Date: 2008-08-01
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to To: Abol BridgeToday's Mileage: 15.0Total Mileage: 2158.9Well once again it rained hard all night and I was very glad that we were in a shelter. We go up early and all the males in the shelter just kept sleeping on, but I know the north bounders will still pass us during the day. After packing up and getting ready to start out, the rain started to come down in torrents! We just stood under the over hang until it slowed down some but still had to start off in the rain. The first thing going north in front of the shelter is a 30-foot log bridge that was now all wet, but I carefully crossed it and we headed out. It didn¢t take us long to become soaked to the skin, feet and all. There were some rocks, mud, and bogs but overall again the trail was not too bad and we were glad as we had 15 miles to go again today. My back was a little better today as our pack was somewhat lighter. By the time we took our first lunch, the rain had stopped and Recon changed into dry cloths and I did change my wet socks. This guy, who is section-hiking parts of Maine, passed us and he is hiking in only socks and Crocks. I have known others who have done that, but I am sure I could not hike in my Crocks and survive this trail. Also the two north bounders (one thru hiker and a friend section hiker) passed us and one had earphones in and almost ran me down as he was traveling so fast and looking at his feet. Recon and I had a long discussion as to why someone would do that and not want to hear the sounds of the woods. You might as well be walking on a road with traffic.We traveled along Rainbow Stream and Rainbow Lake for the first eight miles or so and enjoyed the water. That is one of the best things about the 100 Miles is all the water you get to hike close to. Some of it is not as fun because around much of the water there are a lot of rocks and roots but you still get to look out at the water.When we climbed Rainbow Ledges we found the most abundant and ripest blueberries we have see so far. They were hanging off the bushes and you could pick four or five at a time. But the rain had started again and we had really counted on stopping there to dry out some of our stuff, but no, we had to just pick and eat and keep walking. I was actually pushing Recon ahead as she just wanted to eat the berries. Once we dropped in elevation we could take a break and the rain slowed under the thick woods. I would love to go back up there one day on a bright sunny day!We arrived at Hurd Brook Lean-to and the north bounders were still there. We had only 3.5 miles to go but they were going all the way to the Birches another 13 or so miles. We are slow but steady hikers.We arrived at Abol Bridge and Mary Anne was there to pick us up to get dry before our hike into Baxter and up Katahdin. We went to Big Eddy Campground (named because there is a huge eddy right in front of the campground that continues to circle around, very cool). We were very glad to have hot showers after many days of wet and stink in the 100-Miles and dry clean cloths to put on our bodies. Mary Anne fixed us a great dinner and firs and we sat in front of the water and relaxed. We went to bed clean and dry in the large tent.