Tri-State U (MA, CT, NY)

[tbakpartyrock]

The Tri-State U (MA, CT, NY) is a non-established name for a route that goes thru Mass, CT, and NY. It crosses over 8 peaks in three states including the highest peak and point (not the same) in CT.


The route is ~27-28 miles long and ~+9.8k ft elevation gain / -9.8k ft elevation loss (according to my only track of it, which might have been a little generous).

GPS track below
connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/572230896

I did this route as presented below a couple years back (slow run / hike) and have intentions to do it again to possibly establish a baseline FKT that I would hope people might be interested in besting.


The route is a “U”, with the start and finish at different points.  Though close enough to connect via bike (that's how I do it solo) or even road run, in the interest of a trail running FKT, I would present the times pertaining only to the actual trail running “U” portion below.


The start is at the AT on Jug End Road in MA and finish near Catamount Ski Area on Nicholson Road, off of RT23/Hillsdale Road in MA. If anyone wants to reverse it, that’s possible.



Here is the route as I did in 2014:

Note – There are two slight deviations from the South Taconic Trail portion which I feel follow a more natural flow of the trail and also provide better access to water



- Park car at Catamount Ski Area

- Bike over to the start on Jug End Road in MA (If anyone wants a GPS track of the connecting bike route, I can provide it, along with one major wrong turn and hill climb!)



- START - Take AT South up to Jug End

- continue down south along the AT

- over Mt. Bushnell

- past Guilder Pond

- over Mt. Everett

- over Mt. Race

- down into Sages Ravine
(Water point)
- up into CT

- over Bear Mt
(highest peak in CT)
- West on Bear Mountain Road (woods road)

- North onto Mt.Washington Road/East Street heading North to Mt.Frissell Trail

- West onto Mt.Frissell Trail over Round Mt.

- skirt along side of Mt.Frissell over the CT high point

- pass the Tri-state marker into NY

- Junction with the South Taconic Trail

- Quick South out & back on South Taconic Trail to tag Brace Mt

- North along the South Taconic Trail
 passing back and forth thru NY and MA

- up and over Alander Mt. continuing North on the STT
- down to the UPPER Bash Bish Falls (water point) Note - this is a step descent, but fun! and the top of the falls provide far better water access then the bottom, however, this may be a potential water crossing hazard around times of recent rainfall).
- West along the trail following down Bash Bish falls then West to the main parking area on 344

- Cross 344 North, onto Cedar Brook Trail, following it North rejoining the South Taconic Trail (this deviation from the STT follows a more natural flow, and the Cedar Brook Trail is quite nicer than the STT at this point)

- North along South Taconic Trail up over Catamount Ski Area

- Descend down (trail runs down Catamount for a bit) to Nicholson Road / Route 23 – END



Here is a link to my 2014 trek. It is not intended to stand as any FKT, but rather a map and elevation profile as best captured by my GPS that day.



connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/572230896






On Sunday, 03Jul2016, I do intend to repeat the route above with the following specifications:



- Solo, Un-supported

- Water will be filtered with Sawyer mini at Sages Ravine and Bash Bish

- Bike will be dropped at END, then will drive myself to the start at Jug End Road

- GPS track will be started at Jug End Road AT and stopped at Nicholson Rd/ RT 23



As far as verification, I will post a link to the garmin track, or can provide any other possible exported form of it.

I’ll take some pics along the way, but have no intentions of posting them outside of personal Facebook.

I have run with Art Byram who recently posted an FKT on the Metacomet Trail and I also intend to link this post to a FB group (CT trailmixers) who could possibly vouch for me.



Aside from setting an actual "FKT", my true intention is really just to present this fun tri-state route to others and to try to run it again as best I can.

I really hope I can post up a good track and that someone out there is willing to run the route and set a faster time!

[tbakpartyrock]

So 03Jul2016 I ran the above route as intended (tho slower than what i hoped for).

