Date: 2004-09-01
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to 

To: Trail to Lake Hebron 
Miles today: 14.6

September first - I have now been on the trail for at least a part of eight different months. And today was one of the more interesting days. We were up VERY early - awakened to the sound of crinkle, crinkle, crinkle. A few of the shelter dwellers felt it was important to start the day well before the sun came up. And they made enough noise that everyone was awake. This, on top of the loud snoring last night meant I didn't get enough sleep. So I got up and ate and started hiking about 7AM. The profile map made today look like an easy day. It lied. We had been warned by SOBO's that there was a three mile mud puddle after Moxie Bald. And that was before the 3+ inches of rain the other night. So for three miles we hiked through a stream flowing over muddy slop. Hammock Hanger took the first dive - and managed to splash mud all over me while emerging almost spotless. Only a woman can fall into that slop and not get dirty. We then arrived at Marble Brook. I removed my boots and cr!ossed wearing my rubber camp shoes. The water was almost up to my knees. A short while later we arrived at the West Branch of the Piscataquis River. I almost Piscated in my shorts when I saw that we had to ford it. It looked deep and fast and mean. You could hear underwater rocks being moved by the force of the current. I left my boots on for this one. I started crossing and with the water up to my knees I could not believe the force of the river. Another step and I was in up to mid thigh - and still only one third of the way to the safety of an island maybe thirty feet away. Hammock Hanger was not far behind me. When I got in up to my stomach the current forced me to turn around - facing the direction I started from. The rocks I was planting my feet against were being swept away with the current. It took me about five minutes to get turned in the right direction again - my legs getting fatigued during the process. Hammock Hanger let out a yell and suddenly wasn't behind me! anymore. She was swept away by the current but managed to get a foothold about twenty yards away. She was having trouble and I was not able to move. I eventually found a foothold and continued to the lee side of the island. Hammock Hanger was back on her feet - she had been swept to a slightly shallower location and was doing ok. We got on the island and took a short rest. We were halfway there. The rest of the crossing went without incident for either of us.It was more excitement than either of us anticipated on this "walk in the woods". The rest of the day I got to hike in wet boots that weigh about five pounds each. We passed Horseshoe Canyon and the rapids were as turbulent as I've ever witnessed. We came to our next crossing - the East Branch of the Piscataquis River. It too was deep but the flow was not as strong. After this crossing we were soaked and tired. We eventually found the sign showing the side trail to Monson and headed that way. We walked the two miles to Shaw's. Just before we got there three other hikers passed us in a ca!r - they (including BearBag Hanger) managed to hitch a ride while we got skunked. Two miles on a road with wet boots while very tired - and those miles don't count. Once at Shaw's everything improved. We were assigned rooms, took showers, ate an absolutely fantastic home cooked meal, and relaxed. Tomorrow I will get ready for the hundred mile wilderness. I will have the whole day to resupply and rest. I may do a short 3.3 mile hike to pick up the section between here and ME15. It depends on how I feel after getting some much needed rest.Goodnight