Date: 2014-07-31
From: Bromely

To: Little Rock Pond
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

In which I hike the most terrifying 0.1 mile of the trail yet...but it all ended well.Thank heavens for the bag of sunflower seeds. They kept the mice busy all night and out of my food and out of my face! They feasted and polished off that whole bag. I was rather impressed with their accomplishments. Not a single seed remained! Just the evidence of their feast. One mouse did take a nibble out of one of my gaiters and left a little, tattered hole. That's better than my food bag again.I slept pretty well overall last night and treated myself to a cup of hot coffee this morning. The skies were looking gray already when I did leave the shelter. I really enjoyed the 1 mile hike up the ski slopes to the summit of Bromely and the ski patrol lodge up there. No one was there which surprised me a little. The view was great and I enjoyed that for a few, then down the other side of the mountain I went. That was a very pretty walk through the pine forest. It sprinkled a little and the smell from the rain and pine needles was fantastic. I wish I could bottle that up and take it with me. It's just a happy smell, so soothing.Next, came two climbs up Style and Peru mountains. One offered a pretty view so I took advantage of that for a break. The descent was down rocks, by more moose poop the through the conifer forest to boggs. I passed at least 6 SOBOs and one group of 3 sisters who dubbed themselves "the sisterhood of Pain" as that was their maiden name. They were finishing their Vermont section hike. I finally came to a water source and cameled up before my lunch break at Peru shelter. It's a good thing I had a big lunch to carry me through the rest of the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the trail magic meal I received. Thanks again!Bad weather was predicted again for today. The wind was picking up and the clouds were looking heavy, gray and ominous. Ugh. I hate hiking in stormy weather! Once I walked away from the shelter and roar of the river I could hear thunder in the distance again. I knew I'd get caught in the rain at some point today but I was hoping to at least make it to the next shelter before the storm came barreling in. I was committed hiking now so onward I plodded or should I say hustled. I practically ran.My main concern was getting up and over Baker mountain before the storms came in. It now was raining, the wind was blowing and thunder was rumbling. The race was full on! And I couldn't tell you who was winning at this point. I finally got to the sign which said Baker Peak 0.1 mile. I breathed a sigh of relief and prepared myself for the "little" blip up on the elevation profile. I thought to myself, "I've got this!". Then I made the turn around the corner to face shear rock straight up. "Uh Oh! I'm in trouble!". All these things flashed through my mind in that instant as lightening flashed and thunder followed. One, the rocks are wet and slippery. Two, this is an exposed ridge. Three, it's starting to pour. Four, I'll be the highest point on the ridge. Five, the view looks spectacular but that big storm is approaching quickly. My heart is racing, my breathing heavy and labored and I'm cursing the thunder as it crashes over my head and I'm continuing to climb. Come on summit! I reached the summit finally in maybe ten, terrifying minutes. I was never so thankful to summit and without pause descend quickly into the forest! Phew!The storm continued to blow through. It was pouring. The trail was muddy and a river in parts. Eventually the storm passed by as I approached the next shelter. It even looked as if the sun was trying to come out and play. With that being the case I decided to press on to the next shelter and make the next decision to stay or go from there. The terrain was relatively flat and not terribly rocky. So I walked on to Branch River shelter. I stopped for a break and talked with SOBO Multi for a few. The weather had now turned wonderful. The sun was warm and shining brightly. The sky was blue with white billowy clouds and it was time to shed the rain gear. I made the final call to head on toward Little Rock Pond and I'm so glad I did. The trail was now littered with hikers after not seeing anyone all afternoon. The hike up to this shelter was a little more strenuous but followed a pretty stream for a ways. This and the thrush singing made the walk very enjoyable. I got to the shelter where I was again alone. I decided to press on and found a great spot to camp by the pond. Perfect! It's so peaceful and the view beyond words. I could hear voices across the pond and the water splashing along the rocks and shoreline. So soothing and peaceful. I drifted off to sleep tonight with a smile on my face.