Date: 2004-10-01
From: Monson, ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Monson, ME @ 1228 Finish: Wilson Valley Lean-to @ 1742Miles: 10.4Weather: Clear Skies & Cool tempsBreakfast: Homefries, 3 Strips Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, English Muffin, French ToastLunch: Applesauce, Pudding Cups, Double Stuff Oreos.Dinner: Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper, Fudgeround, Hershey Miniatures.Trail Conditions: Moderate walking, lots of small climbs, waist deep ford at Big Wilson Stream.Animals: Birds, Grouse, SnakePeople: Momma¢s Boy, Pie Lady, Ken, DayhikersI started the day off right with a great breakfast made by the Pie Lady. I wasn¢t zeroing in town so I went to the Post Office after the chow and picked up my last food drop and a care package from Hannah Run, and hit Robinson¢s Mini Mart to buy some special goodies for the last leg of this trip. The Pie Lady's HouseHannah sent me the most awesome present ever. I¢ve carried all kinds of weird stuff this trip (i.e. toilet brush, straw hat, Tiki Torch, fly swatter) and also mapped where I was from in Michigan with the classic hand map. So, Hannah somehow found a bright blue oven-mitt with a map of Michigan and it¢s major cities. I laughed so hard when I saw it, its great. So, through the 100-mile and up K I will carry the oven-mitt. Awesome!I caught a ride out of town with Ken (trail name Strider) who finished hiking the AT in sections this year. I stood at the trailhead briefly and pushed out into the 100 mile to get this thing done. Its hard to believe I am almost done with the trail, an expose¢ will be coming shortly on this topic.The stretch of good weather we have been having is still going and it was another fabulous fall day. The trees are continuing to change and will be near peak foliage by the end of this week. Once again the hiking was just beautiful, traversing several small mountains and passing by numerous ponds and bogs. There was little breeze and the water was smooth as glass and acted as a perfect mirror. Little Wilson FallsI passed the beautiful Little Wilson Falls, about a 60-foot waterfall carved out of the slate bedrock. There was an enormous gorge and I could see the slate just stacked in sheets almost as if the canyon were built.About a mile later I hit my first serious ford of the trip ¢ Big Wilson Stream. I put on my waldies and with my boots in my left hand, pack on my back, and a pole in my right hand I ventured out about a forth of the way before turning back as I was almost swept away by the rivers current. I strapped my boots to my pack and headed out again with both poles. The water was chilly and nearly waist deep. The rocks on the bottom were very slick from algae and I couldn¢t see the bottom so before each step I jabbed around with my pole to find a place to step. The current was quite strong in places and I almost went under but was able to keep my balance on a protruding rock. I made it across after about 8 minutes (river was about 30 yards wide) with wet shorts, but dry everything else.I¢m alone tonight at the shelter which is nice. A day ahead is a group of 25 thru-hikers going through, many of which are drinking and getting stoned¢¦. Not how I want to spend my last week on the trail. I¢ll be hiking a leisurely pace making sure to stay behind them, and will enjoy the wonderful autumn in Maine in peace and quiet.