Date: 2017-09-17
From: Little Swift River Pond Campsite

To: ME 4, Rangeley, ME/Farmhouse Inn Hostel
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

9/17Little Swift River Pond Campsite to ME 4, Rangeley, ME/Farmhouse Inn Hostel4.8 miles Total miles:  1969.4Even though we only had 4.8 miles to travel today, I got up at my regular time. I could tell by the orange glow against my tent wall that the sun was getting ready to rise on the lake, and I made sure I was out and about when it did. I was not disappointed. The sun rose directly across the lake from my tent site and was stunning. I finished packing up and was ready to hike by 7:30.  The trail remained relatively easy, and I made good time all the way to the road. There was one very nice view from an unnamed spot. Otherwise I walked in a pretty green corridor. There was one area of very impressive trail work, where a long, winding shelf had been constructed of rock to carry the trail above a muddy bog. Usually in such instances, the best you can hope for is a patchwork of wooden planks, oftentimes with some of them broken and/or sunk in the mire.  More often than not, you hope for rocks and logs to hop along so as to not sink into the soft, sticky mud.  The work that went into the rock shelf I hiked over today was impressive, and I was most appreciative of the unknown crew that constructed it. I called the Farmhouse Inn Hostel while a mile from the road, as there was no reception in the valley through which the road travelled. This is very common along the trail.  The shuttle was waiting when I got there (I told the woman at the hostel that I was old and slow). There was no problem, however, since the driver was an avid fisherman, and he and Tengo were busy talking shop. Gravity arrived a few minutes after I did, and we were soon at the Farmhouse Inn Hostel.  The hostel is truly a very impressive farmhouse on a beautiful piece of land. Gravity, Tengo, and I spent a few extra dollars apiece for a single room with three beds. We started our laundry and caught the 1:00 shuttle into Rangeley.  Gravity, Tengo, and I joined several other thru hikers for lunch at Sarge's Sports Pub and Grub. I had the Hiker Burger with fries. Our table of hikers was surrounded by a horde of avid Patriots fans, as the game was on every television in the place. New Englanders do love their Patriots. After lunch, we resupplied at the local IGA and went to an outfitters called Ecopelagicon. I got my trekking pole fixed for free, replaced my z-seat which blew away on Mount Madison, and purchased a new water filter. My original filter, which I have used since Springer, was getting slow even after backflushing. Rangeley is a beautiful little town with many shops.  Both the town, the nearby lake, and the Farmhouse Inn all make you want to come back for a future vacation. Next time, however, I'll bring Sandy, and we'll bring a car.  Back at the hostel, I spent a leisurely evening sorting my resupply and cleaning equipment.  I heard that Frodo, Samwise, and Gimli had arrived, so I stopped by their room to visit. I also received a text from my good buddy, Juan Gone, who just summitted Katahdin. Gravity, Tengo, and I plan to catch the 6:30 shuttle back to the trailhead tomorrow to get an early start on Saddleback Mountain.  Our hope is to reach Poplar Ridge Lean-to, which is 10.7 miles away. There are three peaks, Saddleback Mountain, the Horn, and Saddleback Junior, between us, and the trail is reported to be challenging. Over two miles is above tree line, so I'm hoping there won't be too much wind. If need be, there is a campsite just past the Horn. I'm going back to sleep now to be ready for tomorrow. The forecast calls for yet another day of sunshine, so I hope to be treated to more of the intense beauty of Maine as I hike over three more of her mountains.