Days 118 – 122 | Bigelows to Monson

Day 118 2009 – 2025.8 (16.8)

The weather was beautiful as I hiked up and over the Bigelows. A mountain range that I was informed, was the last tough climb for a while. As I crested the peaks, I ran across many old friends including Night Watch, Hellbender, and Styles. 

In the morning, a couple of hikers (The Drs.) staying at the hostel gave me a summit beer, that I enjoyed on the top.

On the way down I hiked and talked with HellBender. We made it to a road with about an hour of daylight remaining and were surprised by trail magic by Step all the way from North Carolina. He had candy, drinks, chips, and other snacks. He planned on doing trail magic in the morning, which convinced many hikers to camp near by to indulge in the magic. Night Watch, Hell Bender, and I were included in that lot. Camping just off a gravel parking lot just down the way. 

Day 119 2025.8 – 2042 (16.2) 

For breakfast I headed back to the trail magic enjoying a breakfast quesadilla, coffee, and pancake. Twelve hikers congregated eating it started to drizzle, making it hard to start the day.

The trail was very flat, relatively speaking with only 2,169 ft of gain over the day. By early afternoon the rain had cleared and I enjoyed a swim in East Carry Pond. Hellbender and four other hikers joined me. 

A whole slew of hikers stopped at the Pierce Pond Shelter, because it was just a few miles before the Kennebec River crossing. I enjoyed the social energy and the fire at the shelter, loons calling in the evening. 

Day 120 2042 – 2057.9 (15.8)

The Kennebec River is a large river that is too dangerous to ford, therefore the ATC has a free canoe to ferry hikers across the river. The service starts at 9 so, the few miles down were lesurely covered. After signing waivers and waiting in line till around 9:30, Slugger and I crossed it smoothly. From there it was a short walk to Caratunk. I waited for a shuttle to the Sterling Inn for a shower, laundry, resupply, and phone interview. Society starts to becon. 

After all the chores were done I shuttled back to the trail and headed out in good weather and good spirits. The rest of the day was fairly quiet. I pitched tent right at dusk. The sun is setting noticeably earlier and the nights are cool. 

Day 121 2057.9 – 2082.7. (24.8)

I got up early and stayed hiking in a cool foggy morning. I had a steady 5 mile climb up Moxie Bald. On the top I found Night Watch still packing up. (They had cowboy camped at the top) I chatted with him as we descended the bald, catching up to Hellbender to; we spent the day hiking and talking. 

My original plan was to Nero into town tomorrow, but decided to hike the extra miles to enjoy town food and the company. We caught a very quick hitch at the trailhead, riding in the back of a truck. Though the driver took a few wrong turns (he left the pull over spot going the wrong way) we made it safely. 

Day 122 zero

The day was spent resupplying, eating, and resting at Shaw’s hostel fort he last leg of Maine.