Date: 2018-08-27
From: Bald Mountain Brook

To: West Piscataquis River Stealth Site (2068.1)
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up several times during the night and got up shortly after 5:30. Had a hot breakfast and packed up. Puddles left 15 minutes before me. Today started with a 2.1 mile climb which began immediately. The terrain varied from rocks, dirt, mud, and roots to pine needle carpeted and rock slab paths. There were several locations which required grabbing onto a small tree, rock, or root to assist with climbing up or down. The day started off cloudy, but the clouds blew off. Prior to summiting Moxie Bald Mountain, there was a unique rock slab overhang with a cave area. I remember it from a section hike in 2012. The top of Moxie Bald had great views today. I walked to the summit which was a short distance from the trail. Coming down from the peak gave great views of Bald Mountain Pond. It was a slow, somewhat steep descent but nothing like what I experienced through the White Mountains. The descents here are quick downs, sometimes requiring the use of trees, roots, and rocks to get down, but not like the long, steep, slippery rock slabs I experienced in the Whites. On the way down I ran into Dr. Who, Red Hawk, and Cribbage. Two miles after Moxie Bald, I arrived at Moxie Bald Lean To. This evoked memories of my 2012 section hike with Jewel, Hummingbird, and Rising Dawn. We hiked from Monson to Caratunk. There was lots of rain and flash flood warnings. When we started out, the weather was nice. We got to Moxie Bald Lean To and set up our tents. It started raining buckets overnight. Everyone who was in the lean to left. The four of us moved into the lean to, and there we stayed. We ended up zeroing, trying to get our gear dry. We challenged ourselves to start a fire, and managed to do so with a lot of birch bark. It started to pour again after that, and back into the lean to we went. It was Hummingbirds birthday so we celebrated with dehydrated cupcakes that I brought, and ¢cheesecake¢ which was mislabeled, ending up being instant mashed potatoes! We still get a great laugh out of it. I arrived at Bald Mountain Stream where I found Cribbage laying in the sun, and Red Hawk in his underwear. He apologized for his lack of clothing, explaining that he had fallen in the water and was trying to dry his clothes. Puddles was on the other side of the stream, putting her boots on after fording the crossing. She warned me about slippery rocks in the stream. I figured I could cross it in my boots and stay dry, but opted for my sandals to ensure my boots stayed dry. I had no problem crossing, keeping my sandals dry. Red Hawk brought his and Cribbage¢s packs across, then sat in the sun. I left and they passed me down the trail. I arrived at the crossing for the West Branch of the Piscataquis River where Puddles was sitting in the shade. Neither of us had eaten lunch so we ate before fording the river. This was the location I had lost my crocs in 2012 when fording. The water was very high with a fast current at the time. The current took my feet out from under me, my crocs came off and floated down the river. It shook me up a bit. The others took my pack across and I crossed in my bare feet.Today would be different. I strapped on my sandals, found the shallowest location, and easily made my way across. There was a rope to assist with crossing, but it was very high, and not necessary because of the shallow water. I¢m sure it¢s much more helpful when the water is high.I put my boots on while Puddles crossed, and moved on. One other hiker came across. It was a nice hike along the river. We arrived at Horseshoe Canyon Lean To and decided to move on to find a campsite closer to the river or water source, as the water source was 2/10 of a mile from the lean to. A note in the Guthook app indicated a site 7/10 of a mile. We found it, next to the river, and set up. It was a beautiful site and we would have the sound of the river to enjoy all night. It was a great day which ended with dinner, and Puddles and I sharing ¢trail brownies¢.