Date: 2010-07-24
From: Poplar Ridge Shelter

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

Today is my birthday. Nice. I dreamt last night that Mom, Mark, and Ian made a special visit and hiked a special easy trail to visit me and brought me a present and a cake. And then Ian went around and gave everyone hugs and kisses. I miss that kid. Today is SAddleback Mtn. The weather isn't ideal - it rained all night. Though on the tin roof of the shelter - it helped us sleep sound.Saddleback isn't the easiest. Some tough climbs but I think that climbing is getting a little easier. Dare we say our trail legs are coming in??I'd like to say yes! TRAIL LEGS...and then we go downhill..and we are slow as molasses. Everything hurts going downhill...legs, knees, ankles, feet, hips, shins, elbows...Learned about the Alpine section of the mtns up here. There are a lot of rare plant species in Maine and NH above the treeline. 10-15 thousand years ago, glaciers covered New England. When they receded they took all the soil...so now an AVERAGE of 4" top soil is on the mountains and very little grows there. Somehow though, some of the tundra plants remained up there and are very, very fragile. There are tons of signs saying to remain on the trail and dont destroy the apline vegitation...which we get mad at because we think we are at the top of a mtn and its just another sign saying to remain on the trail...Met a guy named Bard at the top of the Horn - one of the peaks along the Saddleback Range (in b/t saddleback JR and saddleback mtn). He is a section hiker and informed us that the Beach Boys are in town @ Rangely Monday night. Maybe itll work out to where we can see them? Might have to throw in some Slackpacking?! I mean really - how often are you walking through small town USA and have a chance at something like this? What a great way to celebrate my bday.Thought the views from SAddleback would be aweful with all the clouds/fog/rain - but just as we were leaving the Horn - the clouds lifted and we could see down into the valley for a beautiful view - we could see Rangley - and the trail all the way to the peak on SAddleback. This is the longest stretch in Maine with an open trail...not stuck in the green tunnel of the woods.Mo & I made our 1st attempt at Pad Thai - Chicken flavor ramen noodles, peanut butter, and hot sauce. Not too shabby. Nick(moxie) and Faye(alfalfa) made me birthday hot chocolate. YUM!This is a UNIQUE shelter in that is has a two seater privy with a cribbage board b/t the seats. hrm...i can hardly stand to be in a privy long enough to do whatcha gotta do in a privy...much less stay long enough to play a card game...Met the caretaker & ridge runner of the Saddleback range - Dave. The caretakers spend 10 days on the trail working and 4 days off. I asked what the does on any given day...he ridge runs 45 miles (not everyday but that is his territory). He takes notes and does minimal trail maintenance. The notes are passed on to the volunteers who do the heavy trail maintenance. He says his main goal is to provide education to hikers about leave no trace, pack in/pack out, and dont kill the fragile alpine vegitation.Looking forward to only 2 miles tomorrow into Rangely.