Date: 2018-08-10
From: Pleasant Mountain Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a gorgeous day and fitting that the first climb was up Pleasant Mountain. The 1,100¢ ascent was a relatively easy one in the cool morning air. A brisk wind at the summit made it a little nippy. I took advantage of the first good signal in awhile to load pics and call WW. From Pleasant Mtn it was 7 miles to the Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to. The stretch was mostly downhill and included a walk beside Moxie Pond. The trail crossed Baker Stream just above the top of the pond. The feeder stream was listed as a ford, but I was able to rock hop without too much difficulty. Feeling a little deplete of energy I stopped at the Lean-to for an early lunch. Next up was the 1,300¢ climb up Moxie Bald. The trail passed through some huge boulder formations and by some caves during the ascent. The granite mountain rose above the trees for the final 1/2 mile stretch. A cool breeze kicked in again and I felt as though I was walking to the sky. The top of the Moxie Bald (properly referred to as Big Bald Mountain) is mostly barren as a result of a forest fire in the early 1900s. To me it looks like a graveyard for Spruce Trees. The views from the top were spectacular in every direction. I could see back to the Bigelows and Moxie Pond and forward to the ponds and mountains ahead. The blueberries at the top were also plump, juicy, and delicious. I stopped every 100 yards or so to pick off a few of the tasty all natural treats. It was a fairly steep descent down to the Bald Mountain Pond Lean-to. From here it is 18 miles to ME Rte 76 (Monson). It was still early so I decided to hike 9 more miles to the next shelter, cutting my hike tomorrow in half. Easier said than done. Although there were stretches of nice flat terrain, I also encountered two streams that required fording. The first was the Bald Mountain, the outlet for Bald Mountain Pond. I removed my mostly dry hiking shoes, put on my camp sandals (Zeros), and waded through the ankle to knee-deep water. On the other side I swapped out shoes again. The whole process takes about 15-20 minutes to cover just 20 yards. Between the Bald Mtn. Stream and The West Branch of the Piscataquis River, the terrain was fairly flat and easy. On the ford across this stream, the water was up to my thighs in places. The trail followed the final 3 miles, cutting up and snaking down the side of the canyon along the way. The going was slow and tedious.I arrived at the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to at around 6:30, 12 hours after my hiking day began. I was alone at the 8-person shelter when I arrived. Another hiker showed up at dark and pitched a tent.  I saw him earlier in the day and he told me he was unable to get up Katahdin on the first try and that it took him 20 days to get through the 100 mile wilderness. For the past several weeks he has been hiking back and forth on this section trying to get in shape. He said he is ready now to hike Mount K and continue his SOBO hike to Georgia. Now that¢s determination.The temperature dropped quickly after sunset. I zipped up the foot box and cinched up the straps on my quilt and crawled inside. I was tired after a pleasant yet long day on the AT. The journal would have to wait until the morning.  Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 3,735Descent - 4,380Grade - 7.0Weather:Day - 74 / SunnyNight - 51 / ClearOver The Horizon: The 100 Mile Wilderness