Date: 2003-09-29
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh my goodness, how it poured during the night! The official total rainfall for Millinocket yesterday was 5+ inches. At Daicy Pond here in Baxter State Park, the rangers measured 9 inches! Amazing! And boy were the stream crossings full and furious today!   We had breakfast intown and then our cab picked us up and brought us back to Abol Bridge. The weather had cleared enough that we had a partial view of Katahdin from the footbridge. It really is a beautiful mountain.Just as we were putting on our packs to hike on, OFF and Rubberband Man came over the bridge. Nice to see them. Kristen was already there and heading out, too. Everyone was kind of solemn, yet almost giddy, if that combination is possible. Tomorrow is the big day for so many of us.   When we reached the entrance to Baxter State Park, Dave (Poptart 02) the ridge runner was there to provide info, answer questions and make sure everyone signed in. Then into the park we went.    The first "bridge" we came to was woefully inadequate after the rain. It spanned only about 2/3 of the stream. Bump and Sean-O quickly went to work improvising with branches and logs. They built us a fine crossing! After that, the trail was positively gorgeous for the next few miles. It followed along a river and was covered with soft pine needles. There were several huge old pine trees along the way. Bump has taken to touching as many of the old ones as he can. Guess I've finally made a tree hugger out of him, too.   The sound of the river began to increase in intensity as we walked. At one point, 2 separate streams merged into 1 and created an impressive rush of water. Which, we soon found out, was only the beginning. We reached the spot where the trail crosses the water..."I don't think so," was going through my head! Again, there was a footbridge, but it was halfway across the stream. There were a couple of big rocks leading out to it, but they were surrounded by rushing, swirling water! Bump and Sean-O experimented with a couple of plans to get us all across. Kristen joined us and wasn't any happier than Cricket or I. Cricket explored upstream where there were a couple of logs stretched across. She thought we might be able to straddle them and scootch over to the other side. I still wasn't convinced. Just then, Gold Bond showed up. He just stretched his long legs from rock to rock and made it across. When Sean-O decided to try it, Bond stopped to take a picture. Then he helped us shuttle our packs over one by one. Bump stationed himself on the first rock; Sean-O wedged himself between the next one and the log supporting the bridge; and Bond stood at the end of the bridge. We passed each pack over and then each of us girls went one by one with the gracious help of 3 wonderful gentlemen. Everyone was finally across and still dry! Thanks, guys, you were great!   After one more (easier) stream crossing, it was clear sailing, okay clear hiking The stream continued to pick up power and Big Niagara Falls was awesome! It was just a great final day of hiking before the big day up "Big K"!   When we got to Katahdin Stream Campground, it was like parents' day at college. Hikers were setting up camp for the last time and friends and loved ones were there looking for their hikers. Reunions happening everywhere. Very sweet. And there was a definate buzz of excitement in the air as we all registered with the rangers to summit in the morning.   This is it, the last night of our adventure. Tomorrow is the day we've been waiting for...