Date: 2015-08-28
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Frye Notch Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4

Ahhhh, today was a much better day. And a good thing that was too, because we all needed it!It didn't start out very good though, when I woke at 4 am because the group of college kids got up so they could see the sunrise from Old Speck Mountain. It was of course still pitch dark and I was just happy it wasn't me getting up.When I did get up at six, it was grey, gloomy and damp out and I did not want go out and hike in that, not even a little bit. The thing about hiking the AT though is that you only make forward progress if you actually hike so I did eventually leave. There was some confusion about where the trail went because I think it was re-routed very recently and the signage hadn't caught up yet, but once we found it I was on my way.We were to climb Old Speck Mountain which is just over 4000 ft but because the camp site was at 3400 ft, it wasn't that much of a climb. Except the higher I got, the more exposed I was to the wind (30 or 40 miles an hour maybe?) and naturally there was a lot of scrambling up impossible looking rock faces. So far, I was not enjoying the day at all. Also, because the mountain was basically in the middle of a cloud, there were no views whatsoever. Boo hiss!But then, on the downhill into Grafton Notch, two things happened: the trail became a normal trail and the weather improved dramatically. By the time we got to the trailhead at the bottom, it was sunny and warm (but not too warm!) and Yoda (who caught me just past the summit) and I were in a fine mood. We got some water from a trail maintainer, threw our trash out (it's a small thing but it makes hikers happy to get rid of trash), used the privy and then we started the climb up the other side to Bald Pate. Halfway up the climb to the first Bald Pate peak is a shelter where we had lunch, in the sun! And the trail was still very well behaved. It is now maintained by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club rather than the AMC and it seems to make a difference. The first (west) peak of Bald Pate is not actually bald, but you can see the bald east peak from there, as well as some other spectacular views. So yes, we finally had views again too! From the west peak you go down a bit, then up the rocks of Bald Pate, which was fun this time. And more great views. We were thoroughly enjoying the day by now.It was less than two miles from East Bald Pate (which I like to call pat©) but unfortunately the trail did go back to the slippery rock slabs we've all come to detest over the past few days, so our progress was slowed. The last mile or so was better and this shelter, or lean-to as they call them here, is right on the trail.It is not a great shelter for tenting and I am once again in a marginal spot. The other day with the root ball it worked out quite well though, it was like sleeping in a recliner. . Today I am roughly 1 inch from the trail with my closest stake, but I don't think it will be much of an issue since I leave pretty early. Not as early as I used to though, since it's not even completely light until after six.We didn't see Cruise Control or Two Bad Dogs all day, but they are here as well and the plan is for us all to hike to the road by ten and take a shuttle into town. It is 4.5 miles to the road and some southbound section hikers who are camped here told us the trail is pretty good. Hallelujah!We have also gotten trail Intel from Southpaw, who is about five days ahead of us, that things will be easier in about thirty miles. Inbthe meantime, if they can be like today, with mostly manageable and some wtf trail, I'll take it. If it's more like the last few days, I may cry. . Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?