Date: 2007-08-12
From: Bemis Mtn Lean-to

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I had planned to hike over 17 miles to hwy ME4 and try to hitch into the town of Rangeley, ME. It was going to be a long day with several mountains to cross. I really wanted to make it to town for food, but thought it was unlikely I would get there today.I started hiking at 7:30. I was extra careful today after yesterday's falls. I was on my way down hill to hwy ME17. I passed John Knee Mud and Rockman slackpacking south again and a couple sobos. I have made a decision not to slackpack south. I have seen a lot of people slack packing and it looks tempting. They are carrying a 10 lb. Day pack and moving quickly and easily over the trails, while I am carrying my 35 lb pack and working very hard. I thought about slackpacking way back in Franklin, NC, but things didn't work out. At this point I just want to keep carrying my pack north. I have also heard of some people skipping sections, but I am not doing that either.I hiked to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to for lunch. I went for a dip in the pond to cool down while I was there. It started raining while I was in the pond. I went to the lean-to and cooked lunch. I decided if the rain didn't stop I would stay there for the night. About an hour later the sky had cleared so I continued hiking.It is amazing how many mud pits the trail runs through in the northeast. Here in Maine I am either climbing up or down a hill or jumping across rocks, roots, and boards to keep my feet dry and out of the mud. It doesn't appear any effort is made to divert the water away from the trail. There are a lot of trees and boards placed across some of the spots, but others are just open mud pits. It is difficult to hike at a good pace here, because you are constantly dealing with obstacles. I miss the southern trails.I reached Little Swift River Pond Campsite at 6:00. I sat down to think about my next step. There was a sobo there already set up to camp. Ski man and Catchup arrived and started setting up camp and a group of about 10 teenage boys arrived. I talked to the sobo for a while. She asked me: "Are you okay?" She is the fourth person in four days to ask me this. I must not be okay! She said the trail was easy up to hwy ME4. It was still 4.8 miles away and it was already 6:20 PM. The town of Rangeley is 9 miles from the trail crossing.I decided to try to make it to town. I hiked as fast as I could. I didn't think it was easy trail. There were no big hills anywhere, but the trail was full of roots, rocks, and mud pits. It was starting to get dark and I would need to hitch to make it to town. I finally reached the road at 8:10. A few cars drove past. I put my thumb out, but no one stopped. It was getting dark. I considered camping near the road and trying to hitch in the morning. I had no cell phone coverage, so I couldn't call the hostel shuttle. I really wanted some food from town. I decided to walk to town. I figured it would take me about 3 hours. I didn't want to camp and then not get a ride in the morning and have to walk anyway. Dozens of vehiles drove by. Some slowed down but didn't stop. I had been walking on the road for about an hour and a half. I decided I would stop for a break at the top of the next hill. I remembered I had some Jolly Rancher candy in my pocket. I reached in my pocket and pulled one out. It was a green apple, my favorite. There had only been 2 green apple candies in the whole bag. I thought this is my first good luck in days and things were going to change. About a minute later a vehicle passed me and stopped a 100 feet up the road and backed up. I guy named Jared asked if I wanted a ride to town. 8 said yes and away we went. He lives in Rangeley and dropped me off at the Rangeley Inn. It cost $116 a night, but I didn't care. I paid for 2 nights, dropped my pack in my room, and walked across the street to Sarge's Pub. It was busy at 9:30 on a Sunday night. I ordered chicken tenders and a cheese steak bomb with fries. I ate all of it and then ordered apple crisp with ice cream for dessert. It was good.I felt much better and went back to the hotel for a shower and some sleep.