Sep 10 - Maine

DAY #151
START LOCATION: ME-15/Monson, ME
FINISH LOCATION: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 15.1
TRIP MILEAGE: 2,079.7
MILES TO GO: 99.4

I was awake at 6AM, still with some lingering plumbing issues, but no more zeroes for me. It was time to hike. I was ready otherwise. My first and only double-zero was perfectly timed and very much enjoyed. My body and mind thoroughly benefitted from it. I grabbed some breakfast at the gas station while NLC kindly took my box of items I was mailing home to the post office. By 8AM, we were hopping in Rebekah's pickup for our shuttle back to the trailhead. We hugged her goodbye as if we were life long friends. She has that kind of personality and made us feel like we were leaving home. Her's is one of the best trail supporting businesses.

The slight rain began as soon as we hit the trail. It felt like it might be a long day. But, we were fortunate. It never amounted to much and I generally stayed dry the whole day. I hiked in and out with Casper and NLC throughout the morning. The trail had lots of typical Maine rocky and rooty terrain, but the gorges and waterfalls we were cruising past were beautiful. We saw Little Wilson Falls, a gushing 60-footer, Vaughn Stream waterfall and Slugundy Gorge. By far the best day on the AT for a waterfall enthusiast like myself.

At Wilson Valley Lean-to, about 10 miles in, Casper, NLC and I decided that stopping at Little Pond Stream Lean-to for the night would be best. Pushing to Cloud Pond Lean-to another 4 miles would be cutting it too close on daylight. We hiked those last 4.7 together and we had some great trail experience conversation to pass the time.

At Little Pond Stream, we met some section hikers and a pair of May 18th start thru-hikers. One of which was 16 years old. The other was older and wrapping up his "triple crown". That is, he's hiked the Pacific Crest trail and the Continental Divide Trail... The other two longest trails in the US. They were planning on summitting on 9/16, which will put them just under 4 months to complete the hike... Very impressive.

Big day planned tomorrow with the nice weekend weather forecasted. This will take us over Barren Mountain and Chairback. The Hundred Mile Wilderness start was great today and with the nice weather we do not expect day 2 to disappoint either.

-natedog