Date: 2004-09-06
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to, ME

To: Day 131: Moxie Pond, ME
Miles today: 15.9

In the Pierce Pond Lean-to I found a poster announcing that the ATC/MATC-sponsored canoe ferry across the Kennebec River (the official White Blaze route) did not start until 9:00 a.m., so given that I was only 3.7-miles away, I took my time on the morning of AT Day 131 and didn¢t leave camp to nearly 7:00 a.m. Despite this late start, and despite the fact that the trail was a lot rougher (rocks, roots, mud, small but steep hills and ¢interesting¢ log bridges perched high over small streams), and that I was slowed taking pictures of the many waterfalls of the Pierce Pond Stream, I still arrived at the shores of the Kennebec at 8:45 a.m.Since I had the time, I studied this 70-yard wide waterway and couldn¢t believe that anyone would be foolish enough to try and ford it on foot (an AT through hiker drowned trying this in 1985 and many others have had close calls), especially after reading the sign warning of the dangerous currents and the fact that the water level can rise 2-4 feet at any time due to unscheduled water releases from upstream dams. I did notice, however, that this warning did not scare the local moose population as I could clearly see one of these magnificent beasts walking or swimming across the river perhaps a quarter mile upstream from where I stood.Once the ferry arrived, I loaded my pack in the bottom of the canoe and assisted the ¢captain,¢ Steve, in paddling across the river ¢ great fun! In route to the safety of the other side, Steve told me that the water had been at least two feet deeper yesterday afternoon when he took my friend Mushroom across ¢ thus further underscoring the unpredictability of this river and the value of the canoe ferry service.As I was packing up to leave the river¢s edge at around 9:30 a.m., Steve told me that with the exception of the minor delay caused by the Pleasant Pond ¢speed bump,¢ I should have little trouble in completing my 15.9-mile goal for the day and that I should find campsites at Moxie Pond. He also told me that the sun should soon be coming out and that the remnants of Hurricane Frances shouldn¢t reach us for another couple or days. Well for the most part, Steve¢s pronouncements were right on the money, however, even though the sun did indeed come out, the Pleasant Pond Mountain ¢speed bump¢ turned out to be a grueling 1.1-mile climb of 1,150 feet.I started this challenging climb immediately after finishing my lunch at the Blue-Blazed trailhead leading to the Pleasant Pond Lean-to where I was passed by several groups of day-hikers. I guess I shouldn¢t have been too surprised by the high traffic of day hikers since it was Labor Day and the trailhead was only about a mile from a parking lot on Hangtown Road. In any event, having all of the day hikers in front of me gave me something to shoot for as I climbed. With this added stimulus, I was pleased and proud to discover that I could indeed catch and pass two groups of hikers, all of whom were much younger than me and none of whom were carrying heavy packs. What an ego boost! In any event, the Pleasant Pond Mountain peak (2,470-feet) turned out to be lovely with numerous large exposed rock ridges and 360-degree panoramas. Clearly this was not news to the locals as in addition the people I passed in completing the climb, at the summit I met at least another half dozen day hikers.The 5-mile decent down 1,500-feet to Moxie Pond was a pleasantly easy way for me to end the day, but unlike what the canoe ferry captain, Steve had claimed, I could find no usable campsites on the shores of the pond so I was forced to ford the outflow stream, Baker Brook and then proceed onward for another quarter mile until I found a usable spot around 4:50 p.m. The fording of Baker Brook was an interesting challenge as some of rock steps were under water, but I nonetheless elected to forego putting on my water sandals and I was lucky enough to get across without submerging my boots. I did, however, promise myself to not be so daring in the future¢¦