Category: Long Distance Trails

Start: ME RT 17 (AT mi 1959.6). Stop: Piazza Rock Lean-To (AT mi 1974.5) Today’s miles: 14.9 miles. Total AT mileage: 949.8 miles

I set my watch alarm for 6:30, then turned it off when I felt it’s vibrations. I knew I needed to get up, pack, get ready for the day.. but I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t let myself go all the way back to sleep, since my watch doesn’t have snooze as an option.. I finally rolled out of bed at 6:43. Man these early mornings may be something I never really get used to. Although, my mom and Lauren would be happy to know that I’m not nearly as bratty when I wake up these days.. lol

I stripped my bed and grabbed my hiking clothes.. and then stood outside the bathroom waiting my turn. After peeing in the woods the second you know you have to pee, waiting in a line feels like a lifetime of bladder control. The dude in there must have been pooping because he was sure taking forever.. I considered just going out to the front yard for a second-but I decided I’d be more civilized since there were people around.
I finally got in and got to handle my business. Drop my bed sheets in the hamper, change my clothes, pee.. and then head upstairs for breakfast. It was the same breakfast as the previous few days (so I assume I missed nothing “special” yesterday during my sleep-in), and ya know what? It was just as good as it was the other days I ate it. I’d eat it again tomorrow, too, if that were an option.

After I ate my fill, I went over to Mrs. Honey to pay her my tab I’d been racking up the last 4 days. For 4 nights of sleeping, 4 dinners, 3 breakfasts, 2 days of shuttles for slack packing (including the additional mileage to get to Rangeley to pick up David’s tent), AND for the shuttle out this morning to start hiking northbound again, my total was $189. Some might think that’s a lot.. but I’ve literally stayed in hotels more expensive than that for one night.. I felt this price was more than fair, especially for the kindness of Honey, her son, Don, and then Hopper and Jo-jo, plus her husband Frank. I quite literally adore them all, and their doggies, too. I gave Mrs. Honey $200 and then refused to let her get out of her recliner to get me change.

She’s 89 years old and still as sharp as a tack, still drives shuttles and cooks meals, serves her hikers and is in constant great spirits with lovely stories of her adventures on the AT and other hiking trails. I can only hope I’m as physically and mentally healthy at that age as she is. She’s a true inspiration.. and I feel like when you have a heart like hers, you attract like minded people. Jo-Jo and Frank only came to visit her and ended up staying close to 2 weeks to let some other hostel workers have time to go hike themselves.. and Hopper. Hopper is a hell of a woman that I just admire completely. Her stories aren’t mine to tell, but I’m grateful for the time in the shuttle with her and to have learned so much from and about her.

Anyway. After settling up, I quickly got to packing my stuff. I have to figure out the best way to pack David’s tent, because while it’s lighter than mine, it’s bulkier because of the fabric. I think I just need a few days with it find out how it totes best. Today, it’s awkwardly strapped on top like my 4 pounder used to be, but it’s way smaller than that bulky thing, so it just barely pokes out the sides under the brain of my pack.

Once packed and ready, Mrs. Honey herself drove me, Flash, and Runway to “Height of the Land” which is what they call Route 17. This is my 3rd time at this road crossing and the views still aren’t old. It’s absolutely stunning! There’s a lake down in the valley that we see from up on the hilltop covered in wildflowers. It mesmerizes me every time I see it. Once we got there, Flash headed south to slackpack the section I slacked my first day with them, I headed north into the unknown, and Runway and Mrs. Honey drove on to Rangeley. Runway is taking today as her last zero before getting back on trail after her shoulder injury in Mahoosuc Notch. She’s meeting her friends Tinman and Sling in Rangeley and they’ll all hike out together tomorrow.. I hope I run into them again.

So. Today on the trail was GLORIOUS! I started listening to a new audiobook all of 5 minutes into hiking when I realized the trail was what they call “Maine easy.” This just means that it doesn’t require scrambling or climbing.. aka: pristine, good ole walking trail. It went up down and all around, but it was kind and gentle and it didn’t require thinking about each and every step. The new audiobook: The Book of Lost Friends. I’m here to tell you, I recommend 10/10 and I’m not even half way done yet!

I hiked and listened to my book, looked at views, and delighted in the ease of the day. The climbs barely caused my heart rate to raise any. It felt so easy that I caught myself worrying that something ahead was definitely coming to put a halt to my progress. There were lake/pond views. There was a perfectly placed camp area for me to eat my lunch at. Before I knew it I had hiked 9 miles. I hadn’t even noticed that I wasn’t even checking my pace or progress in the app on my phone. I was just walking and taking in the beauty and listening to the story unfolding before me.

