Date: 2014-09-28
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, Mile 2147.1

To: Abol Bridge, Mile 2170.2
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: clear sky

I wanted to finish the 100 mile wilderness today, which ends at Abol Bridge. And if the trail cooperated, I might even get the additional 10 miles to Katahdin Stream Campground for a 33 mile day. Then I would either have just 10 miles to do tomorrow and get to Millinocket early while Linda and Sarah drive up, or if I went 33 miles, be able to take a zero day in Millinocket. So I got up early and starting hiking at 6:00 for some night hiking. Although the trail didn't cooperate on getting more miles, it did provide me with beautiful views and encounters with four moose. It was slow going most of the day, with rocks and roots and mud puddles, so early on I knew it would be a good day just to get to Abol Bridge.Early on, as I was climbing up Nesuntabunt Mountain, I heard a crashing sound on the trail ahead. A cow moose came across the trail just ahead of me and ran into the woods on my left. I was taking pictures of her when I heard another moose coming down the hill ahead and to the left. It was a bull moose coming to join his girlfriend! They then continued off further into the woods together.When I started down the other side of the mountain I got another view of Katahdin. It's getting closer! Getting Closer to Katahdin! (from Nesuntabunt Mountain)After going down the backside of the mountain, I was hiking along the trail as it followed the shoreline of Crescent Pond. Suddenly, a big crashing sound as a cow moose came out of the lake about 15 feet to my left and ran across the trail in front of me and into the woods to my right. Then a calf moose ran across the trail a little further up to join up with Mama. They then wandered up the hill. Very cool! Most of my pictures were too blurry, but here's one of Mama. Mama Moose!In late afternoon I made the short climb up Rainbow Ledges before my final descent into Abol Bridge. Just as I started down the backside, I got another view of Katahdin! Closer Still! Katahdin from Rainbow Ledges.I finally got to Abol Bridge and had a great view of Katahdin from the middle of the bridge! The middle section looks a little higher than the level looking sections to its right and left, but it's not - it's just closer to us. The trail comes up from the left and goes along the plateau of the left section, where it's fairly level. It continues to a point further back on the middle section and then goes uphill to the left end of the right section, which is further back and higher. The actual peak is about a third of the way along the right section, higher than the peak to the right which is along the "knife edge" trail going back down the right side. You can see this in more distant views from higher elevations, like in the picture above. Katahdin from Abol Bridge!I checked in at the camp store and got my tent site. I pitched my tent as it was getting dark and then got a shower. I headed back to the camp store before it closed and got a hamburger and fries in the little restaurant attached. I used their satellite phone to call Linda ($1.00/min) and then headed back to my tent for the night. Only 9.9 miles tomorrow, then to Millinocket to see Linda and Sarah. Tuesday we will climb Katahdin together! :-)