Date: 2003-09-06
From: Avery Memorial Campsite

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Last night I was asleep by 7pm and slept soundly for most of the night. The wind continued to blow and when I awakened around 6, the tent was covered with drops as was the tent platform. It hadn't rained but the clouds blowing through the tent site all night deposited so much moisture on the trees that they dripped and dripped and dripped. So even though it didn't rain, I packed out a wet tent.I left early, 6:45am, because I had 14+ miles to hike with several big ups and downs and wasn't sure how long it would take me. It's difficult judging time these days with all of the steep hills and rocks.Gazer had not yet stirred when I left, but I knew he'd catch me up the trail.It was very cold and I left camp wearing my rain gear, hat and gloves. Yesterday I had tackled the West Peak of Bigelow Mt., this morning I was ready to tackle Avery Peak.Reaching the peak was spectacular! The sun was shining through the clouds, Flagstaff Lake, below me, was wild and beautiful, and the mountains beyond the lake poked their peaks up through the billowy white clouds. The climb down the other side was long and steep with lots of conifers, birches and moss covered boulders the size of houses and automobiles.I stopped at 9 to eat and dry out my sleeping bag that had gotten damp in the tent last night. It felt great sitting in the morning sun with 3+ miles already under my belt.As I hiked over Little Bigelow, I was joined by Gazer and we hiked together for the rest of the day.At noon we stopped for lunch at the trailhead to Little Bigelow Lean-To. It was a nice area with a floor of hemlock needles and a great water source. Gazer put out his wet tent and it was dry in a very short time.I had already eaten my "lunch" of cheese and corn tortillas at 9am, so I snacked on a bag of trail mix and package of crackers.We had only hiked a very short way to East Flagstaff Road, when we came upon the most amazing hiker feast. Roy Ronan ("Walkin Home" 2000) and his wife along with: Potato Man (GA-ME 2000), Old Phart who has a thru-hike and numerous section hikes completed, and Dead Man Walking had come for the weekend to take care of passing thru-hikers.Also with them, and as a big surprise for me, was my internet friend and trailjournals.com website supporter, John "Hydromagnt". It's such a treat for me to meet people that I know have shared my trail experiences and look forward to every new journal entry.This great group of trail angels had set out a spread fit for a King. There were tents set up for sleeping, stamped postcards for sending, maps, weather reports, hats and gloves if you needed them, and food. I had a cheese burger, macaroni salad, Ring Ding, Sunny D, and bubble gum. I also left with a bottle of energy drink to help me get up the last 2 mountains.We spent an hour talking with these wonderful people, took some pictures, and then had to get on our way. It's getting dark much earlier now, leaving us less hours in the day to hike.Gazer and I arrived at the West Carry Pond Lean-To around 5:30 after a nice hike along the edge of the pond. The sun was already starting to set and the far bank of the pond looked as if it were ablaze.The temperature here at the base of the mountains, as opposed to being on top last night, is warm and comfortable. The loons are calling on the pond; my first loons and what a treat it has been to lay here in my sleeping bag and listen to them. I have also heard geese, coyotes, and owls since I finished my day.I am in the middle of no-where here in Maine, and for tonight, that's just fine with me.