Date: 2004-09-14
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: ME 15, Monson, Maine
Miles today: 17.9

Stopping early at the shelter and the relaxing atmosphere of the pond was the best natural medicine for healing my body. The energy of the sun warmed and soothed my body, the sights and sounds of the pond energized my senses and the rest gave my body a chance to recuperate. Waking up this morning was refreshing and I was ready for today¢s hike. Quest, Catdog and I left the shelter early, around 6:45. Right behind us was Diesel and Maya Ques. I crossed Bald Mountain Stream and Marble Brook without taking my boots off. However, the fording across the West Branch of Piscataquis River was a different matter. I was the first one to reach the bank of the river. I quickly surveyed the river and knew the fording was going to be different. If I was to follow the white blazes, the trail fords a small stream to my left that started out shallow, but went chest high in depth just before climbing out onto a small river island. The trail continued across the island to the river and that section was not within view. What I could see was the river¢s fast moving water flowing past the island. The best location for fording was directly across from me. The river¢s bottom was rocky and looked shallow enough to cross until just before the opposite bank was attained. Here, it appeared the swift water deepened to about thigh level with a climb up the rocky bank with a short walk back to the trail. Trail signs indicated to me that other hikers before me had the same idea. I waited for Quest and Catdog before fording as a safety precaution. Diesel and Maya Ques arrived and we were all in agreement as to where the fording would take place. . I took off my boots, tied them to the top of my backpack and wore my Waldies sandals to protect my feet. Maya Ques was the first in the water followed by Diesel, Quest, Catdog and then me. I was unprepared for the shock as my feet hit the river¢s icy cold water. I slowly traveled only a few feet into the water when the cold water numbed my legs to the point of hurting. Instead of thinking about cold, I focused on the precarious footing due to the uneven and slippery rocky bottom. Everyone made it safely across and putting on their boots as I entered the deepest section of the ford. I was glad to find out this section was only knee deep. The current was swift and one false move could mean a full immersion into the frigid water, incentive enough for me to make it safely across. I was glad water levels were down. I read an entry in one of the shelters where Lint crossed after several days of hard rain. The river was waist deep and a ravaging torrent of moving water. It sounds like this was one of the scariest moments for Lint on the trail.The trail followed the river into Horseshoe Canyon for several miles. Entering the canyon the trail followed beside the river with large boulders in the water and the canyon walls towering above you. The trail progressed to the canyon top and the views looking down into the water rapids were captivating and full of raw energy. The scenery was just breath-taking. Everyone gathered for lunch at the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. An unknown hiker left a folding lawn chair at the lean-to, a luxury item for thru-hikers, we all took turns sitting on the comfortable webbing, off the ground.After lunch the hiking was easy over hilly terrain. Another fording was made across the East Branch of Piscataquis River. Low water levels made the fording easier. Crossing the East Branch, I can hear the distant sounds of the logger¢s saws. Walking north, the logging sounds intensified until I feel the loggers¢ are just across the river camouflaged by the vegetation of the forest. Eventually the sounds diminished as I pushed up the trail, and by the time I was near Lake Hebron the normal sounds of the forest returned.Diesel and I are the first ones at ME 15 and hitchhiked a ride to Shaw¢s Lodging in Monson. I find out Paddler, who I hiked with in Georgia, lives nearby and was looking for my arrival at Shaw¢s. I finally meet up with Paddler and his friend Amy. The three of us loaded up in his jeep and traveled through Moose Alley to Greenville for a Zero Day (Plus Day) with Paddler.