Today was also the return of seeing snakes. I’ve seen two today and prior to their sightings-I haven’t seen any since getting to the White Mountains. I think it must have been the rain and the cold. I still screamed like a 4 year old when I saw them both, and was then thankful no one was around to witness my fear. Why are those little boogers so creepy??

I decided that I wouldn’t go into the town when I passed the road that would take me to Rangeley. I had too much food in my pack already, and tomorrow will most definitely not be as easy as today was. Tomorrow has mountains with names involved, so I’ll be huffing and puffing, surely. I did hike on to the next shelter and once there I scouted the area and took my time setting up David’s tent. He sent me poles to make it free standing, but the way I set it up was easy without the hassle of the poles, so I may send those home at the next town, simply so I don’t lose or damage his things.. lol

I filtered my water and ate my dinner. I’m surrounded by other Thru hikers, all NOBOs I don’t know and one Flip Flopper, SillyBands, that I crossed paths with when I slackpacked the other day. There’s a chance of rain tonight, and while I pray it doesn’t come, I guess there’s no other way to test out the waterproofness of my current situation.. at least that way I know I can place the order to have a tent like this of my own.. you know, in like 9-12 weeks.. aka the time it takes for them to send you one. Haha

Also of note, I’ve decided I’m going to just take my time and enjoy my hike until my mom comes, without stressing about actually getting to Katahdin before she arrives. I’ll make my way to Monson, Maine, the town you hit before going into the 100 mile wilderness. I decided the idea of pushing hard to get through the 100 mile wilderness is silly, especially since I’ll still have to miss my flight with my mom to DC in order to summit Katahdin anyway, so why push it and have the potential of being still in the 100 mile wilderness when she comes. That would just make getting out difficult and coming back even more difficult. Monson is easy to get to and from, especially from Bangor, where she’ll be flying into.

I have learned that planning trips while on trail is so stressful to manage. People have to have dates and so much of what we hikers do is up in the air all the time.. the weather, the terrain, the absolutely everything: sore muscles, mental breaks, illness.. everything can literally change in a moment, and trying to plan for and around all of that makes my head hurt. Plus, I hate the idea of “failing” and already I have a sense of failure from Andrea’s trip-I wanted so desperately for her to love the trail as I do, but the weather made sure we were both absolutely miserable when she was hiking with me. And now, with mom, I feel the same way, because I failed to be done when I told her I should be, and now our plan to fly to DC (for her layover and for me to take the train to Harper’s Ferry) together, having that much more time together, is ruined. I really do have a perfectionist’s personality, and while neither Andrea or my mom would consider me a failure (at least I don’t think they would), it bothers the hell out of me regardless.

Anyway. Apparently I have a lot on my mind and a lot to let out on y’all! Sorry about that. When the trail is calm, the thoughts just spew out! Lol With all of that said, I’m waiting until the sun goes down so I can pee nearish my tent site and not have to walk all the way to the privy. I’ve already layered up the hydrocortisone cream on all my rashy spots.. some, mostly on my hips, reopened and got angry towards the end of the day. I think letting them air out tonight will help.. the one day off did do a lot of good, I pray I don’t make it worse by continuing to hike.. but now with deciding to wait for mom in Monson, I can have another zero between now and then 😉 AND when she comes I’ll have the 18-23 off, too! Lol surely I’ll be healed up right by then!

Let’s hope with all these wild thoughts going through my head in loops that I can get some good sleep soon. The tent is definitely comfortable. Goodnight, y’all. Sweet dreams!

Start: Piazza Rock Lean-To (AT mi 1974.5) Stop: Poplar Ridge Lean-To (AT mi 1983.4) Today’s miles: 8.9 miles. Total AT mileage: 958.7 miles

Once I set my mind to being ok with taking my time, I knew I was only going to hike close to 9 miles today. I could have pushed it farther, but I didn’t see the point. I got up when I wanted to, sometime after 7, took my time packing and eating breakfast. It poured down rain overnight-me and all my belongings stayed bone dry! I’m loving David’s tent! I think I’ll be placing my order soon.

The trail’s terrain was no longer “Maine Easy” today. It turned back to the rough and rocky scrambles.. just toned down a slight notch. It started off with a rough and steep climb up Saddleback Mountain. It wasn’t awful, by any means.. it was just long.. and viewless thanks to the cloud coverage from the recent rain. Luckily, it wasn’t still raining.

After Saddleback Mountain, I went down and then right back up to The Horn. On the back side of the horn, I ate my lunch on a rock in the misty clouds. And ate my fair share of blueberries. They were slap everywhere! And delicious. They made my tuna tortilla almost bearable. I really have to figure out a better lunch plan. I hate those little packets of tuna, chicken, and salmon. But peanut butter gives me heartburn. Such is life.

