Date: 2021-09-18
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Nahmakanta Steam Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I woke up at Dawn to a pleasant clear skies. The local that forecasted rain for this morning was apparently wrong. Last night was rather difficult to sleep. The snoring of a shelter was replaced by water cascading down a waterfall. You think that would be relaxing. It is to a certain extent, but not while you're trying to sleep. Fortunately, I had my earbuds and plenty of battery in my phone to listen to music for an hour to help fall asleep. It took me my standard hour to have breakfast and pack up and then I got on the trail by 7:00. I'm really looking forward to a 15 mile day along extremely flat terrain. Let's hope it doesn't rain or thunderstorm later.I was able to hike nearly 5 miles in the first 2 hours. As expected the train was flat. There were lots of pines, hemlocks and a few birch trees in in this section. It followed the river for most of it, which was nice and relaxing. It reminded me of some of the flatter hikes I had gone on in Southern New England. Time for a snack break. I could hear a few gunshots maybe a mile away. At the start of the hike someone mentioned it was the start of hunting season. I didn't expect the hunters to be so close to the trail. Fortunately I was wearing my bright orange t-shirt.After completing the second 5 mi section I found myself at a sandy beach in the beautiful lake. I had the entire beach in the view to myself. I took a picture and a short video. I had a lunch snack filtered some water and was looking forward to completing the last of the 15 and 1/2 mi day. I was also able to get internet access at the beach. I checked the weather and was happy to discover that the chance of rain had subsided down to about 30%. Nevertheless I'm going to call it quits at mile 15 to give my legs a break. This trail is starting to wear on me after day 5. Actually day 8 if you include a 3 days I hiked prior to getting to the hundred mile wilderness. Less than an hour later I stopped at a lien to trail side to cool off. The forecast was for temperatures in the mid 70s which is about 15° warmer than seasonal this time of year. Carrying a backpack, it felt like 85 degrees. I was sweating quite heavily. This may be another three bottle day.I finished the hike just before 3:00 and arrived at the shelter. There was a fellow that I camp next to the previous night there named Chuck. There were also two ladies there that I didn't recognize. It appears the ladies were staying in the shelter. I opted to set up my tent nearby. It was only about a hundred yards away from the river making the water resupply simple. The last mile and a half of today's hike was a long a gently flowing river. My favorite type of terrain. Unlike yesterday it wasn't as pleasant. My back was hurting and my neck was sore. This was day 8 of my hike, the longest that I've ever been on trail. I'm glad to be at camp early in the day to dry off. I set up my 10 near the shelter just before a brief rain. I had a delicious dinner and then chatted by the fireside with some hikers that I met at the campsite. I don't have internet access here but I was able to call home and talk to Sheila and Bryson for a while I must admit that's the that was the highlight of my day. I retired before 8:00 p.m. I look forward to getting through the last difficult day tomorrow. I'm hiking nearly 18 miles with some elevation mixed in. I just hope I'm feeling up to it. Good night.Ascent: 823', Descent: 1230'