Goodbye Maine; Hello, New Hampshire

After 28-1/2 days of hiking in Maine, I finally made it to New Hampshire on July 5.  The last few days in Maine included some of the toughest terrain so far, including three significant mountains and the infamous Mahoosuc Notch.

Tuesday brought dry, but warm weather for the ascent of Baldate Mountain.  Once I was up to tree line the cool breeze was very refreshing and the views were excellent.

Wednesday, Independence Day, was a full day of hiking the peaks and the valleys of western Maine.  The day began innocently enough finishing the descent from Baldpate before beginning a long ascent of Old Speck Mountain.  A clearing 0.3 miles before the summit afforded a fine view.

As the day promised more strenuous obstacles ahead, I followed the AT down to Speck Pond and declined the detour to the summit.  The steep descent afforded fine views, but also demanded my full attention.

At Speck Pond, the trail naturally started upward again to Mahoosuc Arm.  A quick lunch break at the summit provided a partial view of the final obstacle of the day, Mahoosuc Notch.  The distance in the picture prevents a full appreciation of the steep walls of the notch, although the upper section of the scarred face of the wall is visible.

The Mahoosuc Notch is touted as the most difficult mile on the AT in many publications.  After hiking it, I would call it the most time consuming, but not all that difficult, which seems to be the consensus among hikers I encountered the last few days. It took me the better part of three hours to tavel over, between, and under the boulders strewn across the bottom of the notch — a distance of 1.1 miles.  In a few locations, I had to take my pack off and push it through an opening in the rocks before I crawled through, due to the narrow space.  As I crawled under some of the large boulders, I wondered what is the name of the phobia that a large rock, in place for hundreds or thousands of years, is suddenly going to fall as one passes under it.

The consolation of the Notch was the relief from the heat.  Ice was present, even on July 4, in several of the caves.

As I approched the end of the Notch, I was able to look up and see the wall of the notch that I had viewed from above on Mahoosuc Arm.

Thursday brought me to the end of the trail in Maine.  The last major peak was Goose Eye Mountain, which provided plenty of sunshine.  As I hiked above tree line for several hours, I took out my sunscreen for the first time on the trip.

As I proceeded over and past Mt. Carlo, I reached the end of the trail in Maine — a month of memories behind me, and new challenges waiting for me in New Hampshire.  After hiking for 13 hours, I reached the Gentian Pond lean-to just as the sun was setting.

Friday was another 12-mile day to get to Gorham, New Hampshire.  A morning thunderstorm made for a soggy day, and I saw no notable views; thus, no pictures from the last day.  I am taking a rest day today in Gorham before I head into the White Mountains.