Date: 2014-09-30
From: Katahdin Stream Campground, Mile 2180.1

To: Mt. Katahdin, Mile 2185.3
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Finis!We got up at 6:00 and drove to the Katahdin Stream Campground, stopping by a gas station mart on the way to pick up some snacks. There were already several cars parked in the campground lot when we got there. I signed the four of us in and we started hiking! Let¢s go climb Katahdin! Starting at 7:50 amThe trail started out with a gentle climb and nice foot path. After a short while it added in some roots and increased the climb slightly. When we crossed Katahdin Stream and passed the last privy on the trail and the Katahdin Stream Falls, it started to get rocky and steeper, although not climb-with-your-hands steep. Nice Trail Leaving Katahdin Stream Campground My Women across the Stream! Four of Us Selfie in front of FallsIt was an overcast day, but a great day for climbing Katahdin. Initially, we could get a few views of the fall foliage covered woods below us with the clouds above us obscuring the mountain tops. Cute Couple!As we continued to climb, the clouds moved in and out around the mountain such that we never climbed through the clouds but suddenly found ourselves on top of them! The views now consisted of mountain tops above the clouds with occasional clearing in the valleys to see the beautiful fall colors below.A young man caught up with us and hiked with us for a while. Brad and his wife were on vacation, and she was waiting patiently in the car while he did a three to four hour hike to get a taste of Katahdin. He had to turn around before we got above tree line, but enjoyed some great views with us before turning back. I think he hopes to hike the whole trail someday. Sarah Climbing up the TrailAbout halfway to the top mileage wise, we got above tree line and the trail got very steep. Climb with your hands steep. How do they expect me to get up there steep. Thanks for putting in some metal rungs steep. We had fun figuring it out as Sarah and Jen usually led the way. Senator, Tumbles and Yeti Legs had passed us going up earlier in day, and passed us going back down during this part of our hike. Jen climbing up above the Clouds! About Level with The Owl (mountain) Lunch Break! Continuing to Climb! Climbing some More! Did I mention Climbing?!We finally reached ¢The Gateway¢ about a mile and a half from the top, when the trail levels out and crosses a level plateau for half a mile followed by a gradual climb on a rocky trail the rest of the way to the top. Crossing the plateau, we passed Caddy Shack and Hobo Nobo and her husband on their way back down. Hobo Nobo¢s husband had hiked the final day with her, just like Linda, Sarah and Jen were doing with me! :-) Panorama Almost There!As we got to the top just after 3:00, there were several other thru hikers still there, including Gary, Sparkle Feet and Grizzley. Before I got to the top, I gave Grizzley my camera to video us going ¢Well¢¦ that¢s 14 down!¢ as I touched the Katahdin sign. After taking a bunch of pictures of me and my family, all the thru hikers got together for a group shot. It was great to finally finish (although we still had to hike back down!), but it was made so much sweeter by having Linda and our daughters there with me. Wish our son and son-in-law could have been there, too. On Top with my Women! Yaaaaaayyyyyy! Yee Haw! Still in Love after 45 Years! On Top with other Thru Hikers! Jen on Top! Sarah on Top! Linda on Top! USAFA ¢69 Hat! Purdue Hat! Williamson 125 Year Logo!After taking pictures and just rejoicing with the other hikers, at 3:30 it was time to head back down. I knew we wouldn¢t get all the way back before dark, but I wanted to at least get below tree line and the tougher rock climbing while it was still light.We descended with the sun getting lower in the sky directly in front of us. It made for great reflections on the lakes below. At one point as I was scrambling down some steep rocks, I got a weird sensation that the sun had suddenly set below the horizon, but was still brightly visible. A cloud had come between us and the sun, obscuring the actual sun, but the sun¢s reflection off a lake below was shining brightly. Then the cloud thinned a bit, and we could see the dim disk of the sun above the horizon and it¢s bright reflection off the lake. Cool! Heading Back Down Sun in Sky and Reflected on Lake JenWe got down to the trees well before dark, but still had some night hiking to do before getting back to the car. We could catch some glimpses of the sunset through the trees ahead of us as we descended, but no clear views. We returned to the hostel exhausted but joyful, having had a great day together climbing Katahdin and finishing my thru hike!I'm a blessed man! :-)