Date: 2014-08-03
From: Grafton Notch

To: Pine Ellis Hostel via South Arm Road
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Went out hiking today to figure out the plan for the rest of the trip - Big Dawg's foot is still super sore enough where he cannot walk much on it so I need to decide - should I stay or should I go? A walk in the woods will help me figure this out.So I continued the planned slacking alone today - planning to do Grafton Notch to East B Hill Rd. Rode out with her grandson to the notch - an interesting talk about his life and growing medical marijuana in Rhode Island - apparently it is legal to grow it there. Probably will not ever use the information but still cool to learn new things.It was a good start to the day - the trail was nice from Grafton to Baldpate Lean-To and without the pack I was making great time - it also helped that the day was sunny and nice! Moving along at two miles an hour I kept rolling on past the shelter and started the climbs up to the Baldpate Peaks - the first Baldpate Peak was a nice climb and the second peak was nice except for a somewhat steep climb up rock ledge steps. Luckily the steps were not super high so it wasn't as bad.A great view from the Baldpate east peak - decided to take a break up there and call my momma to talk things over with her. She had already talked with Big Dawg and she came to the same conclusion I did - he wouldn't be able to make it along without suffering and it didn't make sense for me to stop being so close to the end. It helps that Big Dawg is retired - he can come back and do parts as he has time. The plan is to meet up at Katahdin after he rests his foot up.After talking with momma and Big Dawg I decided to pick up an extra day by extending the slack from 10.3 to 20.4 miles. This should be feasible since I have been making good time all morning.The initial down from the Baldpate mountains was steep but it soon smoothed out and became a nice descent. Passed by Dunn Falls - a cool 60 ft double falls that was really flowing fast! I didn't go to the base of the falls but had a nice view of it from above. Reached East B Hill Road and kept on rolling - a pond was coming up ahead and it seemed like a good place for lunch. Ran into a group of section hikers going from Grafton Notch to Stratton taking a break - a nice group of people to talk with while resting! They left ahead of me but after I started moving a caught up and was walking alone again - still sometimes an odd experience after hiking so long with a hiking buddy!The climb up to Wyman Mountain was not too bad but a little annoying going through overgrown trail and getting scraped up by the evergreen trees! Near the shelter I ran into a Boy Scout Troop out doing a section of the trail. I talked to them about doing the trail and rested before moving on - one tough climb left to go!Boy it was a tough one too - especially at the end of the day! The climb down into Sawyer Notch was not too bad but the other side was very steep and dangerous in some parts! The trail wasn't maintained well up the climb but I made it to the top and sat down and rested - I didn't stop on the way up and I needed a break!I beat my timeline to the South Arm Road pickup but I didn't have to wait long - Big Dawg was following me on the Spot website so he knew I was going to get in a little bit earlier than expected! The hostel wasn't very busy tonight so it was an uneventful evening. We ate at that the general store in town - delicious food and generous portions! Big Dawg's foot was still not feeling better so he wasn't going to hike tomorrow - he is going to head home and rest up his foot before I reach Katahdin. I decided to walk tomorrow and get back early enough to hang out with Big Dawg and make sure I am set up to finish the trail by myself - sad to see him go but it is better for him and his foot!