Date: 2022-08-17
From: Bald Mtn Pond Lean-to Mile 2061.9

To: Shaw's Hostel (ME 15) Mile 2079.8
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Orchid and I both woke up early to the sound of chattering squirrels and things hitting the ground. Our best guess is that the squirrels were throwing pine cones at us. By the time we got out of the tent they had stopped so not sure exactly what it was. We headed down to the pond to look for moose and see if there would be a sunrise but it was already too overcast.  After yesterday¢s big day we still had 18 miles to get into Monson to Shaw¢s Hiker Hostel where we are spending the night. The terrain today is relatively unremarkable, with minimal elevation gain, except for three wet water crossings. There is the treat of rain in the afternoon so either way we¢re probably getting wet today. The first crossing had a bunch of mud flats before and after the stream, and the bottom of the stream was also supposed to be pretty mucky. Since my camp shoes are a bit loose I decided to keep my shoes on to make the crossing. We were able to mostly stay clean through the mud flats and then waded through the water which was not actually that muddy or mucky. I should have just done the camp shoes or at least taken taken my socks and insoles off before.The next crossing of the West Branch of the Piscataquis River was .4 miles further and we just walked through the water which wasn¢t much more than knee deep on me. The bottom was very slippery though so you definitely want to make sure the dry bag liner is sealed well before doing any water crossing. Afterwards we wrung the excess water out of the socks before heading on. As we were heading out, Aqua came up to the river wearing crocs so clearly it would have been OK with the camp shoes. Live and learn.At the final crossing of the East Branch of the Piscataquis River my shoes were drying out slightly so I opted to put on camp shoes. This one was lower thigh at the deepest part and I just got the bottom of the shorts wet as I didn¢t roll them up. Certainly gives us some experience before the bigger water crossing in the hundred mile wilderness. I think that if the shoes are currently dry I¢ll use the camp shoes, but if they are already wet it¢s not worth the effort. I¢ve heard there¢s more wet trail in the wilderness so we¢ll see. In the end my shoes and gators got the most muddy when I misinterpreted a comment about were there was good water at the shelter we stopped at for a snack. I thought 40 yards down hill from the spring and followed a bunch of footprints 3 mucky muddy steps down before deciding that was wrong. It was 40 yards down the AT instead. We got some afternoon drizzle but it really wasn¢t bad under the tree canopy. We hiked with Aqua for a while, chatting about family and summit plans. Orchid and I stopped for a late lunch under some pine trees that was still dry despite the rain. We got to the parking lot about 3:30 and Orchid¢s husband was scheduled to picking us up at 4:10 but we were able to find a dry place to sit. A bunch of southbound hikers came up to the lot while we were there, including Bolt who was slackpacking south today in the hundred mile wilderness which we didn¢t even know was a possibility. We got picked up and headed to the hostel where we got checked in. I¢m in a semi-private room with a southbound hiker Fungo who unfortunately has to head back home for a family emergency. We got showers and headed out for dinner. Tried for ice cream but the place closed at 7. Headed back to the hostel where we caught up with Grits, Timex, Paws, Beer Girl and Roller all of whom are here tonight. It¢s bittersweet as it¢s likely we¢ll not see any of them again as they will summit a couple of days before us. Days in ME without Moose sighting: 14Steps 31700Weather Forecast: 68/60 with rain