Date: 2011-06-01
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I begin my last day in Baxter State Park today. The hike passes Little Niagara Falls and Big Niagara Falls, which both were significantly smaller than the waterfall most people picture when they think of Niagara Falls. While viewing the falls, I met Mary (Trail Name: Valderie) who is about to have her 61st birthday on the trail! She hiked last year from Springer Mountain, GA to Gorham, NH, and plans on going southbound from Katahdin, ME to Gorham this year. All lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams are extremely high due to the very wet spring Maine has experienced this year. All of the rain, mixed with a significant amount of snowmelt, makes for some very wet hiking. Although the air temperature is somewhat comfortable, the water is quite cold. In fact, a portion of the trail follows the West Branch Penobscot River and a few white water rafting companies were taking customers down the river in wetsuits. When fording a high water area, one is usually only in the water for a brief period of time. However, with the plethora of bodies of water throughout Maine, entire portions of the trail were underwater. So far today, the water has not been above thigh deep, but soon I find myself in chest deep water. The ground cannot be seen through the water, and the slick rocks and roots are inviting me for a swim. Places that are not rocky or laced with tree roots are a thick mud that sucks your feet down into it. Soon I am met by a man with a canoe. Yes, a man was canoeing the Appalachian Trail! He informed me that the trail will soon be over my head for an extended period of time. Obviously, swimming with a full, saturated pack is not only dangerous due to drowning, but also hypothermia due to the ridiculous water temperatures. The man in the canoe had given one hiker (Mary) a ride in has canoe down the trail to more manageable depths, but for me he simply gave loosely detailed directions to a higher route that he said would connect back with the A.T. in roughly two miles. So I had to walk a bit farther, but staying a purist in the aforementioned situation would verge on stupidity. I am forced into long pants, long sleeves, and my head net due to the black flies and mosquitoes. I am soon out of Baxter State Park and set up my tent at Abol Bridge. I am camping with Ed and a group of three friends from New England with Mohawk haircuts (Brad, Cody, and Brett).   The three friends also plan on making a southbound hike to Georgia.   Tomorrow Ed plans to go to Millinocket, ME to mail home some heavy items out of his pack, although he is still going to try to get in a few miles in the afternoon. Tomorrow starts the 100 Mile Wilderness. The next place to obtain supplies is Monson, ME, which is roughly 100 miles south. My legs are sunburned from climbing Katahdin in shorts, which causes less than pleasant feelings as I extend and flex my legs.   I remain in my tent due to the swarms of insects continuing their attacks. As for now to bed I go, tomorrow I walk.Hahahaha, I have been so occupied with so many other things that as I complied my online journal from my written notes i just found that I had two Day 2s. So enjoy either one, or both!Today I learn the hard way that a seemingly flat trail in Maine is anything but easy. If an endless array of awkward rocks and roots weren't enough, perhaps the mud and muck (bogs) will get you or your shoes. Needless to say, I am moving quite a bit slower than expected from the elevation profile. Today has had countless water crossings, as well as seemingly endless areas of flooded trail from overflowing rivers, lakes, and streams. Remember, this is snow melt and the water is quite cold. Early in the day the water never gets above waist high, but soon enough there are repeating chest deep areas! I soon meet a man with a canoe. Yes, a canoe. He has been paddling the Appalachian Trail! He tells me that the water ahead is 7 feet deep or more. He tells me not to worry,and gives me directions on how to walk around the deepest areas. I found out later that he gave one hiker a ride in his canoe down the trail. The insects are out in force today, but I assume it is due to the bog-water-bog layout of today's trail. Finally I exit the boundaries of the state park. There is a brief road walk between Baxter State Park and the 100 Mile Wilderness down Golden Road. I quickly find out that Golden Road is a logging truck Autobaun! I set up my tent by the river just before crossing Abol Bridge and attempt to fortify myself against the invading insects. I have quickly learned that while in Maine, if it buzzes it bites. The primary attackers are the black flies and the mosquitoes. I keep my tent zipped and dread the thought of getting out for any reason. The locals will be the first to tell you that regardless of what bug spray you use, the New England insects only view it as a nice sauce on their meat. This certainly seems true. Also, my neck and legs are sunburned from when I hiked Katahdin. Ed arrives and tells me he is going to Millinocket tomorrow to mail items home due to his pack feeling too heavy. He offers to mail items home for me if I wish, and I come up with nearly two pounds to mail home! I force myself to get ready for bed, for tomorrow starts the 100 Mile Wilderness.