Date: 2018-08-09
From: Kennebec River

To: Carrabassett Valley
Miles today: 37.0

Kennebec River to Carrabassett ValleyDistance: 37 milesDates: August 6 to August 9 After a restful day off it was time to continue. Today would begin with the Kennebec River. It was a much larger than expected river more in size with the Mississippi River that flowed through Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The river is clear and clean able to see right to the bottom. You must use a boat to cross where a paid professional wilderness guide took you across in a canoe. He described the history of the river right back to the American Revolution pointing out where the plaque was indicating the location Benedict Arnold portaged up river to Quebec during the Revolutionary War, and the history of the native Indians trade routes with European Fur trappers. After a short ride off I was hiking to my destination for the day of Pierce Pond. A easy hike following a mountain river with waterfalls all along the way. As I neared Pierce Pond I somehow got off trail turning on a man-made small wood pole bridge that crossed the river. As I crossed I started to remember the map not indicating I was to cross the river so I stopped and started referencing my GPS. Suddenly a small dog was standing at my feet and wagging his tail so I leaned down to give him a rub. As I stood back up a man was crossing the same foot bridge and was startled to see me there. I told him I as lost and he indicated I could go back over the bridge and I would reach Pierce Pond in 30 minutes or simply follow the blue blaze trail I was now standing by and get there in five. I opted for the 5 minute route. He said he owned the lodge / fishing camp just 50 more feet down the bridge and offered me a glass of lemonade to which I also opted for the lemonade and followed him and ¢Charlie¢ his dog. There laid a huge old log cabin style lodge with about eight individual cabins along the riverfront. We sat for about an hour talking. He has owned this place for 33 years now and primarily there for fishing, showing me the lodge wall with huge brook trout mounted on it that were caught in that very river. He was Tim Harrison and this was the Harrison Fishing Camp and Cabins. I moved outside along the river sitting on a huge porch where a half dozen hummingbird feeders hung. Sitting quietly dozens of hummingbirds appeared competing for the nectar. Charlie his dog sat at my feet as I rubbed his belly. After exploring his cabins and great room in the lodge where I took a picture with the bear rug, I departed for the Pierce Pond Shelter. Just like Antlers Campsite, the shelter sat right on the shore of yet another huge beautiful wilderness lake, loons, bullfrogs and all. As the afternoon progresses, more hikers arrived filling up the shelter area. Many of us decided to swim in the lake and get cleaned up. We sat on the rocks watching the sun set over the mountains beyond the lake. Yet another perfect night in another perfect camping spot. On the wall of the shelter was a sign that Tim¢s place serve up a monster breakfast including American Red White and Blue pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk, juice and coffee for $13. Six of us decided that sounded great and walked back to Tim¢s place to let him know we were coming. That next morning we were treated to a breakfast he bragged about including 12 pancakes with fresh picked blueberries, raspberries and apples topped with powdered sugar (¢¦.Red, White and Blue). Few of us could finish and the remains he put in sandwich bags for us to take. What a meal and what a place. Thanks Tim.This day was not seen to be much climbing so I decided to try a 16 miler to get to East Flagstaff lake camp area. The book described tow campsites along the lake shore on sandy beach complete with two fire rings and tent pads for 9. Somehow I missed those campgrounds ending up on the southern tip and a road lined with small cabins. It was now 6p, and it had been raining on me for the last hour. I was wet, frustrated, exhausted and hungry. One cabin front door was open and a truck in front. I decided to ask questions to I knocked but no one answered. I stood there in the rain trying to contemplate plan B, where to set up the tent and sleep for the night. I was in no mood to do so soaking wet and standing in rain when a couple approached. They indicated they were not sure where these campsites were but by looking at my map felt I somehow passed it several miles back. The offered the next shelter was about 4 miles up. Neither option was in my plan as I just wanted to get that pack off and sit down. They told me then finally drove me about 12 mile to where the trail crossed another small campsite (more like a gravel parking lot) but that would do for the night. By the time I set up the rain stopped and I cooked dinner, crawled into bed and called it a night. I awoke to everything wet and I was frustrated. I remember another hiker in the 100 mile Wilderness called the Hostel of Maine somewhere around here. I was too tired, too frustrated and too worn down to begin yet another day of brutal climbs and descends and opted to find this hostel which I did, and from where I am now completing my journal. It is located at the very base of Sugarloaf Mountain Ski resort, a resort I have known about all my life from skiing myself. Now I get to sleep at it.  I will head out tomorrow headed for Rangeley Maine over the next four days and hopefully find a computer to keep you posted.P.S. Happy Birthday to my sister Elaine !