Day 24 - Saturday, July 27, 2019

Monson ME (ME 15) to Cloud Pond Lean To - 19.1 Miles

Felt good today, good food and rest in town on Friday.   Ten of us hiked out together this morning at 8:30 (The 3 below, plus Bookbag, Moss, Starcrunch, Rugs, Granddad and Just Dad) but only four of us ended up together tonight (Pirate, Highlander and Snowcap).  The others stopped several miles back at the previous Lean To.  Since we have a food drop together on Tuesday morning we need to stick together.  The whole group is planning to summit on Friday.   The terrain was fair with some rocks and roots but lots of “Puds” or “Pointless Ups and Downs”.   

Highlander and Pirate at Barren Mtn Overlook

Looking from overlook to the top of Barren Mtn.

Day 23 - Friday, July 26, 2019

Shaw’s Hostel - Monson, ME - 0 Miles

Today is all about prep and rest.  There are four of us hiking as a group for the next three days or at least we are camping in the same location.   We are combining a food drop at the midpoint and we need to be together.  As we made our plans we made two plans.  One aggressive and the other more conservative.   The next three days is the difficult part of the 100 Mile Wilderness afterwards the trail levels out.   I will be hiking with: Highlander, Snow Cap and Pirate.  The general plan is to arrive at the Base of Katahdin on Thursday night.   Three of us will go to AT Lodge in Millinocket.  Snow Cap, Pirate and Highlander will Summit on Friday and I will wait until Monday.

Rest

Shaw Hostel,  Monson, ME

Day 22 - Thursday, July 25, 2019

Bald Mtn Brook Lean-To to Monson, (ME 15) - 22 Miles

Weather was nice again today.  It was chilly this morning but warmed quickly.   Highlander and I left camp at 5:30.  We had an immediate 2 mile climb up to the summit of Moxie Bald for a great view.   After the climb we hiked up and down the Maine countryside for the next 16 miles.   We did have two River fords which cooled us off .   At the end of day we had another long climb as we headed toward the highway.  We got to the highway (ME 15) a little after 3:00 and was at Shaw’s Hiker Hostel by 3:30.   Tomorrow is a “Zero” to rest, resupply, and plan out the 100 mile wilderness (last week on the trail).   My general plan is to leave out on Saturday morning.   I will not have phone service until I get to Millnocket on Thursday.  I plan to wait until Monday, August 5 to summit in hopes that Lisa, Danny and Tracey (my dear friends Richmond, VA) can be here.   Danny is planning to summit with me.

The following NoBo hikers are in Monson planning to start the 100 mile wildernesses on Saturday:   Pirate, Papa Smurf, Highlander, Starcrunch, Moss, and Snowcap.  

Moxie Bald Summit

Highlander fording the Piscataquis River 

Day 21 - Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Pierce Pond Lean To to Bald Mtn Brook Lean To - 18.7 miles

Well the day started with a pancake breakfast at Harrison’s Pierce Pond Cabin.  Which was a 10 min walk from the Lean To.  What an enjoyable start as 8 of us had coffee, a doz. pancakes each and good conversation.  Afterwards 6 of the 8 who were heading northbound took off for the Kennabac River 3.5 miles away to catch the Canoe ferry which started at 9.   We arrived at about 8:45.  It was 9:45 before I made across the river as I was in the fourth group of two to go across.   On the other side we all walked to Caratunk B&B for resupply ( I had a box mailed there) and milkshakes.  Yes, I had a large choc. milkshake before 10:30 am.    After packing away the resupply of food, finishing my milkshake and checking messages via WiFi (no phone signal again today). I headed out to the Bald Mtn Lean To with the others which was about 15 miles away.   I hiked with Highlander today from Leesburg, VA.  We are closer in age and a lot more companiable in hiking speed.  We arrived to the Lean To just after 5 and seven of us are here together.  The 6 others include (Starcrunch, Moss, Papa Smurf, Pirate, White Cap and Highlander).  

The plan is to get up early (4:30 am) and hike to Monson  tomorrow (22 miles).

Paddling across the Kennebac River in a canoe with a white blaze painted in the bottom

I slept on the shore of this beautiful

Pond on Tuesday night.

Day 20 - Tuesday, July 23, 2019

East Flagstaff Rd to Pierce Pond Lean-to -16.3 miles.  

Wow the trail was great today.   Starcrunch, Moss and I left the hostel around 8:00 and got back to the trail at 8:40.   We had two small mountains to go over and the trail leveled out. There were some rocks and roots but the trail was pretty open.  The ponds along the way were so peaceful.

We arrived at the Lean-to at 2:45.     Quick work, we considered going down to the river but the ferry only runs from 9 to 2.  I would have loved to gone to Caratunk B&B but it’s across the river and no easy or cheap way to get there.   The side benefit is there a great breakfast at Harrison’s 1/3 miles from the Lean To.  So pack up in the morning, go to breakfast then head to river (3.9 miles).  I have a resupply package in Caratunk, so I will swing by the B&B pick up the package and hit the trail toward Monson.

Special thanks to Jax’s Dad for providing me all your research of this section.  I have been using it nightly as I plan.

Hikers met:  Turbo (nb) 19 yr old from Alpharetta.    

A beach along one of the ponds.  The water is warm.

Day 19 - Monday, July 22, 2019

Flagstaff Rd to ME 27 - 16.5 miles

Great day!   Weather was cool but clear.   I hiked (slackpacked) the Bigelows Southbound    today.   I ended back at the hostel of Maine for second evening.  I hiked with Starcrest and Moss who are from Hagerstown.  We covered the 16.5 miles in 7.5 hours.  The first time hiking faster than 2.0 miles/hr this year.  Although this was the last big mountain range until Katahdin the trail is getting better, with less rocks and roots.   The views from the Bigelows were gorgeous!   Avery Peak just moved up to my top three views.   Today I will be hiking to get close to Caratunk.  I would like to be at the River tomorrow at 9:00 when the ferry opens.   

Hikers Met: Highlander (nb), Papa Smurf (nb), Hobbitt (nb), sea crest (nb), Moss (nb),  pirate (nb).

From Avery Peak

Day 18 - Sunday, July 21, 2019

Spaulding Mtn Lean To to ME 27 - 13.5 Miles

Slept well but morning came too early.   Yesterday was a hard day and I was feeling it today.   The temps were high again today with some humidity.  This is not what expected for Maine.   Temps were in the mid 90’s the low last night didn’t get out of the 70’s.  As you see I stopped short of planned destination, I just didn’t have another big climb in me today.

Well I passed the 200 remaining mark and this afternoon I passed the 2,000 mile mark.   Hiked over Spaulding, (Sugarloaf) Cirque and the Crocker’s today.  Tomorrow I will go over the bigelows which is the last 4,000 ft mountain range.   

Milestone this afternoon

Milestone this morning