Date: 2016-07-28
From: Kinsman Notch to Franconia Notch

To: Kinsnan Notch to Glencliff
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Didn't sleep well, not sure why, up at 5:30, had a double batch of oatmeal with 2 coffees, packed up and out to the trail shuttle at 7:30. I was walking before 8 but knew I had a short mile day. The trail starts out steep following a stream with an endless cascading water fall. I took it slow with steady progress but was passed by a trail angel with his chocolate lab headed up to the summit of Moosilauke with OJ and donuts for thru hikers. I worked my way up to a moderate pace and was feeling better. The north side of Moosilauke is known for being steep and treacherous, but I thought that there was good footing going up and I was starting to feel strong as I worked through the 1 1/2 mile steep section. Climbing up to a shoulder on the side of the mountain I stopped to talk to a number of Nobos and the pressed on towards the summit. The top of Moosilauke is a high bald unlike all of the other white mountains that I climbed. It was very round at the top void of any trees. Just short of the top I saw the angle again and got a glass of OJ from him for a shot of sugar to get me over the final 10 minute push to the top. Saw GoldieLox and Top3 at the top, stopped for lunch and learned that Lumberjack's wallet was stollen while he was swimming in the pool at the motel and is now off trail. There was a large crowd at the summit and I didn't linger too long heading down the nice grade on the north side of the mountain. It started out rocky for a short distance but the converted to smooth packed loam sprinkled with moose pellets. 3/4 of a mile from the summit there was an adolescent moose standing in a bare patch just 10' feet off the trail. I stopped, looked at the moose, talked to it, at which point it looked my way. It didn't move, it just stood there and I thought that was really strange. I later learned that the moose is most likely ill with Lyme disease or brain worm (not sure what that is) which is why the moose is so docile. The hike down was rocky but pretty good trail eventually leveling off for an easy descent to the road. In the steep section I saw a handsome couple in their early 30's powering up the hill with a bull terrier. I stepped to the side of the trail to let them pass (trail eddicate - people on the up hill climb have the right of way) and asked what their dogs name was - nothing, no response, not even a look or a nod. I realized that they both were wearing earbuds and didn't hear me, but still normally the people on the ascent would give you a nod, a thank you or some recognition, but nothing. I said louder, WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR DOG? The gal finally looked at me, took out one bud and said WHAT - Margot, followed by a looked of distain. This was a couple that was focused on themselves and nothing but themselves. Leaving them behind, I reached an easy patch of trail winding through mature white birch and hardwoods, it was beautiful. When I reached the road I started walking on the road without looking at the map. It was the wrong road but did take me into Glencliff with and extra mile of road walking. I will have to go back in the morning and walk the patch of trail that I missed. I walked up to the front of the post office to get my mail drop and learned that the post office was only open for a few hours each day and I was lucky to get there during that window. With my mail drop box, I walked across the street to the Hiker Welcome Hostel, home for the night. There were a number of Nobos and Sobos there including Bright Eyes. As it turns out, she just moved to Seattle to the same neighborhood that I live in. With the climb up and over Mt Moosilauke, I had completed the AT section through the White Mountains. I still had 2 1/2 days of trail left in New Hampshire, but this last section of the state would be easier and a transition into Vermont.