Day 100: Flagstaff Campsite

Start: Bigelow Col Campsite (AT mi 2012.9). Stop: Flagstaff Campsite (AT mi 2022.8). Today’s miles: 9.9 miles. Total AT mileage: 998.1 miles

Today was, in a word: incredible. And it being my 100th day on trail makes it all the sweeter. The wind whipped all night, but it only lightly sprinkled until about 10pm. With all the wind, the outside of the tent was dry by the time I woke up.. which wasn’t until a little after 7:30am. It still felt cool outside of my sleeping quilt, so I stayed put until I was sure the sun was up and going to be beaming on me. My clothes were still soaked, and the thing about having one pair of shorts and one sports bra: if they’re wet, you’re wet, too.

I got out to pee, then got back in to eat breakfast in my cocoon. Then slowly packed everything I could before having to take off my camp clothes and get into the wet ones. I’ve decided I don’t like my short sleeved shirt. It bunches under my arms and annoys me throughout the day. So, I did wear my long sleeves, but everything else was the wet stuff from yesterday.. including my socks. I have a few more days before town, so no point in making both pair of socks wet.. yet.

I finally left camp at 8:35, and moved slowly up to the peak of Bigelow Avery Peak. It felt like an incredibly short climb, and I had to remind myself that it was only this easy and short because I slept in between the two peaks. When I got to the top, it was stunning views all around. Ski mountains one way. The mountains I had crossed another way, and lakes upon lakes the other way. 360 degrees of gorgeous no matter which way I turned my head. It was so pretty, in fact, when I realized I had service I sat on a rock wall and worked on uploading yesterday’s blog.

When I posted it and soaked up a bit more views, I forced myself to get my pack on and continue walking. I now had a decent descent to maneuver, and then climb up and over Little Bigelow Mountain.. which in comparison looked small but wide on the elevation map. I had started this day 3 miles ahead of my initial plan anyway, so I really had no actual goal in mind for where to stop. I could go 8 miles total and get a bunk at a hostel in town, I could go almost 10 to a lake, 15 to a shelter.. today’s options were endless. I decided I’d just see how I felt when I got somewhere. But one thing was certain, I had to get off this mountain.

I started the downhill and it had moments of slick, hold onto the trees to not slide down a rock face, brace for dear life.. but they were short sections surrounded by beautiful, thick wooded forest with huge moss covered rock boulders. It was serene.. and for a Friday, I really didn’t pass or get passed by many people. At some point mid morning I started listening to an audiobook. I’m enjoying it.

On the uphill of Little Bigelow, I decided the second I found a semi decent rock or stump or fallen tree log, I’d stop for lunch. I was maybe 0.1 from the summit when it came, and I didn’t even care to wait to see the summit sign first. I stopped and ate my peanut butter tortilla.. it gave me a little heartburn, but not as bad as in the beginning.. so maybe the weight loss is helping me in that department.

After lunch I continued on, at a “can’t be bothered” pace, listening to my book. I snapped pictures when the views came, I meandered, I enjoyed. At some point at a shelter, the one everyone stopped at yesterday except me, I got water from a fresh spring that was super cold and even more refreshing. It’s a little annoying to only have one bottle.. I chug and then have to filter again instead of having one filtering while I’m catching up on my water intake. Even so, I took my shoes off and sat a while, aired out my toes from my wet and very disgusting socks.

Once I crossed the road that the hostel picks up at, I saw that I didn’t have service. That makes that choice an easy one.. plus I really don’t need another town stay at this point. All I’d want to do is get another water bottle and wash my socks.. haha. I just kept walking. I came across the “pond” that looks as big as a lake. The water is crystal clear and so gorgeous. There was a sandy beach, but I continued on the trail, excitement brewing.. I decided after seeing that water that I’d go to the campsite listed on my app, find a tent spot, and go for a swim!

Which is exactly what ended up happening. I walked around the pond on trail for maybe half a mile before I came across some tent sites. Dirt pads down in the woods. I continued, just in case something else was better up ahead-but then ran into a couple tenting.. so I turned back, wanting to make sure I got my spot early, especially on a Friday afternoon. It was 4:30 when I found my spot. It was down a hill a bit more than the original I saw, slightly out of view from the passerby’s on trail, more flat, and closer to the water. After I set up the tent, I walked down to the water with my camp clothes, food, and water bottle in hand.

I had an entire beach to myself! It was absolutely beautiful! I laid out my shorts and long sleeve hiking shirt to air dry, then promptly got in the water. I was nervous about leeches, but this water is super clear so I decided it was a small risk. I had my lighter in my food bag if it came down to that. Another hiker told me that you hold a flame to the leech it releases itself. I swam, floated, and washed my body. It felt so freeing! Then, I sat out on a big rock on shore to dry.

When I started getting hot, I took off my undies and bra (to lay them out to air dry) and got into my camp clothes. I continued listening to my audiobook, gazing off along the waters, watching birds fly and ducks squawk. I cooked and ate my dinner sitting on a piece of what appears to be driftwood. Once done, I went back to camp to throw my bear line, seeing how I’m the only one nearby and there’s water so close.. and unpacked the rest of my gear so when I come back for bed, it’s all set and ready to go.

I brought my headlamp with me and decided that I’d sit on the beach and watch the sunset. It’s already darker back at the tent than it is down here, but I don’t want to leave this serenity just yet. Even if I am tired. So, I’ll sit here a while longer, listen to my audiobook, then gather up my clothes and go to bed. Today has been just one of the best of days. The terrain looks pretty smooth sailing from here, too. A couple minor blips on the elevation profile, but nothing major.

I hope y’all have a Goodnight, and the sweetest of dreams.