Date: 2014-09-13
From: Rainbow lake campsite mile 2159

To: Birches lean to -mile 2180.3
Miles today: 21.3

Rainbow lake campsite mile 2159- birches lean to mile 2180.321.3 miles5.2 miles to go!The last day in the 100 mile wilderness, chilly (a thermometer in the privy of all places read 40 degrees) & my numbed fingers w/out that information said it was cold. Fortunately, the wind was still & the lake beautiful. See pic.The plan for the day, simply put, a 21 mile stroll to the birches lean-to at Katahdin stream campground, soaking up the last bit of wilderness in preparation for summiting Katahdin on Sunday (weather permitting). Friends were en route to meet me Sunday morning. Fortunately, I found a site w/ texting capability(on a rock jutting into the lake) to ensure them I could cover the distance. Unfortunately, I hadn't seen how the weather prediction had changed since I left civilization other than clouds were beginning to move in & the wind had picked up. The forests were of course beautiful. See a bunch of trail pics. As I am going to miss it, I just kept clicking. Exiting the wilderness onto the golden road(see pic), I turned east, was crossing the bridge over the west branch Penobscot River & there my Katahdin was! See pic. What a beautiful oblong hunk of a formidable mountain to behold! The Penobscot Indians named it - The Greatest Mountain. To think I would summit that rock(hopefully Sunday) seemed surreal. Back to business, I walked to the Abol general store & restaurant. See pics. This is what they mean by the term, northern terminus of the 100 mile wilderness-FOOD! There were plenty of road crossings in the wilderness, but no food.   This building & campground operate off the grid using a diesel generator. Lunch was very good but when it came time to re supply my pilfered snack & chocolate stores for the afternoon & tomorrow, it was a sad state of affairs. I guess car campers don't eat cliff or kind bars, 70% cocoa chocolate or seeds/nuts. Next, off to Baxter state park entrance. See pics. At the kiosk, it advises not to come up to the lean to if the list is full. Yep, the list is full even though I haven't seen a NoBo for 3 days/nights! I press on anyway hoping for an overflow area. The woods are lush following along the WB Penobscot river. See pic. The trail was thankfully smooth-ish allowing for a 3 mph pace so I could hopefully check in before 5, ie meet w/ a ranger. I can't describe the beauty of the forests & rivers/streams (next were forks of Nesowadnehunk stream) well enough. See pics. Big Niagra falls was impressive. There I met Flat, fellow thru hiker I hadn't seen in ages. Onward, along Daicey pond, I met up w/ a wonderful group of ladies that have been hiking here for 25 years! See pic. They offered me a place to stay "just in case". Whew, I can relax! On along grassy pond, another view of my mountain, drawing ever closer. The forests continue as beautiful mixtures of old and young growth. See pic. I arrive at the campground & there are a series of mini sized lean to's along the creek! See pic. So this is how you camp in Maine! Fortunately, the ranger was still there, & kindly used to life w/ AT hikers! He was writing the list of hikers that had registered at the kiosk. Yes, someone drives through the park to read the registers & reports back to base! I am allowed to stay. Yoo-hoo!I am officially hiker #494 registered to summit. The ranger advised the number is up 75 over last year this time & they expect over 1000 to summit this year! Now if the rain will finish its chore by morning. All for now,Red Robin