Date: 2015-08-15
From: Stratton Brook Pond Rd

To: Long falls dam road
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a warm night last night. We didn't really need our sleeping bags. We woke this morning at 05:40 and had a nice leisurely breakfast. I even had a cup of coffee. I hit the trail at 06:20 and Lavender walked the first mile or so with me. We said our goodbyes and she headed back to the car. I hiked towards South Horn Mountain. I had a tough day in front of me and the trail was pretty much what I expected. The hike up to South Horn Mountain was very steep and a lot of the time very rocky. It was a climb up of over 2600 feet in just 4 miles. There was some very amazing trail building as there were beautiful rock steps. I really don't know how the rocks are placed as they are huge, heavy rocks. I did appreciate all these rock steps as it made the climb easier than having to scs4traramble over the rocks. I get tired of hiking up steps. But, that is better than clamoring over wet rocks. There are alot of rocks in Maine. About 500 feet from the top, the clouds started rolling in. By the time I summited I had no view at all. It's always a bit disappointing to work so hard climbing a mountain when all you see at the top is fog.   After a short break I started a steep rocky descent across a ridge line and then started the climb up to Bigelow Mountain West peak. It was another tough climb up to the summit.   The peak was at an elevation of 4145 feet. The clouds were blowing by and occasionally I had good views down to the valleys and lakes below.    Of course I then descended 600 feet only to climb back up 500 feet to Avery Peak. Avery Peak is just over 4000 feet and is the last mountain over 4000 feet I'll have to climb before Mt. Katahdin at the end. The clouds had pretty much cleared by now. So the views were fantastic. I took my morning break here and enjoyed the views. It is hard to believe that in less than 2 weeks I will be finished and I won't get to see these kind of views on a daily basis. I am ready to be finished because I'm worn out but I know I will miss the trail. After break was finished I started the 1800 foot descent down to Safford Notch. This had some rocky areas but a lot of the trail was dirt and it was easy to make good time on this section. Next it was back up 800 to Little Bigelow Mountain. I stopped here for my lunch break. It was good to get my boots and socks off and let my feet rest a bit. The views from here were beautiful. I think Maine has to be one of my favorite states on the trail. On the climb down off of Little Bigelow a hawk flew right down the trail towards me and then landed just off the trail in a tree and watched me while I watched him. After a couple minutes I moved on and let him have that section of the forest to himself.   It was a long 1800 foot descent down to East Flagstaff Road. On the descent, I came across truly organic wild blueberries. It was a never ending patch of berries.   It had to be at least a mile long. I indulged to my hearts content. But, I knew I had to continue hiking as Lavander was waiting at the bottom of this descent.    I took my afternoon break with Lavander and then hiked on another 3 miles to the next road crossing to end my day. Lavander was waiting there for me. We made dinner, instant mashed potatoes, and then set up camp. I'm really tired from the last few days of climbing the mountains of Maine.