Hazy, Hot, and Humid

Another four days of hiking and I have arrived in Andover, Maine.  My total mileage is now at 257 since starting at the summit of Katahdin.  My boots have not been dry since the last time I wrote — the product of almost daily thunderstorms and wet, muddy trails.

My departure from Rangely on Friday started well.  It was a relatively easy day and I took my time as I enjoyed the trail. As I sat at the edge of Chandler Mill Stream, the outlet of a boreal bog, I enjoyed the sound of running water and decided it was finally time to photograph one of the blue, black, and white butterflies I have seen through much of Maine.  As it turned out, the half-hour I spent having a snack and relaxing resulted in being caught in an afternoon downpour the last half-hour of my hike.

Saturday morning began a series of hot and humid days and wet gear and clothes, with hazy skies preventing sharp views from the mountains.  As I crossed Maine Route 17, I had beautiful yet muted views of Mooselookmeguntic Lake and the Bemis Range, my next destination.

Shortly after a steep descent from the road, I crossed Bemis Stream.  The water level was still high from the preceding afternoon storm and so I took off my hiking boots and waded across in my Crocs.  Despite the higher than expected water level, the current was not strong and the crossing was uneventful, and welcome relief for my feet.

The heat and humidity were starting to get me down as I climbed away from the stream.  Just as I reached the lowest emotional point of my trip, so far, I had my first encounter with “trail magic,” the term for kind deeds that locals perform for the hikers.

As I started the steep ascent up Bemis Mountain and crossed a dirt road, I came upon a cooler packed with sandwiches, cookies, and cold drinks.  Recharged with a chocolate chip cookie and can of ginger ale, I quickly ascended Bemis Mountain, stopping for a quick picture from the Second Peak, as the next afternoon storm rolled in.

I had time to put on my rain jacket and pack cover, which probably contributed to the brevity of the rain.  Saturday night was another story, however,  I awoke around 2 a.m. and for at least an hour, I watched the almost constant flickering of the night sky through the trees and listened to the rumbling thunder as the rain poured down.

Sunday morning, many of the trail sections were transformed into streams, taking the storm runoff to the rivers below.  Combined with the heat and humidity, this was a most challenging day, made marginally worse by knowing the odds of a repeat of the trail magic I encountered Saturday were slim and none.  I persevered, with the help of prayer I requested from Katie, and I rolled into camp around 8:30 p.m., just as the sun had set.

This morning was also damp; even though no more rain had fallen, I awoke in the midst of a low lying cloud.  While the view from the shelter was limited by the fog, I was able to find a nice view in the front corner of the lean-to as I unhung my pack and prepared for the day.

The next several days will be a combination of wonderful views and difficult hiking as I cross Baldpate Mountain and the Mahoosuc Range before exiting Maine.  Hopefully I will have some spectacular pictures and stories for my next post.