Date: 2017-09-27
From: ME 15/Monson/Shaw's Hostel

To: Stealth Campsite near Vaughn Stream
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

9/27ME 15/Monson/Shaw's Hostel to Stealth Campsite near Vaughn Stream13.7 milesTotal miles: 2089.0Poet asked me how I slept as I entered the hostel's kitchen this morning, and I was able to reply with one of my favorite corny jokes. "I slept like a baby," I replied. "Cried all night and woke up wet." One of the joys of the trail for me is to be continually surrounded by people who haven't already heard all of my jokes. I actually slept quite well and was packed and ready to go when I came down the steep stairs of the hostel for breakfast. Poet joked the first time I went upstairs that it was like summitting Mount Shaw. Breakfast was huge and included three eggs cooked to order (sunny side up for me), bacon, and fried potatoes. Mounds of blueberry pancakes rounded things out. Poet came in with a pancake cairn, which instantly became my favorite cairn of the AT. Bartender and Minutes helped prepare breakfast, and we shared a fond farewell when I left this morning. I promised to share my summit photo when I get to Katahdin. It was nearly 9:00 when we arrived back at the trailhead, which was nearly two and a half hours later than I have been starting out. Poet took a photo of the group of us and shared some thoughts and insights with us as we prepared to enter the Wilderness. Poet is aptly named. The goal today was 14.2 miles to the north side of Long Pond Stream, but I realized what a challenge that would be, considering our late start. The first thing I encountered as I entered the Wilderness was a sign that warned of the lack of supply options and the rigors of the trail ahead. The morning hike wasn't too difficult, and I made good time. The weather was cooler and cloudy, so my views of Bell and Lily Ponds were foggy and hazy. There is an island in Lily Pond, which loomed out from the haze. Mud Pond is well named and looked like it might be home for beavers. I arrived at Little Wilson Falls around noon and hiked the brief side trail to watch the water cascade down to the valley below. I then hiked down to that valley and crossed Little Wilson Stream. There is a campsite where the trail crosses the stream that is complete with an armed couch and love seat, all cleverly constructed from slate. There is even a sidetable by the couch that was complete with a TV remote, a small piece of slate with numbers scratched into its surface. Tengo and I reclined on the couch as we ate our lunch. After lunch, we filtered water and headed out. Gravity had joined us by then, and we discussed options if we didn't make it to our intended destination before dark. We decided to give it our best shot, with the understanding that we all have headlamps and could hike after dark. The trail from Little Wilson was quite steep as I hiked up a ravine. I crossed railroad tracks on the way up, the first time I have done that in many weeks. I then hiked down the other side of the ravine and walked along Big Wilson Stream for awhile before the trail turned to cross it. This proved to be my first actual river fording. I removed my socks and took the inserts from my shoes before putting them back on. I pinned up my pants legs as well. The ford of the stream actually felt quite good on my feet. The riverbed was rocky and very slick, so I spread out my poles and took my time. The water reached a bit above my knees. I was soon across. Whitters, a hiker I met just this morning, crossed right after me, and I got a photo. River crossings take time, and it was becoming increasingly apparent that I would be hiking after dark. The trail crossed a talus field of hundreds of boulders as it approached Long Pond Steam, which slowed progress even more. I got out my headlamp around 6:30. It's been awhile since I've hiked after dark, and I had forgotten that it can actually be quite enjoyable. Reaching our intended campsite would involve crossing Long Pond Stream, another larger stream that might require actual fording. The search for a suitable stealth campsite ultimately revealed a snug little area just north of Vaughn Stream, a mere half mile from Long Pond Stream. I set up camp, got water from the stream, and cooked dinner. Throwing a bear rope can be a challenge after dark, but I had no trouble finding a suitable branch and was successful on my first throw. I was ready for bed by nine o'clock, which is quite late by today's standard. I'm lying in my tent listening to the music of the stream. I just read in Guthooks that there is a twenty foot waterfall just beyond where the trail crosses, and I plan on checking that out in the morning. There promises to be mountains and some challenging trail conditions tomorrow, so I am heading back to sleep to be ready for my second day in the Wilderness.