Date: 2007-09-21
From: Abol Pines Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Big Brother, Decadad, and I were all up by 7am and eager to hit the trail. Our excitement level was definitely building as we packed up and got ready for our day's hike to Katahdin Stream Campground where we would be spending the night for our final day on the Appalachian Trail. Thinking about that made it all seem so surreal to me now. It seems hard to believe that it will all soon be coming to a final end.Big Brother and Decadad left our campsite first and I followed about 20 minutes later. I made a visit to the camp store for a cup of coffee before I got back on the trail. I thought I might see Big Brother and Decadad there, but they had already left. I did meet a ridge runner at the picnic table outside the store as I sipped my coffee and tried warming up on this chilly morning. She had previously thru hiked the AT (something most ridge runners seem to have in common) and her trail name was BlueBearee. She explained that she received that trail name because on the first night of her thru hike, a bear stole all her food.The hike to Katahdin Stream Campground from Abol Bridge is only about 10 miles, so I was in no rush at all today. The day was shaping up again into a class A hiking day. The trail was quite smooth and flat for most of the 10 miles and followed the Penobscot River for some time and then Nesowadnehunk Stream. After about 6 miles a side trail to Big Niagra Falls intersected the AT. I decided to drop my pack there, and walked down this blue trail to take a look at the falls. Big Niagra Falls was quite impressive and there were plenty of vantage points on smooth flat rock to view the falls. I rested there for a while in the warmth of the sun, taking pictures and feeling an occasional spray of water on my face from the churning white water of the falls.The trail climbed slightly after Big Niagra Falls, as it headed toward Daicey Pond. There were a quick succession of ponds (Grassy Pond, Elbow Pond, and Tracy Pond) after that and I eventually reached Katahdin Streams Campground around 1pm. There is a site in Katahdin Stream Campground, called The Birches, which is set aside for thru hikers. I would have normally camped there, but will be staying at one of the regular tent sites. Mark, a co-worker and friend, will be hiking up Katahdin with me tomorrow, and has reserved site #18 until Sunday. He and a friend, Barry, drove up yesterday and are set up on this site. I walked over to the ranger station to register as a thru hiker and pay my fee to stay at the campground for the night. I found out that I am the 270th thru hiker to arrive here. I was surprised because I thought I'd be somewhere in the mid to high 300's. I guess a lot of people have dropped out along the way.When I walked over to site #18 I saw a tent set up but Mark and Barry were not there. I assumed they were out hiking on this beautiful day. I cleaned up and basically made myself at home killing some time by relaxing in Mark's camp chair and of course eating. My wife Kathy, younger son David, and daughter Kerrie, were all scheduled to arrive later in the day. A friend, Scott, is also traveling with them. David and Scott will be camping here tonight and will also climb Katahdin with me tomorrow. As I sat back and relaxed I noticed that the AT (Hunt Trail) passed right by the campsite. This would hopefully allow me to say hello to any thru hikers I knew who ascended Katahdin today and were on their way back. As it turns out, during the course of the afternoon I was able to greet and congratulate Rebel, Snack Break, Big Shanty, Brue, Larry, and Sideshow. They all had a fantastic clear day on the summit, and all looked quite happy about completing their thru hike.At about 5pm Mark and Barry finally pulled in and about 10 minutes after that Kathy, Dave, Kerrie, and Scott drove up too. It was great to see everyone all at once, and there was a lot of excitement in the air. Kathy and Kerrie eventually departed for nearby Millinocket where they are staying at a hotel. They will return and join us tomorrow after I complete the hike up Katahdin. Mark and Barry cooked up a fine dinner of steak, rice, and vegetables and we all had our fill. After dinner Mark was tossing out the left over rice and vegetables and I stopped him mid-way. I grabbed the 2 pots and finished off the remains. I guess these thru hiker habits may be with me for a little while at least. Barry even had a mini keg of Heineken beer on ice. We talked around the campfire and discussed our plans for tomorrow, and eventually drifted off to our tents for a good night's sleep.