Date: 2012-09-14
From: Gravel road at Sandy Stream (ME)

To: US 201 (Caratunk, ME) 
Miles today: 11.5

Day 157: Pierce Pond and the Kennebec River [The sound of heavy machinery was pervasive in the Maine woods this morning. Although some of it sounded quite close, we did not leave the trail to investigate. However, we believe it could not be good news for any healthy mature tree sitting outside the narrow AT protected corridor...]After a short walk back to the AT this morning, our primary task was to cover the 11.5 miles to the Kennebec ferry before boatman Hillbilly Dave closed up shop for the day. We knew we couldn't make it before his 11am canoe lunch break, so we took it easy and enjoyed the lack of elevation change, and especially the lack of serious mud along the way. East Carry Pond was like a mirror, sparkling in the early bright sun as we walked along the west and north shores. Volunteers had positioned lumber along the way for several future replacement projects on the area's many bog boards. It obviously is an ongoing need, as we saw the full range of conditions on ways to cross wet areas, from the brand new to the dangerously rickity.Seven and a half miles in, we came to the serene Pierce Pond, which has been so much in our recent thoughts. Much like the feeling of our own Shiloh Battlefield, what a peaceful spot today for the site of such a tragic event this past June. We had not expected to come here to make sense of the senseless, or to find answers to questions like why a young man like Paul "Parkside" Bernhardt had to be taken from his family and friends at the tender age of 20, but after sitting quietly on the bank of the pond for several minutes, we did have a strong sense that his spirit lives on here. Someone has carved a simple tribute to Parkside on a log overlooking the water, while his family has left his picture at the shelter, along with a list of safety suggestions in hopes of preventing future drownings as a result of cramps. The AT is not what one would consider a "dangerous" place, but with just a second of inattention or poor judgement, a bad accident is constantly just a single step away. We will try to carry that lesson on to Katahdin as we continue to keep Parkside's family in our thoughts and prayers.Past the shelter, the AT crosses a shaky wooden dam at the pond's low end. As we carefully made our way across this obstacle, we could see and hear the Pierce Pond Stream spilling out from underneath us. We would parallel and enjoy this stream with its many cascades and waterfalls for the next four miles down to its junction with the Kennebec. The trail here was much rougher than we had expected, but we had allowed ourselves ample time to make the 2pm ferry. In fact we had enough time for a half hour lunch break at the river. GOMan had arrived at the landing spot at noon, and had watched the Kennebec make a rapid 18" rise after its midday water release at the upstream dam. Right at 2pm, Hillbilly Dave brought a SOBO'er with his dog across, and we could make our three crossings, two people at a time. Dave is quite efficient, and we were all standing on the north bank by 2:25.The Northern Outdoors resort where Susan had delivered our resupply CARE package, offers an afternoon shuttle, but only at 4pm, so we were forced to hitch the two miles to the hotel. After taking showers and starting our laundry, we inventoried our collective food supply, and believe with Susan's additions we have enough supplies to make it the 36 miles to Monson and the start of the 100 Mile Wilderness. -There is rain in the forecast for tonight, and as so often been the case, we selfishly hope it will be over by dawn, or, better yet, not come at all. Our ideal weather now would be two weeks of drought in Maine, followed by a crystal clear day on top of Katahdin...