Date: 2013-06-11
From: Katahdin Stream Campgrounds

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4

DAY 2MILES ON AT FOR DAY= 13.4MILES TOTAL FOR DAY= 13.4Last night I actually slept great! No bear nightmares! It's too bad we'll be leaving this lean-to because I was just finally getting used to it! I did wake up though with pain from the wrath of Katahdin. Tight and sore quads and calves and very sunburnt arms. Nothing I couldn't deal with though.We woke up nice and early at 4:45am and took our time packing up. This type of thing would never happen without an alarm clock for me back in the real world haha. Were still in the process of getting down a morning routine so its still takes time to get going in the morning. Once we were ready though, we set out around 6:45am to head out of Baxter State Park. It rained but not too heavy and nothing we couldn't deal with. Although, it definitely made our trek a little slower considering all the slippery roots and rocks. Plus when its raining and your boots and clothes get soaked, that also means they're heavier. Added weight... Gross. This section of the trail leading out of Baxter State Park was pretty flat for the most part which was great considering that it was our first day with our full packs and again they are at their heaviest right now. Regardless of our overfull packs and slick trails, we went through 10miles pretty quickly. Along the way we forded our first two rivers which were waist high and a little sketchy with all the rain fall, but we did it and it was invigorating! We also saw some great waterfalls called "Little Niagra Falls" and "Big Niagra Falls". Along a super flat area coming up on a pond I looked ahead and squinted and said "Is that a horse up there? Holy shit! It's a moose!" There he was, a full grown bull just grazing in the pond in the middle of the day. We were maybe only 40 feet away. Only our 3rd day and already 2 moose!! I also almost stepped on a 12inch tortoise not paying attention to where I was walking who was trying to lay eggs in the middle of the trail. Not a good place for your babies turtle. After those 10 miles with no breaks, we were pretty tired. With all the pack weight I was now starting to feel aches in my knees, hips, and shoulders.I knew it was bound to happen but a break was much needed. We hit Abol Campground where we had a lunch of champions: large coffee, 2 slim jims, a bagel with PB, and a lake trout stout. Doodles and UPS came along after us about 10 minutes later and we all caught up for a bit, all planning to stay at the same campsite. After taking about an hour to rejuvenate and chat, we set off again across the Abol Bridge which would mark the beginning of the 100-mile Wilderness. Again this is the longest stretch on the AT where there is just dense wilderness (100 miles... obviously) with not many towns or help close by so you need to go in prepared. So in we went.It was only 3.5 miles before we would come to Hurd Brook Lean-to, our place to stay for the night. I was ready for it too. Everything was starting to ache at this point and i had been walking for 8 hours now soaked. It was time to get warm and dry. The 100-mile wilderness fit its name. Right after you stepped into it, it was such a lush color green everywhere. Everything covered in moss and lichen. So dense as well. When we came to the lean-to another SoBo hiker was already there. His name was Jack and he was also from NYC. He had just finished his undergrad and was now doing a SoBo hike before heading off to grad school in Australia. After 20 minutes or so Doodles and UPS came along as well. We'd have our first little community experience!These lean-to's are much larger than the previous ones. They fit 6 people and there's no privacy but at least you get to know your fellow hikers! As I lay here now before heading off to sleep at 7:30pm (soooo early), I wonder how people did it before these lean-to's. Having a roof over my head and a dry place to sleep is something I'm so grateful for and something I know I won't have every rainy day on the trail. Just happy I have it now! Tomorrow will be even more rain but well be ready for it with some Ibuprofen in hand! Cheers!