While I was eating, I swear 15 people had to come from one direction or another. I had barely seen anyone all day, and now poof, they all appear. I took my time and uploaded yesterday’s post. I had spent the morning and through the afternoon listening to that audiobook.. so I was still listening during my lunch, pausing it only to speak to people passing.

The downhill of the horn was steep and painful on my knees. It was sometime during that downhill that BlessedBillygoat appeared. He had been hiking southbound, but said he decided this morning to turn and hike back north again. He’s got more energy than I do for all that. We made it down the horn to a campsite to get water, and to my surprise, Runway, Tinman, and Sling were there doing the same! Along with Firewalker, a NOBO I’ve crossed paths with multiple times over the last few weeks.

We were all headed to the same campsite. They headed out and I took my sweet time getting and filtering my water. I finished the book and wanted some quiet to process it all. We had another up and downhill, over Saddleback Junior, and I took it super slow. In my way of thinking, it was only 2pm, so there was no point in getting 3 miles done quick and just sitting around cold in the clouds. It’s chilly today.. even still, I saw another snake.. looks like they’re starting to make their daily appearances!

That little mountain was small but mighty-steep that is. Up and down. And rough. My knees were screaming by the time I got down. Then it was a calm walk into camp. I was there by 4:15. I got a good spot by the shelter to set up my tent. Thank goodness, because while it started with only 2 in it, there’s now 6. And they are loud. Thank goodness for earplugs.

I ate dinner with the group I got water with earlier. Runway was telling me about Maine Roadway, a hostel in the next town we pass. I went ahead and called to reserve a private room. They apparently fill up easy, so I wanted to make sure I had somewhere to go.. and they pick up from the road at the trail 🙂 I’m loving these hostel pick ups, taking all the stress and worry out of trying to hitch to town.

I hung around and chatted a bit with everyone until close to 7 when I decided I was too cold to sit out there anymore. I retired to my tent to write and snuggle up with my quilt and my liner. I’ll try to make myself stay up a little longer, so I sleep better.. but it’s getting tough to keep my eyes open. Once my phone is all the way charged I might just roll over and close my eyes.

Goodnight, y’all. Tomorrow will be another day of ups and downs, too. Maybe they won’t be so scramble-y.

Start:Poplar Ridge Lean-To (AT mi 1983.4) Stop: Stealth Site (AT mi 1996.5). Today’s miles: 13.1 miles. Total AT mileage: 971.8 miles

Well, my waking up nicer business ended this morning. The 4 section hikers that showed up yesterday woke up loud as hell this morning. Sling, Tinman, Runway, and BlessedBillygoat all got up quietly and snuck out of camp by 6.. the other 4 decided that everyone else must be up, too, because they were loud as shit yelling to each other and talking. I literally had to do some deep breathing to not scream out a good “STFU!”

I waited until I heard them leave before getting up and packing. I was so annoyed that my good sleep was interrupted that it took me some time to get over it. I was pretty much grumpy the entire time I was in camp. I ate my breakfast and then was hiking by 7:30.. the time I had originally decided I’d get up.

I took that as a sign that I’d probably need more time to hike today. It’s the longest of the 3 days before the hostel.. so, I guess I shouldn’t be so irritated with those early LOUD risers. I just find it so rude. Anyway, officially letting it go now, as I write this LOL.

The trail was both a mixture of beautiful forest with calm trail and full on “what the hell?” The first part of the day had a slow, long climb that wasn’t too bad, truthfully. It got my blood pumping and the sweat pouring, but ups are much easier these days compared to downs. I only have to focus on my breathing going up.. coming down requires focus on each step, knees, ankles, feet, pack..

I ate my lunch at the top of Lone Mountain. It was uneventful but sunny. So I dried my bandana in the sun and ate some snacks. I couldn’t force myself to eat the tuna. I just couldn’t. While I sat, a SOBO hiker came through and sat and chatted with me while he waited on his partner to make it there. I enjoyed the company, chatting about what’s to come for each of us and all that. Then Steak appeared. I assumed he was ahead yesterday when Luau and Proton passed. He and Scout had stayed at a stealth site back a ways. After chatting with him a bit the two of us carried on.. him light years ahead of me within about 2 minutes.

The terrain from the top of Lone Mountain didn’t turn down, instead it meandered through the woods for the prettiest part of today, with views popping up here and there down short side paths. It was 2 miles of heaven. It also looked like the type of terrain you’d spot a moose in, and there was quite a bit of poop, but no luck. I passed Steak when he found a sunny spot to hang out his tent to dry. He had the Zpacks Triplex (same as David’s except bigger for 2 people), but it got a bit soaked last night where they camped so he wanted it to air out better before making it to camp.

