Date: 2007-07-28
From: Sages Ravine Campsite

To: The Jug End
Miles today: 9.0

Sit don't standI woke up at 8 to rain so I fell back asleep until 10 when the sun came out. I packed up all my stuff, ate a bagel with cream cheese, and drank some yerba mate before heading out. Sages ravne brook was flowing nicley from the rain we got last night and the few days before. The trail followed the brook downstream for a mile or so over slippery rocks and roots. I found the largest cascade that the trail passes and climbed down to the water level. I took some photos and sat there for about an hour. It was one of those places that you feel at one with the world. A sort of timelessness where everything sems perfect. My solace was broken when chef, a fellow thru hiker, showed up. He was the first nobo that I have seen in 3 days. We sat there together for a while then I hiked on and stopped again at the "Welcome to Mass" sign, though we were already technically in Mass. I had some day hikers take my picture then I started the long gradual climb up race mountain. At the first viewpoint I ran into ridgerunner nick and chef. We ate lunch together and sat talking for a while. Today was one of those days where more sitting happens than hiking. After a long lunch break I hiked up the exposed rocky ridge of Race Mtn enjoying the steep drop off to the right and the valley views almost 2000ft down. The summit was filled with bonzi looking pine trees that are naturally that short from the wind they deal with. I stopped again at the peak of race and sat alone for a bit before moving on. The trail then went down and steeply back up to Mt Everett at 2602ft. There wasn't as grand a view as on race, but I stopped again up there. It just feels good to be on top of mountains. At the base of Everett I took a blue blaze trail to guilder pond. I got into my bathing suit and washed my clothes in the pond then dove in and washed myself. I spent about an hour on the smooth rocks next to the pond soaking in the sun as my clothes were drying. Once the sun went behind some clouds I got dressed and hiked .5 to hemlocks lean-to. I grabbed water and signed the register and hiked on. I should have just stayed there because after 5 min of walking it started to rain. I put on my pack cover and put my camera pouch away and walked the 2 more miles to the jug end in a steady downpour. I finally found a good campspot and set up my tarp to get out of the rain. The mosquitos were starting to bite despte the rain, thats when I realized they meant business tonight. When the bugs are bad I put on my rain gear with the hood over my head. I don't even bother with bug repelant, that stuff is no good for ya. I get hot and sweat, but at least I am not getting bitten. The mosq! uitos were so bad tonight, I don't ever think I've seen them so dense before. Even with my rain gear on they bit through the holes in my crocs, my hands, and my face. I cooked and ate as fast as I could and jumped into my hammock to escape their wrath. I have them beat once zipped in the hammock. Sleeping on top of my open sleeping bag works perfectly. I can hear them swarming around me, but muah ha ha they can't get my sweet blood. Today's StatsStarting Point:Sages Ravine CampsiteEnding Point:The Jug EndMileage:9.0Elevation Gain:2310ftElevation Loss:2150ftHiking Time:7:49Weather:morning rain, hot humid hazyPain Factor:2