Date: 2015-08-11
From: Stratton, ME

To: East Flagstaff Lake campsite, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 135, Stratton, ME to East Flagstaff Lake campsite, ME - 17.9 miles:Well, we wouldn't hit our original goal of ~23 miles today, mainly due to be lazy this morning, but we'd settle with ~18 and feel good about it. I was up at 6:30am and quietly snuck out of the room, trying not to wake Yoohoo, as I made my downstairs for breakfast. A limited selection offered a few cereal choices, fruit, milk, OJ, and coffee. I downed a couple bowls of frosted mini wheats along with 2 cups of coffee in hopes that it'd give me the kick I needed to take on the last significant climbs before reaching Mt. Katahdin. The group slowly got ready, had breakfast, and updated their phones with new music and audio books before we headed out to grab a hitch.After ~20 minutes of standing along the side of the road in the warmth of the morning sun, a kind lady pulled over and told us to hop in the bed of her small truck. We each climbed in, sitting knee-to-knee, and nearly froze as we were whisked back out to the trailhead. On the trail by 9:30am, we enjoyed a couple miles of relatively level hiking before the mountain took it up notch. Deciding not to bust it up the mountain this morning, I instead chose to hang in the rear of the group and go at their pace. After ~1,500ft of climbing we reached Horns Pond Shelter where we breaked while looking up at the summit of South Horn towering ~700ft overhead. Low clouds covered the peak, periodically giving way to a clear view, as we sat below wondering which we'd experience upon reaching the summit.Onward we pushed with Rabbit and Yoohoo ahead of me. Both would soon peel off, however, leaving me to lead the group. As usual I got my rhythm and quickly scaled the ~700ft to the summit, passing Sunscreen again in the process who commented that I was serious about being good on the climbs. I reached the summit to a clear view of Bigelow Mountain West Peak to the north with Avery Peak and Little Bigelow Mountain in the distance. To the south in the direction I'd just come from, the roof of Horns Pond Shelter could be seen amidst the surrounding forest. Rabbit, Huey, and Sunscreen would soon join me just before a thick fog rolled in. Yoohoo would show up moments after and miss out on the view. He'd hang around a few minutes after we continued down the peak, but to no avail.I've noticed that there's no rhyme of reason as to when Rabbit hits his stride, which he did leading up to Bigelow Mountain West Peak. I fell in behind him and we blazed ahead and were soon standing atop a now clear, fogless summit. Over a mile of exposed ridge line waited before us which would lead to a scenic afternoon. Huey, Yoohoo, and Sunburn would eventually join us and we'd sit on rocks along the summit taking in the grandeur of Maine. Sizeable, though tame, mountains rose in every direction, blanketed by green forest. A large lake to our west sparkled in the sunlight as we discussed the possibility of purchasing one of its many small islands. To the east rose a mountain with ski slopes running down its length, appearing out of place in the summer weather. Running to the north stood the next mountains, Avery Peak and the much smaller Little Bigelow Mountain, as well as small airport with a single runway. I watched for small planes, but it didn't appear to be a particularly busy afternoon.I led the crew down and back up Avery Peak, the highest point we will have stood until reaching Mt. Katahdin. The views were pretty much the same and, though enjoyable, we didn't linger long at the summit after the decent break atop the last mountain. I noted an isolated storm towards the southwest slowly making its way in our direction, hiding distant mountains behind a curtain of gray rain, but we kept on hoping it'd skirt just to the south. Skirt to the south is exactly what it did as we experienced only ~20 minutes of a light drizzle as we made our way towards Little Bigelow Mountain. The section between Avery Peak and Little Bigelow Mountain was actually pretty neat - rock walls rising on both sides with many rock overhangs. We all reached the summit of Little Bigelow Mountain within ~15 minutes of one another and would take our last break before pushing the last ~4.5 miles to our current campsite on the bank of East Flagstaff Lake. We sat atop Little Bigelow for just under half an hour, enjoying what we assume is our last above treeline views before Mt. Katahdin. Rabbit played us some music and it was a really chill time. A nice way to spend a few minutes with a great group of guys - atop a random mountain in Maine.As we made our way off Little Bigelow Mountain, the trail became progressively flatter, eventually becoming about as flat as you can hope to get over the last mile or so. We all reached our campsite dehydrated and tired. We set up our tents, found a water source, and then ate dinner together on a large slab of angled rock dropping from our campsite to the water some ~10ft below. To the east the brilliant orange and pinks of the storm that clipped us casted its colors along the surface of the lake. To the west a few rolling mountains stood silhouetted against the setting sun. The soft lapping of water against the bottom of the angled stone we sat on could be heard as we enjoyed the silent beauty. Though the lake is Maine's fifth largest, it has an isolated feel to it as if we were the only people enjoying nature's show this evening.It's just after 9:30pm and it's time to try and get some sleep. The others have already headed in that direction. The sound of Loons can be heard carrying across the nearby water. Rabbit played us the music we requested (a song from the Little Mermaid for Huey and "Hero" by Family of the Year for me.) I couldn't think of a better way to end another great day of hiking as we continue towards Katahdin. Tomorrow brings ~19 miles to Caratunk, ME. After a couple early climbs, the terrain looks to be favorable, but ~19 miles is still ~19 miles. Even when flat, the trail in Maine doesn't look like its been worked on since it was originally completed. I'm pretty confident that it's due to most Mainer's being too busy with hunting or fishing or, as I like to call it back in the Midwest, drinking beer.Here's to an afternoon of ridge running, no wipeouts, and a postcard-worthy sunset.*Thank you, Nancy, for the support. It's a pleasure hearing from another follower from the beginning. Your readership has been appreciated and more motivating than you know. Cheers.