Here is the garmin GPS track for the route as described above:

connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1240433500

Miles: 27.46
Total time: 7:46:55
Moving Time : 6:21:04
Total Avg pace: 17:01 min/mile
Moving Avg Pace : 13:53 min/mile
Elevation Gain/Loss : +9k / -9K

Some notes from start to finish:
- The route starts with an immediate climb, then eventually settles into some nice running on the AT
- Everett downhill is probably the most tech section with slab rock
- The downhill after Race (ridge section) is a freaking blast, but use it wisely
- Refilling at Sages Ravine (~9 miles) is a good spot
- The climb out of Sages Ravine is probably the hardest section of extended climb, i used poles, but took them out too soon after Sages Ravine - wait until you actually hit the uphill
- There is a side path (right) off of the Bear Mountain Road trail - the actual trail continues to the left
- Round mt is a quick climb, Frissell is definitely harder / longer than it seems
- The South Taconic Trail descending to Alander is probably the best place for speed
- The 0.8 climb to Alander is the hardest section
- The trail to the top of Bash Bish Falls used to be blazed blue - it appears they colored the blazes black/brown - the trail is still evident, and follows closely the edge of the falls as it descends
- The descent to the top of Bash Bish falls is a quad killer 
- The climb out of the top of Bash Bish falls is straight up following the cables which goes up then down to the upper parking lot.
- The above descent/climb and descent to the actual Bash Bish parking area is where i killed my quads - be cautious
- Cedar Brook trail is a long climb up to the STT
- Once you get to back to the STT its just a up/down ride before you finally pop out at Catamount
- The descent down Catamount is killer - think thigh high grass ski-slope fun
- Look to the left for a metal gate that is spray painted white for the STT
- After the above, the trail goes back up one of the ski slopes, then down a woods road for a bit then climbs back into the woods

Overall, I'm satisfied with my time/effort, but struggled with my quads from the descent to Upper Bash Bish falls to the end.  Definitely was short on salt today.  I think a different shoe (I have a bit too much fwd slide in mine) and more salt would have kept the quads working prime.  The last 6 miles was a struggle with too much powerhiking and the descent from Catamount was too slow.
Looking at my stopped time, there was way too much time lost.  I felt the 2 stops to filter could have been quicker with a different system (i used a sawyer mini), but not sure what would be lighter.  
I stopped and talked a little too much - stopped on Brace to talk to a paraglider and on Alander to a kid that actually lived close to my area.  Also stopped and helped a couple looking for a loose dog.  Can't say it wasn't worth it, but the stopped time does add up.

I think I'd like to try the run again, but maybe just to Bash Bish - the section beyond Bash Bish (Falls Road/344 to Catamount just isnt worth it). Keeping it short and fast to Bash Bish would be more fun.

I hope others see this route and give it a shot - would love to see what's an actual good time one it!  Any questions, post up and I'll try to help out!

[Nate Davis]

Funny, I just sent out a blast e-mail to some local runners for a very similar route we're doing on August 28th, which I dubbed "The Taconic Traverse". Major difference is that we're starting at Mt. Everett Rd, heading around Guilder Pond, then following almost your exact route , and ending at Bash Bish. The plan is to stop at Sage's and Bash Bish for swims. I'm figuring this is just shy of 20 miles and 5,000 feet of gain. Does that sound right to you?

Sounds like you had a good time -- glad to hear that the descent from Mt Race is as fun as it looks on paper!

[tbakpartyrock]

Hi Nate! Your run sounds like a lot of fun and those numbers seem about right! That's the easiest and best way to link up the sides for spotting cars. Report back and let me know the exact mileage and vert - i might use your route for a group I run with.

Hope we get some rain and the water levels increase. Not sure about actual swimming at Sages, but there should def be enough water at Bash Bish to relax in.

Have fun and enjoy it!

[Dan Rosenthal]

I'm going to attempt for a solo unsupported fkt on TH 4/20 following the same route. I assume there is a trail from Alander to the Upper Falls?

[Dan Rosenthal]

I may modify your route slightly as a high water precaution and stick to the STT instead of hitting the upper falls.

