Covid Hikers Leave Mark at Birchbank Trail Register

The Birchbank Overlook

The Paugussett Trail register at the Birchbank overlook has become a bit of a time capsule as the Covid pandemic continues.  Even though many people likely are not touching it (because it could be contaminated by other hikers), there are still many more entries than in the past. 

Trail Register near the overlook

The register box is getting more attention from trail users as well. There's been some graffiti scratched into the boards. And someone left a hand-carved mini-totem pole from Alaska. The style goes with the coyote wood burning on the box, so it was temporarily removed with the idea of replacing it later with improvements to keep it safer from the elements and hikers. 

A page in the trail register from March 2020

The register book starts out with sporadic entries from winter and early March, and then suddenly there is a surge in entries as the state shutdown began and the only way to get out of the house was to go for a walk. The trails were mobbed. Here are some select entries from March to August. Click on the photos to enlarge if necessary. 

Future generations might not understand

42 miles! Why not?

 

And it's only April 7. 

Our family starting watching the The Walking Dead, too.

And then painted rocks became a thing in Shelton

This spot was one of the pandemic
"Out and About" challenge sites in Shelton

The Paugussett can be backpacked, with camping at Webb Mtn.

Some people still get lost without even trying.

Young, but wise. 

That pretty much sums up summer hiking.

The summer of our discontent... 

Must have come in via Indian Well over Burritt's Rocks

That's some serious mushrooming

And then Storm Isaias struck...