Date: 2017-08-01
From: Horns Pond Lean-tos, ME

To: East Carry Pond Stealth Site, ME
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: scattered clouds

8/1/17, East Carry Pond Stealth Site, MEMiles hiked: 1710.9, Miles to Katahdin: 161.0, Miles to go: 478.9Today's hike took me over the Bigelow Mountains, with probably the best views since the Whites. Once again, we lucked out with the weather. The climb straight out of camp eventually took me above treeline. I love hiking above treeline!  After climbing and descending several peaks, I finally reached Avery Peak, named for Myron Avery, who was the driving force behind the construction of the AT. I caught up with Yogi and Bearslayer, who were lounging and taking in the views from Avery Peak. We knew that one of the mountains we were looking at on the horizon was Mt Katahdin. Unfortunately, we didn't know which one it was. Bummer. On the descent of Avery Peak, first Feathers, then Wild Thing passed me. They are such fast hikers I wasn't surprised to see them, even though they were still asleep when I left the lean-to this morning. After Avery Peak, the trail became pretty tame. It was still rocky and rooty; but, no longer steep. As I was descending Little Bigelow Mt, I came upon the first ripe blueberries I have seen all trip. As you can imagine, forward progress was greatly impeded! How can anyone walk past a blueberry bush just bursting with ripe berries?The rest of the afternoon was a pleasant hike under glorious skies on flat, easy trail. Most of the Fellowship was making for the West Carry Pond Lean-to for the night. I pushed on another 3.6 miles to a stealth spot on East Carry Pond. Tomorrow, we have to cross the Kennebec River. There is a hydroelectric dam located upstream of the river crossing. The dam releases water at irregular intervals, causing the river to rise precipitously and unexpectedly. Hikers haves actually drowned in the past crossing this river because there is no bridge. As a result the Appalachian Trail Conservancy had put a ferry in place. The ferry is a canoe operated by a local outfitter. It is considered part of the trail and actually has a white blaze painted in the bottom. You wait in line and cross the river to two at a time. The problem is that the ferry only operates from 9 - 2 every day. If you get there after 2:00 PM, you are waiting until the next day to cross. My understanding is that you can be fined for fording the river on foot, if caught. Since the West Carry Pond Lean-to was located 14 miles from the ferry, I decided to hike on to East Carry Pond to reduce the distance I have to cover tomorrow. There were two or three stealth sites suggested in the guidebook. Of course, when I reached East Carry Pond the sites I was aiming for had already been taken. Argh! I hike on around the shore of the pond looking for somewhere else to camp. Unfortunately, the ground was very rough, rocky, and rooty. Eventually, I came upon a very nice spot right next to the pond. The pond was beautiful in the setting sun. I stepped into the water up to my ankles to wash the mud off my legs. I was expecting the water to be cold; but, it was actually quite warm. I was thinking about going for a swim when I looked more closely at the water and saw several black leaches about 4 inches long. Nope! No swim for me!I am now in my tent, having had dinner, and been chased I. Here by the mosquitoes. Tomorrow I will get up early and head for the ferry. I should have plenty of time to reach it before 2:00 PM.