Days 95, 96, and 97

Day 95, July 7, Caratunk to the West Carry Pond Lean-to

Hiked today 14 today’s ascent 1700 total hiked 4169

Today I got up around 6:10 AM. The B&B bed was not very comfortable and I did not sleep well. Breakfast was served at 6:30. This B&B had basically a continental style breakfast with no hot food. I spent time packing up and having more coffee until the shuttle took me back to the trailhead at about 9 o’clock. The ferry is only a quarter-mile from the trailhead and the operator doesn’t start ferrying until 9 o’clock. I arrived at the ferry before 9:10, signed release forms, and was across the river by 9:15 AM. The ferry is a guy with a canoe who picks you up on one side of the Kennebec and drops you off on the other.  You don’t even get your feet wet.

This is the upper part of pond stream Falls. It looks like the lower part is about the same so it probably combines for about 50 feet.

This was the only ford today. It was 4 miles into the hike.

Todays hike was basically a slog through Maine’s roots, rocks, bogs, and mud pits.  I got a late start and the obstacle course slowed my pace so I only hiked 14 miles instead of my originally planned 18.

I’m alone in the area this evening.  This is my campsite  near the West Carry Pond Lean-to.

Day 96, July 8, West Carry Pond Lean-to to the Safford Notch Campsite

Hiked today 12.6 today’s ascent 3320 total hiked 1481

I took this shot on the way up Little Bigelow mountain. There are many views as the trail breaks into the open, this is one of them.

And here’s another one.  Todays hike up the mountain is both exhausting and spectacular.

This is a view from the trail near the top.

This is the view from a rocky outcrop just west of the summit of Litte Bigelow Mountain. If you zoom in you should be able to see all the ski slopes of a big resort on the facing mountain.

The mountain in the picture below  is Bigelow mountain.  At 4000 feet, it is 1000 feet higher than Little Bigalow. I’ll be climbing that mountain tomorrow.

This is one of the best views of Bigelow Mountain from Little Bigelow Mountain. The second picture is just to the right of Bigelow Mountain, showing the kind of wetlands that are common in central Maine.

Presenting…Maine!  Mountains, lakes, rivers and streams in beautiful forests.

I arrived at the Safford Notch Campsite around 5:30.  My original plan was to hike another 4 miles to a campsite between two peaks on Bigalow Mountain.  I was exhausted after Little Bigalow and didn’t feel I could make the 2000 foot climb.

I found a decent tent site, had dinner, filled up water bags, and was ready to sleep before 8.

The walk from the AT to the campsite is an interesting one.  It passes through a short, 50 foot,  tunnel formed by a giant rock slab resting on giant boulders.

Day 97, July 9, Safford Notch Campsite to ME Route 27 (Roadhouse Hostel, Stafford)

Hiked today 10.4 today’s ascent 3260 total hiked 1491

Today I got up about 5:45 and after having breakfast and breaking camp am on the trail at 7:00.

I’ve just started up Bigelow Mountain and stopped at this viewpoint looking up at Little Bigelow Mountain, which I climbed yesterday.

This is another Vista about halfway up the mountain, looking at Little Bigelow and beyond.

These are the views from a Vista called old man’s head. The rock you stand on looks like the top of a giant skull.     There’s really a 180° view from here and these four pictures go from left to right.

The first peak on Bigelow Mountain is called Avery Peak.  I climbed over 1800 feet to this peak.

There are full 360 degree views from this rocky peak. 

The second peak on Bigalow Mountain, West Peak, is slightly higher but the views aren’t as good.

This picture is looking along Bigalow from West Peak.  You can see two more Bigelow peaks, South Peak on the left and North Peak on the right.

The view below looks back along the trail and shows West Peak in the foreground and Avery Peak in the background.

Now l’m on the Bigelow South Peak. It’s altitude is over 3800 feet. This shot is back along the Bigalow range showing the two peaks. I just came over.

This is looking down on Horn Pond, and up to the North and South peaks, North on the left and South on the right.

I arrived at the Route 27 parking lot just after 3:00 PM.  Jenn from the hostel arrived about 5 minutes later.  They have a five o’clock shuttle to town, where I did a little grocery run and had dinner.

The forecast for tomorrow and Thursday is a little ominous with inches of rain expected tomorrow night and Thursday.