Date: 2009-07-23
From: Potaywadjo Springs Lean-To.

To: Jo Mary Road
Miles today: 7.7

09-61-5-ME, Potaywadjo Springs Lean-To to Jo Mary Road, 7.7 Miles, Southbound.Weather: Overcast with clouds, possibility of scattered thunderstorms. Day 5 of a 5 day backpacking trip.Today is the last day of my five day backpacking trip into the northern 41 miles of the 100 Mile Wilderness. I will met my super support team, my wife, at Cooper Brook Bridge on Jo Mary Road. It has been a challenge, enjoyable in a painful sort of way, but I am glad to finish this hike.Off again early at 7:00 AM without seeing any of the Scouts. One of the leaders slept in the Lean-To to let his tent dry out after the hard rain storm. We talk some and he asked me to send an email to his wife to let them know that the group is fine and making their way according to their plan. They still have three days left on their hike to get to their end point. I wish them luck and leave the Lean-To heading south towards Jo Mary Road. This Lean-To had the most outstanding Privy I have seen on the AT so far. It had windows with curtains, but still very private. Back rest behind the potty, skylights for more light, and very few insects. It look reasonable new.... very nice.Most of today's hike will be along a sort of level run of terrain. I have no major climbs today. Passed along the shores of Lower Jo Mary Lake where again I can see numerous gravel or sand beaches. At one point the trail runs right next to the lake shore and makes for a nice section of hiking. The lakes are really beautiful in Maine. The stream crossings were still there, but not as many. All crossing had some way that I could get over the water without getting wet. The tree roots were present, but not with the frequency of the past days. Just when I think that I am finally on dry land, I come to an extensive run of bog log bridges, but it is easy because the log bridges are not wet and easy to walk on across the wet bogs. Passed by Antlers Campsite, a designated camping site between Lean-Tos. This campsite sits on the hillside of the lake, complete with a Privy and looks into the lake. It also has a nice beach for swimming. There were about five tents set up when I passed and I could hear voices from the tent area as the hikers were waking up.Came to Mud Pond with two outlet streams leaking into Lower Jo Mary Lake. This sure looked like a great place to spot a moose and it is early in the morning, but no luck. Then passed Cooper Pond with the same impression, but also no moose.I know that I am within two miles of Jo Mary Road and my pick up point. In the past five days of hiking, I have thought about my backpacking future and have concluded that it is time to hang up my backpacking shoes for the summer. I will do day hikes whenever possible, but I don't care to keep punishing myself with the aches and pains associated with carrying a heavy backpack. I have completed the three goals that I set for myself at the start of my AT journey back in 2006. That of (1) reaching Harpers Ferry; (2) hiking half of the trail in mileage; and (3) climbing Katahdin. At the young age of 75, I feel I have accomplished what I wanted to do on the AT. Now our summer will be spent doing some of the things and projects that my wife wants to do, as she has been a wonderful support team, picking me up and dropping me off at remote road access points and encouraging me on with my AT hiking. So I end this hike with a good feeling and knowing that when I return to the Appalachian Trail to continue my adventure, I will still look back on this decision and know it was right. But for now I feel my hiking will be limited to day hiking on the AT. I will probably resume my AT hiking in May and June of 2010. Next summer I will split my time between hiking on the AT and hiking some on the Mountains to Sea Trail in North Carolina.Good luck to past, present and future hikers on all trails and of all ages. Enjoy the trek as nature is beautiful and the experience will live with you forever.