Date: 2014-07-09
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: NH-25A
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 119-July 9, Trapper John Shelter to Mile 1776.8 (NH-25A), 17 miles. A thunder and lightening storm blew through last night just before midnight. It rained for a awhile but never as hard as when we were at Governor Clements shelter recently. We had a good site for the tent in that the rain that ran off the tent drained nicely away from the tent. When we got up this AM the skies had cleared with the promise of a sunny day. We had a Plan A and Plan B for today. Plan A had us hiking to Hexacuba Shelter, 12 miles away with one good mountain to climb and part way up a second. If we were feeling good and the weather looked good and we had enough time Plan B was to pass Hexacuba Shelter and go up and over the second mountain, Mt. Cube, and camp at the maple sugar farm on NH 25A, making it a 17 mile day. We did Plan B but chose to camp right by the trail near the road in a spot covered in pine needles. We had a trail magic start to our day because after walking .9 miles we came to the house of the Ice Cream Man, Bill Ackerly, a friend to all the hikers. We walked up to his house at 7:10 saw a light on and there was Bill, reading the paper and waiting for hikers. He came out to the porch to get us to sign his guest book and then went to get us each a chocolate covered ice cream on a stick! A great way to start a day of hiking. Bill is a retired guy and said that last year he met 1200 hikers! Thanks Bill, we enjoyed our visit and our ice cream!The first mountain we climbed was Smarts Mountain and it had a two-stage climb with a small plateau in the middle. The total elevation gain was 2500 feet. The climb was manageable in the cool of the morning and we were on top by the fire tower by 10:30 AM. After enjoying the 360 degree view from the tower we ate some quick snacks and headed down the other side. All day we leap frogged with Grasshopper, Topo and Chef, but they planned to go a bit further today so they are not camped with us tonight. Our second mountain was Mt. Cube and it was a bit more of a challenge, partly because I was getting tired and it was rockier. But we were rewarded at the top with another great New Hampshire view. The first part of the descent was very hard-steep with wet rocks and mud. I was tired and hungry and not having fun. Fortunately the terrain moderated and I got something to eat before I started to cry! We did have an uneventful descent, which is always my goal. Shortly after pitching our tent and washing up in the nearby stream the rain returned. We gathered our gear and jumped in the tent, where I am writing this now. Two other hikers, Moose and Davinci, just walked by and are going to hitch a ride to the sugar farm. We opted not to do that hitch and just stay here because there are no promises about other hiker services at the sugar farm. So we'll wait for the rain to stop and cook our dinner. I will not be up late as I am very tired. Fortunately tomorrow is a shorter day of less than 11 miles. Our Crossroad Farm friends, Tim and Janet have been in touch and may work out a plan to meet us at the top of Mt Moosilauke on Friday! We'd be thrilled if this could work out. Keep your fingers crossed! All is well.