Date: 2010-08-30
From: Grafton Notch, ME 26

To: East B Hill Rd. Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

I woke up with muscles aching. First I thought it was because of the picnic tables. Then I remember the physical exertion I did yesterday. My arms especially were sore from all the pulling and pushing over the boulders. Most long distance hikers will build up lower torso muscles while the upper torso lose strength. Today was a testament to that statement. One by one as my hiking mates got up they experienced the same soreness.Today's hike took me over some of the finest mountain scenery in Maine, Baldpate Mountain. The initial climb was arduous, going up slippery rock face and assorted size boulders. North of Baldpate Shelter I entered the Alpine Zone. Small, stunted spruce fir trees surviving the high winds and harsh winters, dotted the landscape. The trail at the top, followed along on rock plateau and the whole scene reminded me of the Sierra Nevada mountains on the John Muir Trail in California. Near the summit a strong wind blew across my back as I climbed up rock face steps and followed the cairns to a sign designating the summit of Baldpate Mountain east peak, elevation 3810 feet. Everyone (Captain Sick, Red, MacGuyver and I) were suppose to meet at the sign. The last I saw Red and Captain Slick was in front of me so I thought they would be at the sign. I couldn't find anyone from our group now offically called by the four of us as Team Alpha. I figured they went ahead and so did I.I walked along several rock plateaus (also called a high plain or tableland) brought into view a different type of mountain terrain. Due to the severe cold and wind, vegetation is very small including the spruce-fir trees. This alpine zone is very delicate and takes a long time to grow. I would call the water situation in this landscape as semi arid this time of year. Small depressions in between the rock will hold water and create mud bogs after a rain. The air is so crisp and fresh with the scent of REAL pine surrounding me.I stopped at the Frye Notch Lean-to for lunch and a rest after coming down the sharply sloping east peak. I was about to leave when MacGuyver showed up and asked where's everybody else. I was about to ask you the same thing I said. I stayed with Mac for her rest and then we headed north towards Andover.I love the section of Dunn Notch and falls. Steep narrow rock walls with a descending floor created great cascades and waterfalls. I get mesmerized by the water's rhapsody and motion and could sit there for hours.MacGuyver and I made it to the road and no Slick or Red.We searched for possible notes, none. Mac was writing a note to leave on the trail when Red explodes from the trees. She ran to catch up with Mac and I. Red was getting details how far she was from us from south bound hikers.One minute she would be 20 minutes away then 25-30. Red knew she was close and didn't want to be left at the trailhead for a hard hitch into Andover. Red said Captain Slick was at least an hour behind her.The three of us hitched a ride into town and was dropped off at the general store. We ate at the store's diner and had non-backpacking food and drink. After our meal we went over to Pine Ellis Hostel and checked in. Then for the grand finally of the day the three of us walked back to the general store where an ice cream store was next door. We all ordered banana splits, or as they say here in Maine, Banana Boats, each with three different scoops of ice cream for their boat. This was Red's and MacGuyver's first ever and to see their faces when given the boat was priceless.if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe