Date: 2013-07-17
From: Northern Outdoors Center

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0

It was a pleasant start to the day, since I could pretend I was a day hiker for the first couple of hours. I took a shower, had a cup of tea, and then ate a real breakfast in the restaurant with Dragonstick. Ah, living the good life once again.We took the shuttle back to the trailhead and as soon as I hefted my pack onto my back all day hiking delusions came to an end. We had a late 9:30 start to the day and there were miles to cover.The first almost six miles to Pleasant Pond Lean-to were some of the best miles of trail I've seen in Maine. I covered them quickly and was at the lean-to by about 11:30. I dropped my pack and took the .2 mile side trail down to Pleasant Pond. Unlike the other ponds we've passed, this one is very developed with camps on the shoreline. Once back at the lean-to Dragonstick had arrived and we took a lunch break.The hot and sweaty section of trail was the after lunch special. The trail climbed about 1,100 feet in a little over a mile and it was short but tough. I tell you, it just doesn't get any better than hiking a steep uphill after lunch on a sunny, humid, buggy, 80+ degree day. Any remnants of my shower and clean clothes were long gone at this point.There were some nice views from the summit of Pleasant Pond Mountain, although they didn't compare to the Bigelows and Saddlebacks. I'm afraid I've become a bit of a view snob as I near the end of this journey. It was exciting to have cell coverage on top, since I haven't had any for a couple of days. This part of Maine has very limited cell coverage and AT&T is especially poor.It was then a gradual descent down the other side of the mountain, which in typical AT fashion means you go down a bit, climb up some, and then go down again. Along the way I met Cozy, a SOBO. After my posting about the lack of women on the trail I've had the pleasure recently of meeting several solo women hikers. Cozy, Rerun, Magnet, Shutterbug, and Chaco all come to mind and there have been others.Once at the bottom of the hill there was yet another beautiful pond, Moxie Pond. Cozy said she'd seen a moose there, but he was gone by the time I made it to the pond. As I walked on the dirt road next to the pond a SOBO was heading my way. I realized it was Son Driven, who I hadn't seen since Aquone Hostel in NC. Apparently he hiked into PA and then flip flopped his hike, starting at Katahdin and hiking south. He's thinner, bearded, carrying mostly new gear, and has transformed into an experienced hiker since we last met.I arrived at Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to not long before 6. Another big surprise for the day - Maverick was here. I'd last seen Maverick in Daleville, VA and he'd hiked to Harper's Ferry, taken some time off the trail, and flip flopped his hike to start at Katahdin and hike south. We had fun catching up about mutual hiker connections.This lean-to has the benefit of having a brook in front of it with a waterfall "shower" tucked into a rock alcove. Everyone here stripped down and took a turn in the private waterfall, which after the initial shock to the system (it was really cold) felt amazingly refreshing after this hot and buggy day of hiking. Good crowd here tonight, with Herc, Hobbit, Sweet Cheeks, Larry, Buzz (from Germany), Maverick, Dragonstick, and I. I enjoy chatting with the SOBOs because they provide great tips for what's ahead on the trail and we can reciprocate with info south of here. All in all some productive information swapping.I set my tent up thinking it wouldn't rain. Of course it's currently pouring, complete with thunder and lightening. Maybe this will put a dent in the heat and humidity tomorrow? The bugs enjoy this weather much more than I do.Today's highlight: good trail.