Sep 7 - Maine

DAY #150
START LOCATION: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
FINISH LOCATION: Monson, ME
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 22.0
TRIP MILEAGE: 2,064.6
MILES TO GO: 114.5

The plan: Up at 5AM and on the trail by 6. I was right on schedule. I packed up my tent and gear and moved it beneath the lean-to's overhang during breakfast. The timing was impeccable. The rain started falling within minutes.

I was on the trail by 6:15 behind Michael J and ahead of El Flaco, Hedgehog and Deja Vu. We had a 1,200' climb up Moxie Bald Mountain which wasn't too bad, especially since the rain eased up during and after our ascent.

At mile 8 we met a pair of dudes with pack goats. It was bizarre. And actually... Illegal. But whatever. They told us the West Branch of the Piscataquis River required fording to cross. There was also a submerged section of trail caused by some nearby beaver damming. Anyway, I typically don't trust people with goats in tow. But, the guy was right. I almost had to ford the 2' deep trail washout, but I figured out I could use my trekking poles to vault myself over the flood. It worked. Able did the same. But, MJ wasn't having it. He just stepped right into the 2' deep water, shoes, socks and all and forded the thing. He's got trail runners and they dry out within hours. My heavy leather boots dry out within days. At the West Branch Piscataquis, it was almost a rock hop. Able and MJ essentially forded it. But, I opted for doffing the boots and socks and getting a nice cold pedi-bath.

MJ, Able and I had lunch at mile 13, aka Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. There, MJ changed into a dry pair of socks. So, when we reached the East Branch of the Piscataquis, and it also required a ford, he was SOL. He had to take his shoes off. We all did this time.

The rest of the hike to ME-15 should have been a cakewalk. But, it wasn't without some tense moments and pain. At about mile 20, MJ was pack leader, Able was in the middle and I was playing sweep. All of a sudden I see Able shout and grab his right calf in pain. Then within nano-seconds I felt needle stabbing pains in my right calf. Then I saw the swarm... Hornets everywhere. I yell "BEES!!! RUN!!!" and all three of us start bolting north at as full a speed our packs would allow... Laughing the whole way. After 30 seconds we stop and assess the situation. MJ poked his trekking pole into a bees nest, Able got 3 leg stings and I got 2... It was that simple.

With throbbing calves and two miles to go, we came in heavy to ME-15, where hitches weren't coming easy. But, a nice college student wrapping up a day hike gave us a ride into Monson.

We met a bunch of hikers at the Lakeshore House, the hostel, pub and grill. MJ and Able knew many, but my 3 week break caused me to be a bit of a stranger. It was good though, I made lots of new acquaintances and could finally put a face to the register signers I've been seeing.

I looked outside after dinner and ecstatic to see two very familiar folks... Sideways and Moonshine. This is a young Tennessee couple I met in Hot Springs, Erwin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey if not more. They were the ones that filmed the black snake eating a chipmunk (see Jun 21). Anyway, we were all just as curious as to why we were seeing each other so late in the game. They said they've just been taking their time in New England. They plan on summitting Katahdin the same day as me... September 17. That will be really cool to have them there.

I have two Zero days planned in Monson. My date of 9/17 to finish is locked in and leaving tomorrow would leave me in the 100 mile wilderness much longer than I'd like... Mostly because I'd have to carry so much food. The rest is much needed and I'm looking forward to taking in the last trail town experience before I wrap this thing up.

-natedog