Date: 2009-09-30
From: Birches CS

To: Baxter Peak / Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 5.1

The day started early - we signed in at the trailhead at 6:30 after exchanging our packs for day packs at the ranger station. The skies showed promise of a clear day. The climb started almost immediately on a wide, soft path. The trail gradually turned increaingly rocky and the weather turned increasingly foggy and damp. The rocks increased in size and density until, when we reached treeline, they were refrigerator-sized and hiking poles became useless. As the altitude increased, the rocks increased in size. The trail ahead rose dramatically ahead and disappeared into a cloud of fog as the grade became steeper and steeper. I was crawling over huge, wet boulders. The trail started at 1000 ft and went almost straight up to more than 5000 ft - the steepest climb I recall on the trail. The fog drifted away, then came back, creating a chill that made my fingers numb. The climb upward continued until I reached the Table Land section - a relatively flat area consiting of a large field of suitcase-sized stones that extended over a mile. The final pitch up was again hand-over-hand until the famous terminus sign came into view. The climb took me 4.5 hours. Two other hikers were already there. The park below was largely obscurred by fog except for a sector which revealed a multicolored forest far below. As I stood surveying this scene, two large black birds flew by, swooped down to inspect the intruders to their domain, and then quickly flew away. I took photos and then placed my stone carried from Springer Mtn for the entire AT hike on the large pile of stones marking the peak. I welcomed Dioko as he emerged from the trail below and we had lunch. After more photos, we headed down. The descent was easier than I had anticipated. I was able to use my arms to let myself down off the many boulders using my arms and saving my knees. The time down was the same as the time up, although it seemed shorter. About a mile from the ranger station, the rain began. I went to the ranger station and exchanged packs, waiting for the shuttle to the hostel in Millinocket. Other hikers, including Dioko, came in as I waited. We were all very quiet. The long trip from Springer was over. This hike is dedicated to honoring the memory of my son Justus Cain McPherson (THA SKINNY 04). I took his orange Tennesse Vols cap, which he wore in 04, once again to the summit of Katahdin. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Paddy-O, Justus' friend and mentor on the trail, who provided him the support he needed at a time in his life he needed it most. Paddy-O shared his memories of Justus' hike with the Caboose Crew. I will always be greatful for his insights. A poem for Justus:"Outworn your heart; In time outworn,Now free of the nets of wrong and right,Let us laugh again in the gray twillight,Let us sigh again in the dew of the morn.Meet us there where hill is heaped upon hill,For there the mysterious brotherhoodOf sun and moonAnd river and streamAnd hollow and woodWork out their will,And God stands wending His lonly hornAnd time and the world are ever in flight,And love is less kind than the gray twillight,And hope is less dear than the dew of the morn.(From WBY)