I carried on and passed a shelter without going down to it. Then it was a steep uphill climb to get to the Sugarloaf Mountain. Once I made it to the sign, there was a blue blazed trail saying the summit was up about 150 yards.. a man happened to be coming down it as I was crossing it and made the comment, “it’s socked in up there, can’t see a thing. I wouldn’t waste my time if I were you..” Little did he know, I wasn’t going up that side trail either way.. but I felt better about my choice knowing the views weren’t there.. hahaha

I passed another SOBO hiker and paused to chat him up a bit. Everyone seems super friendly today. Some days people just pass with a “happy trails” and nothing else, today people wanted to talk! And you know what? That was fine by me! I did, too! I wasn’t listening to music or a new audiobook.. today I just soaked in all that was around me. And it felt fantastic. This guy was the one that told me the stealth sites I’d see once I cross the river at the bottom are nicer in his opinion than the camp site a mile afterwards. The campsite was my original intention.. but I saw on my app about these stealth sites, too.. so now that he confirmed it, I had a new goal: one mile less than the campsite. While that means a mile more tomorrow.. eh, whatever, I’ll deal with tomorrow.. tomorrow. 😉

So I started the descent to the river. It started out nice and smooth-ish.. a few rocks and roots every few steps but not every step. Then it opened up to a cliff with the view of all the surrounding mountains and the river down below. At first, even here the trail was ok. I was wondering how in 1.3 miles I’d end up all the way down there at the water.. shortly there after, I figured it out.

HOLY HELL it was straight down! It felt scarier than Madison in the dark to me! The rocks looked freshly “rock slid” off the mountain. Like I was seriously worried that one step on the wrong rock would send the whole cliff side down to the bottom, me with it. The dirt even looked different-dry and almost sandlike.. unlike the wet mud dirt of every day prior. Maybe that’s why those rocks are still standing? Who knows? I don’t, but I do know I was very worried about my safety coming down that thing.

Luckily, I safely made it to the bottom, hearing rushing water for almost 15 solid minutes before reaching it. I crossed over and knew the search was on for a tent spot. I didn’t have to look far. There was a slanted one to my right, one right ahead with roots.. I kept going-a man was set up with his tent a little father on the right, and then to the left: perfection! There’s a fire ring with logs for sitting, and then just beyond, a nice flat spot for my tent. Out of politeness I made sure the man was ok if I set up here, if he said no I don’t know what I would have done, because this was destined to be home tonight regardless.

Before putting up my tent, I looked around and made sure there would be enough room for Steak and Scouts tent if they decided to make it here today. Technically, my spot would be better for them.. but I snagged it anyway since it was flatter. They’d still fit just off to my right a little bit. It was 5:45 when me and Mr. Man walked back to the river to get water. Once we did, I stayed and bathed before coming back and changing into my camp clothes.

I finished unpacking and then filtered water and made dinner. A ramen bomb. He came over to ask some questions about everything.. he’s doing a gear shakedown to see how he likes everything and what he does or doesn’t need for his section hike of the 100 mile wilderness at the end of the month. He seems super excited and had loads of questions.. all of which I was happy for because it was keeping me from crawling into my tent with the sun out.

Finally I cleaned up and we did retire to our tents. Around 8pm I saw a hiker pass my tent. I recognized the hair but wasn’t completely sure, so I yelled out a, “Scout, is that you?” Lol it was and we chatted through the tent for a few. I already have my pants off, letting my rashy business dry out/do what ever it does with hydrocortisone cream on. She told me 2 of her friends had the same thing happen to them after staying at the cabin, so I think I’ll call Hopper tomorrow when I get to town just to let her know, they may want to change their detergent, because TownLegs told me she got a rash after washing there, too.

Anyway, I asked if they had enough room for their tent in the spot next to me.. and that if not, I’d be willing to swap spots with them if they’d help me gently move my tent over there without completely unpacking the inside. She said she’d let Steak decide once he got there, but either way I didn’t need to move my tent. They are so dang nice. He showed up and said they had plenty of room next to me to set up. So they started doing all their chores. I still haven’t moved from my bed. Something tells me I’ll have to go pee before too long though.. I accidentally chugged a lot of water after dinner lol. The body wants what it wants! I just don’t want to have to put my pants back on.

So, there ya have it. The things that I think about. Oh! Before I forget! No snakes today AND today was the second day in a row of not falling! I’m a little scared to think what tomorrow brings.. haha It should be a really steep climb to the top of South Crocker mountain, a 300 ft decent and then a climb up North Crocker, with a 5 mile “ok” descent to the road crossing to get picked up for the hostel. So I’m told by my shakedown friend across the campsite from me. If he can do it with a 40 pound pack, I can do it, too! Hopefully a little faster so I have more time at the hostel!

Sweet dreams, y’all!