Date: 2013-07-30
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To, mi 2,107.3

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-To
Miles today: 30.3
Weather: broken clouds

I was on the trail early as usual, having camped down the hill and on the south side of the stream from Carl A. Newhall Lean-to, where a large group of girls camped. In the early morning, the group was sitting on the trailside at the junction of the blue-blaze trail to the lean-to. By 7am, I was hiking up the steep, rocky flanks of Gulf Hagas Mountain. I hiked downhill from the Sidney Tappan Campsite to the spring, to fill up water. The AT, though steep, was well constructed, with rock steps. The climb up Hay Mountain went quickly, without the need for scrambling up scree field. There were three summits to pass over before reaching the loftiest summit, White Cap. The trail was well manicured until reaching the flank of White Cap, which required some scrambling up blocky terrain. When I reached the summit of White Cap, it was about 9:00am. The skies overhead where partly cloudy, with a gentle, cool breeze blowing over the summit. I hiked a short spur from the summit sign thru a dense thicket of low conifers to the north side to get a glimpse of Katahdin for the first time in 2,113 miles, but the summit was 2/3 shrouded by dense clouds. Only the base could be seen. I stood for a few moments, hoping the clouds would blow over, and un-vail the might summit that I had dreamed of reaching. The clouds stuck with great tenacity. I imagined the scale of the peak, projecting the base with my mind, straight into the clouds. I turned back to the summit sign and sat on the pile of rocks to enjoy some nourishment and the surrounding panorama of lakes and ridges in the distance. By 9:30, I was heading down the talus of the north-facing slopes. The hiking went slowly until I made it about a mile down the slope. Beyond the Logan Brook Lean-to, the trail was relatively smooth, with an easy slope. I hiked a fast, steady pace until reaching the junction to Little Boardman Mountain, where the AT was re-routed around private lands. The new trail had only been roughed out through the forest, climbing up blocky terrain to a small clearing near the top. I stood on a large boulder, enjoying a few wild blueberries that I had picked in the clearing. I gazed out over the distant ridges, enjoying the sun. Upon intersecting the side trail to the beach on Crawford Pond, I hesitated for a moment, then thought, this is what I needed. I lay supine on the coarse, warm sands, gazing over the vast deep blue waters to the distant shoreline. It was a picture perfect lake. My feet enjoyed some daylight and fresh air. I washed my socks and allowed them to dry a bit on the warm sand. The terrain north of this pond is deceptive when examining AWOL's AT guide. It is virtually flat, with even a gradual descent. The terrain was another story, dense with interwoven large tree roots and rocks. By late afternoon, I was hiking north of Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To, where numerous hikers were camped out for the night. I hiked till dusk, reaching Potaywadjo Spring Lean-To. One Canadian with a heavy accent, was sleeping in the Lean-to. The mosquitos were swarming the site. I set up my tent on a generous sized pad about 50 yards from the shelter, filled up water bottles and cooked dinner before dark. I fell asleep quickly in the comfort of my tent.