Date: 2018-08-05
From: Popular Ridge Lean-to

To: Crocker Cirque
Miles today: 14.2

It seems that I had a bit of pity party hangover when I woke up this morning. After finishing up the downer journal entry, I went about my morning chores. I poured hot water from my pot into a ziplock freezer bag containing oatmeal and a heap of butter. Then I added some coffee to the water still in the pot. Somewhere during my oats and coffee breakfast I decided I needed an attitude adjustment. It was time to get back to embracing whatever the trail gives me. Time to start looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and excel in every situation. If a yellow brick road led me to Katahdin, then it wouldn¢t be much of an accomplishment to make it there. So, I¢ll consider it a privilege to have a rocky, rooty and muddy path the rest of the way. If it rains every day for the next two weeks, I¢ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest that surrounds me; like the myriad of mushrooms I have been coming across the past few days. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Or how about the dozens of frogs I see every day? And when I get a sunny day, a clear view from a vista, or a soft trail, I will give thanks.After I finished breakfast and my kick in the ¢fourth point of contact¢ I finished packing up and hit the trail at 0800 after I apologized for spewing negativity to the two hikers who shared the shelter with me last night. From the lean-to, the trail commenced a steep decline to Orberton Stream. I passed by a few hikers coming up the hill and they warned me that I would have to ford the swollen stream. I decided to leave my muddy shoes on, seeing it as an opportunity to clean them up a bit. In spots, the swift moving cold water was over my knees. Nonetheless, I made it to the other bank in short order. Once there I took off my shoes and rang out my socks and let my shoes and feet dry for a few minutes. Immediately after the stream crossing the trail began the 1,700¢ ascent up Lone Mountain. The first few hundred yards of the climb was very steep and filled with large rocks to maneuver over and around. With my new and improved attitude I just floated right through it. After the initial craziness, the trail moderated in grade and texture. About halfway up the mountain I started seeing signs of moose. A game trail cut through a grassy area to the right of the AT. The whole area was thick with vegetation. I paused for a minute and then over to my right front I saw a big dark blob about 75 yards out. It could just be a boulder or a downed tree stump, but rocks and trees don¢t move! The big blob moved on stilted legs headed diagonally towards the trail above me. Imagine a triangle, where I am at one point, the moose is at another, and where an imaginary line from the moose¢s snout to the intersection of the AT was the third point. The large specimen dipped out of sight as it continued to slowly move forward, grazing along the way. When it did, I crept my way up to the third point on the triangle. Once I found a good vantage point I stood and waited for about 15 minutes. I never saw or heard another sign of Mr. Moose. I eased my way up and over Lone Mountain eventually arriving at the Spaulding Mountain Lean-to. With the exception of a couple of busy squirrels, the spot was empty. It was a good place to get water and eat lunch while my feet and shoes aired out a bit.I hit the trail again around 2PM and started a steep climb up Spaulding Mountain.  Next came Sugar Loaf Mountain. The AT crossed both peaks below their summit. A side trail led to the top of each peak, but I felt I needed to keep moving to make camp at a decent time. Both mountains stand over 4,000 feet. I believe there are a total of 76 peaks over 4K in New England. It is a thing to ¢bag¢ all of the peaks. As such, I saw several day hikers making their way up to the peaks via the AT. I stopped and chatted with several of them as well as a few SOBOs and Flip Floppers. I hadn¢t seen any NOBOs since hitting the trail yesterday. The trail worked its way around the side of Sugar Loaf, opening up to some great views among the Alpine dwarf evergreens. One spot offered a spectacular view of the Rapid Stream Valley and Abraham Mountain. At another spot I got a glimpse of the Carrabassett Valley and Crocker Mountains (tomorrow¢s climbs). Then came the steepest descent of the day, down to the Carrabassett River. It was as if there was a boulder explosion on the side of the mountain. Of course, the AT went right through it. I had fun picking my way through the maze of rocks. A foot board was anchored between two rocks on the river, making it an easy crossing. From there I climbed the first mile of South Crocker Mtn to the Crocker Cirque Campsite. I ended up ¢stealthing¢ at a spot right next to the AT, where it intersected with the blue blaze leading to the camp site. It was dusk by the time I pitched my tent and fixed dinner. While I was eating, five NOBOs came by. All but one headed to the top of the mountain. One young lady had an August 15th flight booked out of Boston. She and her two friends had to average 22 miles a day between here and Katahdin and had only a one day window to summit. I feel a little better about my plan now.It was more of the same terrain today as yesterday. The difference was a little sunshine and a whole lot better attitude. Let¢s see if I can keep it up on the rest of the muddy, rocky, and rooty path to Mt K.Big, big day tomorrow. I bet you will never guess what it is.Peace and BlessingsNext StepElevation Data:Ascent - 4.115Descent - 4,340Grade - 11.3Weather:Day - 78 / Mostly SunnyNight - 65 / ClearOver The Horizon: The Bigelows