Date: 2005-08-13
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: broken clouds

We got up at 5:30am and we were on the trail at 6:45am. We had a 21.5 mile hike planned for the day, so as the song goes, "We had a long way to go and a short time to get there." The terrain today was as flat as it gets. We got the first 10 miles done in 3 hours and 20 minutes. We took our morning snack break at Potaywadjo Lean-to and filled our water from the Potaywadjo Spring and made lemonade. It is a great spring. It looked as if it bubbled right out of it's sandy bottom and makes it's own pool.On the way to Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, we hiked by a gorgeous lake, Nahmakanta Lake. It is absolutely gorgeous.Our next great experience in the Wilderness was our first moose encounter, hypothetically speaking of course. We will entitle the following "Moose Quiz".Hypothetically speaking, two hikers are walking along a stream. The hiker in the back says, "I see a moose." The two hikers then stop. The big bull moose is in the water up to mid chest and is feeding. They quietly remove their camera from it's ziploc bag and take a picture. Hypothetically of course, one hiker says, "Get me in the picture." More pictures are taken and the moose has not noticed them. Then the other hiker says, "Take a picture of me with the moose." Again, more pictures are taken, but now the moose has noticed the hikers. Hypothetically, the hikers walk further on the trail and notice a better view through the branches. More pictures are taken, hypothetically. The bull moose now moves to higher ground so the hikers can see just how big he really is. Hypothetically, more pictures are taken. Bull moose is now snorting loudly and stomping the water aggressively. Hikers turn to leave, thinking maybe their welcome has worn out. Hypothetically, one hiker asks the other, "Is there another moose that the bull moose is fighting with?" This is in response to the large amount of noise coming from the hypothetical bull moose. Other hiker responds, "No, I just think it wants us to leave." Hikers then proceed quickly up the trail. Noises continue to follow the hikers. As it turns out, hypothetically of course, the trail parallels river. At this point in time bull moose is powerfully striding up the river in the same direction as the hikers. Hiker in the back, turns toward moose, then turns toward first hiker and says, "He is following us." Hikers pick up the pace as does the moose. Hikers then decide to run. After 1/2 mile hikers notice no more moose and return to normal hiking.Here is the quiz part: What would you do in this "hypothetical" situation?A. Take more picturesB. Freeze in fearC. Run like the windOh by the way, would you like to see our moose pictures?We got to Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, our planned destination for the night. We got there at 3:30pm. We figured that was too early to stop hiking for the day. So, we filled our water, made lemonade, and had some snacks. In 20 minutes we headed on. It was 8.1 miles to the next lean-to.We hiked up Nesuntabunt Mtn. There was a view of Katahdin from the summit. We then hiked some lesser up's & down's. We passed Crescent Pond, very picturesque.We got to Rainbow Stream Lean-to at 7:05pm. Fatty, Geronimo and Rattle were already there. They spent last night at White House Landing. They told us stories of staying at White House and of another hiker blowing the air horn to piss off the owner of the Landing. The owner was hopping mad. There are always hikers who like to "stir the pot".Geronimo, Fatty and Rattle were surprised to see us. We told them it was our first, last, and only 30 mile day! As it turned out when we checked the actually mileage when we got in the tent for the night, it was only 29.6 miles. It was our longest day on the trail.We told them about our moose encounter and none of them could believe it. They also had never heard of a moose being so aggressive.We cooked dinner for the last time on this trip. Tomorrow night we should be at Abol Bridge Campground and Campstore. We are looking forward to the campstore, they have FOOD and ICE-CREAM!Today we finally started the LAST map of the trip! Yippee! The last map looks great, that is until you look at the very end and see the profile of Mt. Katahdin. The elevation gain is over 4,000 feet to the summit of Mt. Katahdin.It was a late night, bed at 9:15pm.