime....take the cross-walk...
...then turn right and walk along this fence to the parking area.
We hung out here and played cards for almost four hours until Nancy Spaulding arrived, punctual as always. Note that we could not call her to ask for an earlier pick-up time because there is NO CELL RECEPTION at the border. Therefore, make sure you have planned in advance for a pick-up and make sure you understand you have no way of contacting anyone once you are north of Pittsburgh. You will have ZERO cell/internet reception the last two days of your hike.
Nancy dropped us off in Lancaster, where our friend John Myers picked us up and drove us home (thanks, John!!).
I don't normally post selfies, but I'll add this one here. I dropped ten pounds on this hike, which I've managed to keep off with a steady diet of daily exercise and wise food choices. Nothing like a thru-hike to get you into shape quickly.
So that's our Cohos Trail Adventure. This weekend, I will add a page of general tips and contact info regarding places to stay, cell/internet reception areas, etc. Of course, the main tip is to buy and carry the Databook and the Maps, which can be ordered through the Cohos Trail's website.
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