[Dan Rosenthal]

I ran the tri-state u today in 7:05:10 and followed the route except I did not depart from the STT. I forgot to reset my gps before starting the jog back to my car so the activity time is 7:08. I hit the ascents hard seeking some crs so the legs were a little tired later in the day. I also stopped to take pictures and filter water along the way. You laid out a great route. However, with all due respect I didn't agree the deviation from the STT. Bash Bish Falls are great but sometimes one route or one trail can't take in everything. The blazes covered up means the trail is closed. It wouldn't be fair to future runners seeking an fkt to face a deteriorating trail as part of the route. It seems that the STT could be safer in high water conditions. Also, it is a simpler route - basically take the AT down over Bear cut across, out & back to Brace and up the STT. I realize that my decision might cost me the fkt or perhaps I have an fkt on a slightly modified route. I just don't see a route catching on that is overly complicated. My modified route might not catch on either but maybe it has a slightly better chance? Here is a link to my strava activity:
www.strava.com/activities/950948350

[Dan Rosenthal]

Just to clarify the elapsed time for the loop was 7:05:10. I created a strava segment called tri-state u which can verify that time. When I finished I still had a 3+ mile jog back to my car. I remembered to stop the gps but unfortunately forgot to reset it so when I started jogging the time kept rolling and in the process I also erased whatever my moving time was. I definitely made stops along the way for pics and water filtration.

[Dan Rosenthal]

Final Thoughts: My time of 7:05 won't be terribly hard to beat with a serious attempt and good weather conditions. It had rained the night before my attempt so in the morning the rocks were wet and slick. I had to exercise caution coming off Mt. Everett. Also, I didn't taper for this and ran it in the middle of a 2nd straight 100mi week and I hit the early ascents hard which I paid for later on the Alander and Sunset Rock ascents. If I was seeking the fastest over all time I would hold back more on these early ascents. I also struggled to find a rhythm as much of the route wasn't overly runnable. A couple times I began to find my stride coming in to Sages but then had to stop and filter water. I found my stride again on Bear Mtn Road but then tried my best to give directions to a couple ladies on Mt. Washington Rd. Finally I found my stride from Brace to right before the Alander ascent but then had to stop to filter water again. The temperatures were in the 60s - not bad but I'm not used to it yet coming off a long cold winter.

[Dan Rosenthal]

Also bashed my toe on a rock ascending Round Mtn. I couldn't bear weight on it for a couple strides but then I didn't notice it again until later in the shower when it didn't look quite right. Fortunately, I don't think I fractured it.

[Dan Rosenthal]

I forgot one last thing. Following the STT through Catamount Ski Area is a little tricky once you emerge on the ski slope. You leave the slope and go through the woods to a clearing. The trail goes straight across the clearing before emerging onto a dirt road. I spent a few minutes hunting for the trail in this area.

[anon]

Apr 22, 2017 10:23:54 GMT -5 Dan Rosenthal said:

I forgot one last thing. Following the STT through Catamount Ski Area is a little tricky once you emerge on the ski slope. You leave the slope and go through the woods to a clearing. The trail goes straight across the clearing before emerging onto a dirt road. I spent a few minutes hunting for the trail in this area.

I can't imagine anyone really going after this.  This is just a run you did, and are trying to attach a FKT to it.  Just stick to some of the main FKTs man.  

[Peter Bakwin]

Apr 28, 2017 8:54:48 GMT -5 anon said:

I can't imagine anyone really going after this.  This is just a run you did, and are trying to attach a FKT to it.  Just stick to some of the main FKTs man.  

I don't know. It seems like at least 2 people think it's a worthy route (Dan and the OP). It can certainly be tricky to decide if a route is logical and worthy or "just a run you did", especially for those not familiar with the area. ?

[neil]

Actually, this is the quickest way to bag 8 significant peaks in the Taconic range. You take the AT, Bear Mtn. Connector, and the Taconic Trail... simple as that. All of these are well-marked. I will be giving this one a shot in a few weeks. I just wish it was a complete loop to do away with the 3 mile road section back to the car.

[Dan Rosenthal]

Good luck Neil!