Date: 2007-09-17
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to another cold morning and a quick start to try and warm up. This could become the usual pattern for the remainder of the hike if the temperatures continue to drop with the onset of the Fall season. I still have not seen any moose yet, even though I constantly see signs of their presence everywhere on the trail. I begin to wonder if I will ever see one before this hike is over. The climb up Chairback Mtn. (2219 ft.) was less of a challenge then I heard it would be. It is another beautiful hiking day. After about 5 miles I reached the West Branch of the Pleasant River and was able to easily cross by rock hopping with no wet shoes today! I hear there is a really beautiful off trail loop hike through a nearby area called Gulf Hagas. I'd love to see this area, but the hike is a good 5 miles off the AT and would mean I'd have to skip a section of the AT. I will pass it up, but would like to return to hike it some day in the future.The trail leading up to the Gulf Hagas Trail was flat and virtually rock and root free. It was a pleasure to hike on while it lasted. After a long 10 mile morning I decided to pull into the Carl A. Newall Lean-to for lunch. A ridge runner and former thru hiker, by the name of "Pop Tart" was already there eating his lunch. I was glad to be there since the last few miles seemed to drag on and my energy level was dropping fast. "Pop Tart" and I had a great conversation about so many aspects of thru hiking. It was a conversation I could only have with another thru hiker, and it was amazing how we were both so in tune with the joys and the pains of the thru hiking experience."Pop Tart" eventually packed up and continued down the trail and I followed about 20 minutes later after downing the last of a strong cup of coffee. Maybe it was the coffee, or just the uplifting conversation with "Pop Tart", but the next 7 miles seemed to fly by. I passed through, and really enjoyed a few open areas that were allowing a good amount of sunlight through. Having the sunlight shine through the woods and warm the body on a cool day like today, is always a treat. The highlight of the afternoon hike was climbing Whitecap Mtn (3654 ft.). Whitecap is finally the last formidable peak that I will be climbing until I reach Katahdin. It is also suppose to give a clear view of Katahdin. The climb to the summit was long and sometimes steep, but not too hard. When I reached the sign identifying the summit it was about 3:30 and I could see some outstanding views to the south and east, but did not yet have a good view north to Katahdin. As I continued on the trail, it wound it's way around a large rock outcropping and then wham, in plain view I could see the magestic Mount Katahdin to the north. What a beautiful sight! The mountain was huge and had a golden kind of glow as the late afternoon sun shined down on it. I was thrilled to finally see this beauty, and took quite a few pictures, and had to stop numerous times to stare at this sight as I slowly descended Whitecap.The climb down followed a long rock staircase which had been built by the MATC (Maine Appalachian Trail Club). This rock stair case was something I'd expect to see in a suburban back yard. It was a beauty and made the descent so much easier. It must have taken a huge amount of time and manpower to build. It was only about 1.5 miles to Logan Brook Lean-to and I considered pushing on to the next lean-to just 3.5 miles further. I decided however to stay there for the night. It started to look like I would be the only one at the shelter again tonight, but "Pop Tart" arrived later and is tenting near the shelter.