Date: 2022-08-12
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite Mile 1998.8

To: Maine Roadhouse Hostel (ME 27) Mile 2006.1
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

The rain overnight was light and relatively brief and basically just enough to get everything wet but not help the water situation. Yesterday we did notice that only one of the water sources we crossed was dry which was a nice change. The one at camp was flowing well and ice cold although the second spring was dry. I meant to get up early and go back to the cirque but totally forgot to set the alarm early and Orchid and I just packed up as usual.Leaving camp we immediately started the climb up to South Crocker Mt. We got some views of the Bigelow¢s which are the next mountains we climb on the way up. However the top of South Crocker and then North Crocker were fogged in. The climb to both wasn¢t too bad although we did have one boulder field to cross. We then started the long 5.2 mile descent to the road crossing and town.I recently had a birthday on trail¢¦ and nobody packed an ice cream cake out for me, or any cake for that matter. I must be old now as I fell twice on the descent. The first was a silly slow motion fall where I stopped next to a rock but leaned back and the momentum of the back combined with not being able to step back led me to basically sit down into the scrub pines. However I couldn¢t get up with out removing my pack or getting pulled up by Orchid. The second I slipped down a massive tilted big rock. Fortunately landed on the pack but got my hand down and my shoulder is pretty sore (actually still sore close to bedtime). It¢s things like this that cause you to spend 90% of the time staring down at the trail. Made it to the road crossing with Timex and Paws and a couple of other hikers. Called for a pickup from the Maine Roadhouse Hostel and got picked up about 15 minutes later. Got a shower and gear hung out to dry and headed back to town. Stratton is pretty small with a market, post office, General Store and a couple of Inns. Got lunch at the Backstrap Bar and Grill which was good but somewhat pricey and then picked up some groceries for the afternoon and to make dinner. Otherwise spent the rest of the day stuffing food in my belly and catching up on the growing backlog. The hostel is one of the nicer ones we¢ve been in run by two Jen¢s. The bunk platforms are larger than the mattress so there¢s places to put your stuff and each one has a light, fan, multiple outlets and a privacy curtain. There¢s two common rooms along with a kitchen and some nice outdoor seating. They also have a well stocked resupply. All in all highly recommended.I meant to provide a food update yesterday but forgot. Here¢s basically what I had during the day:Breakfast: 3 packets protein oatmeal with Hemp seeds, Carnation Instant Breakfast packet and dried blueberries added. Half a Lenny & Larry Complete cookieSnack AM: Luna Bar, Granola Bar, Snickers BarLunch: PB&J on bagel with honey, other half complete cookie, several pieces of cheese, and handful of combos. Snack PM: Rice Krispy treat, handful of fruit snacks, twizzler bits and beef jerky and fig newton bar. Dinner: Box of couscous with Hemp seeds and olive oil added, 2 packets of tuna and a raspberry cheese danishSteps 15200Weather Forecast: