Huffhike

Thru-Hiking the Midstate Trail: Mud, Miles & A Little Tom Petty Wisdom

From May 24 to May 27, I thru-hiked the Midstate Trail, a 92-mile trail running through central Massachusetts. I had given myself five days to finish it, but thanks to some unexpectedly big-mile days, I wrapped it up a bit quicker than planned (and I’m definitely feeling it now as I write this).
I’m not totally sure what the best way to blog about a trail is, but breaking it down day-by-day feels the most natural to me, so here goes.

Day 1: Kicking Off the Midstate Trail
I woke up around 6 a.m., did some doomscrolling, checked the weather, and got a ride to the trailhead from my younger brother.
Because of how the trail is set up, the first mile or so is essentially a loop back on itself, so the hike started with some redundant footsteps. As we neared the start, I told my brother how great New England is for hiking since black bears are the only “threatening” animal. Just as the words left my mouth, a black bear came stumbling down the trail. That was the first bear I’ve ever seen on trail, despite years of hiking and even spotting moose before on two separate occasions.
I took the usual “start of the thru-hike” selfie and hit the trail.
The weather was typical New England: light drizzle, on and off. With the recent rain, the trail had turned into a flowing stream, but what else would you expect hiking in New England.
By noon, I was eating lunch in the parking lot of a flower shop. A few hours later, I crossed the overpass I usually drive under on my way to work, which was a cool full-circle moment. I hiked on to Crow Hill and made camp there for the night.

Day 2: Tom Petty Made Me Hike an Ultramarathon
I woke up shivering at 4 a.m. The night before the trip, I’d debated between bringing my 30-degree or 50-degree sleeping bag. The forecast said 45, so I chose the 50. Stupid idea I know.
Being that cold definitely motivates you to move, so by 5:30 a.m., I was packed up and hiking, wet socks and all.
I soon reached the ski lot at Mount Wachusett and spotted a massive line of porta-potties. Relieved, I ran toward them… only to find every single one locked. Pretty shitty way to start the morning (pun intended). Naturally, I put on some Red Hot Chili Peppers to shift my mood and summited Wachusett.
As I descended, I noticed a bright blue shape near the summit parking lot: an unlocked porta-potty. That tiny win turned my day around.
The Midstate doesn’t offer huge views or dramatic peaks, but it’s full of quiet beauty: spiderwebs, blooming lady slippers, and all kinds of fun shaped trees.
By lunch, I reached Barre Falls Dam (mile 41.4). I checked my Google spreadsheet (no FarOut for this trail, so I was using AllTrails) and saw that shelters were at mile 48.2 and mile 55.6. With rain in the forecast, I decided to aim for the closer one.
While approaching the first shelter, Tom Petty’s Crawling Back to You came on. The lyric “Most things I worry about never happen anyway” took my mind on a wild adventure and I got lost in thought. I then completely walked past the shelter, and didn’t realize it until I passed the halfway marker.
At that point, I figured I was committed and pushed on to Buck Hill Shelter. My Baker’s cyst hated every step. But I made it to the shelter before dark. Logging around 35 miles on the day. I stretched, massaged my legs with a cork ball, and braced for the pain tomorrow.

Day 3: From Coyotes to Campgrounds – One Long, Indecisive Day
I fell asleep to the sound of coyotes howling. Which was an odly peaceful way to fall asleep.
After the previous day’s mileage, I hoped to sleep in, but by 6 a.m., the local birds were evicting me from the shelter I was borrowing from them. So, I packed up and hit the trail.
I noticed on my map that a Walmart was about a mile off-trail from an upcoming road crossing. I figured I’d grab some fruit, a knee brace, and Tiger Balm for the cyst. I stuck out my thumb and after a few cars passed, got a ride.
I grabbed what I needed, ate my fruit, and tried hitching back, with no luck. So I walked the mile back to the trailhead and resumed hiking.
Just like the last two days: mud, mud, and more mud.
I eventaully hit the start of another road walk . So I stopped to debate my water options. Being picky, I refused to drink from a tea color stained stream a mile prior. Luckily, some section hikers pulled up and, after some chatting, offered me some water. We snapped a photo (probably floating around a Facebook group somewhere), and I moved on.
Eventually, I reached Four Chimneys Parking Lot, just 10 miles from my resupply point in Oxford. I figured I’d hike into town, resupply, and crash at a hotel.
Problem: I never checked if there was a hotel nearby.
At Carol’s Pizza, I ordered a pepperoni pizza and asked how to get to Market Basket. I said I was going to hitch. The owner looked at me like I had five heads and kindly insisted I take an Uber instead. He let me leave my pack while I went.
After resupplying, I returned, crushed my pizza, and realized: no hotels anywhere nearby. I had two options either hike 7 miles to the next wooded section, or hike 4 miles to a campground that was a mile off trail.
I called Sutton Falls Campground and asked the only question that mattered: “Do you have a shower?” They did, and they closed in two hours. I booked a site and hustled.
The owner gave me a discount and a powered site which I greatly appreciated. I pitched my tent, took a shower and dried off with the face cloth I usually use to wipe tent condensation. I then checked my watch: 30 miles again. So much for a short day.
I had five blisters per foot, two sore knees, and a full belly of pizza. I stretched, took Advil, and crashed hard.

Day 4: Pained and Drained
I woke up wicked sore from two straight 30-mile days. But I only had 12 miles left, so I started moving, with a podcast and some determination.
The day began with a four-mile road walk. Normally I hate those, but this one had pretty views: farmhouses, classic New England homes, and nice open fields. Eventually, I reached Douglas State Forest after passing through a few people’s backyards.I was in full struggle-bus mode, taking breaks nearly every mile to rest my feet. I reflected on how last spring, I did this section to prep for the Long Trail and it seemed so much eaiser. Wild how things come full circle.
After a bunch of slow miles and sore stops, I finally reached the southern terminus. I took a photo to mark the moment… and just like that, started walking the North-South Trail.
Final Thoughts
Thru-hiking the Midstate Trail was an unforgettable adventure.
Navigating without FarOut was harder than I expected. And, honestly, not having anyone to talk to at the end of each day was brutal (thank god for books. Lol).
But there’s something peaceful and grounding about this trail. The Midstate doesn’t scream for attention, it just shows you the little beauty that is in central Massachusetts .
If I were to do it again, I’d probably section hike it. But even with the blisters, soggy shoes, and sore legs, it was worth it.

Happy trails!