Date: 2023-07-23
From: The Birches Lean-to

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2

Note: I completed the AT on July 23, and am just now, in October 2023, getting around to adding in my trail entries for the last 11 days of my journey.It was my last day on trail, but the 4000 ft climb up Katahdin and back down was what I was focused on. I had the entire day to do it and not feel rushed, so I didn't bother with an alarm. Yet, I woke up a little past 6 anyway, and started hiking around 7:30. It was sunny, and I felt hopeful that there would be good views.The AT coincides with the Hunt Trail up to the summit from Katahdin Stream Campground. About a mile in, I took a brief stop to enjoy Katahdin Stream Falls, flowing very well after yesterday evening's rain. Babs and Waterboy passed me - they had stayed overnight at a hotel.After another half mile or so, the rock climbing started. Lots of scrambles - some requiring more care than others. As I reached treeline, the sky was completely white, which made me concerned about the views again. But then, after several more minutes of climbing, the clouds started to clear on and off. I started going nuts with my phone with the outstanding views, and ran into several day hikers. I spent a couple hours climbing a couple miles. I'm sure several minutes were spent taking photos and short videos.Finally, I passed through what I guess is the Gateway, and reached a flatter area that is apparently called the Tableland (according to the guide), and took a half hour break with some other thru hikers. It was about 11 I think. The sky was now clear, and the it was nice to take in all the views while resting. I chatted with them, then Babs and Waterboy, who had climbed up to the Gateway more carefully.Around 11:30, I started again. It was no longer that difficult, but it was the views that slowed me down, I passed by Thoreau Spring in about a half mile. Then it became steeper again for the last mile though there was no scrambling.I approached the summit and saw a cluster of about 20 people - many of them day hikers. Around 12:30, I made it to the summit. I had thought I would get weepy, but I felt relieved. I guess all that knee deep mud had taken its toll.I chatted a little with Babs and Waterboy. They were descending via Knife's Edge, and had arranged for the hotel to pick them up at the Roaring Brook trailhead below. I had thought about doing it, but didn't have a ride arranged. I decided to descend via the Abol Trail, because others had said it was the easiest way to get back down. The trailhead there was a little closer to town than the trailhead at Katahdin Stream Campground.I left the summit around 1. The Abol Trail started at Thoreau Spring. The next couple miles, which I finished over the next couple hours, were steep, rocky, and scenic. I wasn't sure how much easier this route would be. The weather was getting much better. By 2 or 3, the sky was blue, it was warm, and you could see everything, with the clouds retreating in the distance.Little by little, the next four miles became easier. I passed a few day hikers over then next two hours as I continued to descend, and finally got to the Abol Trailhead around 5. I ate a snack, changed clothes, and dropped off my Birches permit at the ranger station. There wasn't anyone around, so I started walking on the post road towards Millinocket, which at that point was about 20 miles away.I tried to get a ride. About 20-30 minutes passed and at least a dozen cars passed before one stopped to offer a ride. A thru hiker from San Diego who had hired a shuttle driver asked him to stop for me. I was so grateful at that point, because I was worried that I would have to walk all the way there -- maybe 7 or 8 hours.Millinocket is a nice little main street town: barbershop, convenience store, outfitters, restaurants, caf©s, and an art gallery. I checked into the AT Hostel there, where I made a reservation a couple days ago. I saw Plunger's name signed on their finisher's wall. I threw my clothes in the laundry, got some loaners. It was now past 6pm on a Sunday, and the only restaurant open appeared to be Angelo's Pizza. I had a couple slices, plus two scoops of Gifford's ice cream a couple blocks away.I went back to the hostel, relaxed, and planned a trip to Bangor for the next day while I thought about what the next phase of my life would bring.