Date: 2017-07-29
From: Katahdin Stream Campground a 

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

7/29/17 Day 63 - 13.4 milesKatahdin Stream Campground to Hurd Brook LeantoIt's ridiculous how early the sun comes up here! It was full light by 4:30 this morning. In VA, the sun was coming later and later which was much appreciated. Not only that, it was in the 40's this morning!! Not complaining, just a little surprised. Even with the early sunrise, I decided to sleep in. No need to rush out in the morning to beat the heat. I rolled out of the tent about 7 and was on the trail by 7:30. The elevation profile is showing very level conditions but it's the roots and rocks that will slow me down here. Abol Bridge Campground is 9.9 miles away and I'm already looking forward some coffee. The trail through Baxter State Park is beautiful. The trail twists and turns through thick pines and it's nice and soft where the roots aren't sticking out. I came across a huge lake within a mile and it immediately reminded me of my 1st trip here 9 years ago. These Maine lakes are incredible.  As I headed south, I ran into some NOBO thru's. Sparky and Ketchup at one point and McFlurry later on. You could tell they were getting excited about finishing and I even had some fun psyching them up for their summit up Katahdin. Their huge smiles were worth it.  The trail followed a huge river (not sure the name) for a few miles and there were large groups of white water rafters. It looked like a ton of fun as they took turns jumping off the big rafts and getting yanked back in. The pace of the rafts and the pace of my hiking were the same for a while so I got to see their fun for quite a bit.  I made it to Abol Bridge Campground around 12:30 and got my coffee. Along with an order of poutine and a Rueben. I was so full after that, I went and took a nap right on the patio in the shade. It was only 3.6 miles to the shelter and it was 1:30. No reason to get there too early and I really don't want to push the miles this soon into getting back on the trail. I ended up taking an hourlong nap when Plant and Cloudview showed up. They were getting their dog back today. No dogs allowed in Baxter so they had to board him. They packed up and left for the shelter but I figured I'd stay and order dinner there as well. Sherlock and Darwin came in around 4:30 so I hung out with them and had more coffee. They're an awesome couple and they started the trail on March 7th! They're getting a ton of adventure on their trip. I've heard it said that the winner is the one who stays on the trail the longest, not the quickest to finish. It turns out I met them back in Harper's Ferry the day I left. We had breakfast together at the Town Inn hostel there. They're staying at the campground tonight so I may not see them again unless they decide to pick up their pace (which isn't likely).  It was 5:30 and time for me to start moving again. As I crossed Abol Bridge, I got an awesome view of Katahdin and what I think was a bald eagle flying over the pond. I could see the path I took to the top and it's just an amazing sight.  I entered the Hundred Mile Wilderness and signed my registration card. It's official now, no escaping this without doing the hundred miles. The trail was still rooty and rocky but I made it to the shelter by 6:45. Got my tent set up and ate my BLT. I'm going to try and recalibrate my time here and get to sleep early so I can get an earlier start tomorrow. Just as the sun comes up earlier here, it goes down a little earlier too.