7/24/06 Monday: South Arm Rd, Andover, Me to Sabathday Pond Lean-To (17mi)

1. Hiker living space in the basement of The Cabin
2. I caught Honey and Bear cleaning up after breakfast the morning of my departure... They were gracious hosts and quite enjoyable to be around...
3. A locally made sign greeting northbound hikers as they enter the woods to tackle Old Blue...
4. Transportation to and from the trailhead is happily provided by The Cabin
5. Climbing Old Blue was no picnic as the rebarb here indicates... This was not the only section requiring rebarb...
6. The trail finally leveled off and the ridge walk was quite nice...:)...
7. The higher I got, the shorter the trees got... I didnt quite get above treeline on this mountain range..
8. Thats me on the summit of Old Blue... Kinda cloudy today but nice hiking weather...
9. Picture from Bemis Mtn
10. Picture from Bemis Mtn with Mooselookmeguntic Lake in the distance
11. I walked through a family of these birds and this one posed for me...
12. More views north from Bemis Mtn of a series of open ledges and many many blueberries
13. I crossed ME17 and look back at Mooselookmeguntic Lake just before I reenter the woods northbound for Sabbathday Pond Lean-to.

Well, staying another day/night was tempting but the urge to finish this expedition is overwhelming at this point... After another wonderful breakfast I settled my bill with the staff and they took me back to the trail head.. I hit the trail about 0800, and was greeted with sunny skies and 70 degree temps... Old Blue Mtn. was the first challenge of the day but certainly not the only one... I would have just 2 1200" ascents today, easy compared to previous days and days to come... I had some nice views from Old Blue and again later from Bemis Mtn. and took a number of pictures... Unfortunately, they rerouted the trail off Elephant Mtn., a favorite destination of mine, but apparently in need of some rehabilitation. The MATC (Maine Appalachian Trail Club), like all the other clubs along the trail charged with maintenance of the trail, rerouts the trail whenever necessary... I got some nice views of Mooselookmeguntic Lake while decending Bemis, quite a site to behold... I had lunch at the Bemis Mtn. shelter around 1315 before completing my descent and reaching Me17. I had to cross Bemis Stream before getting to Me17, thank goodness the water level was low, because like so many streams in Maine, there are no bridges. You cross by stepping from rock to rock or using a fallen tree, or removing your boots and wading across when the water is too high... I made it to ME17 at about 1615 and phoned Jackie to check in and remind her as I do daily that I love her, whenever I can get a signal that is...;)... I still had 4 miles to go before I would be stopping for the night, so I said my goodbyes and continued on my way... I soon came across a couple of 30 something German guys stopped in the trail... They were confused and unhappy with their hike up to that point... They said they disliked hiking in main because the forest is too dense and they were unable to stop whenever they liked to pitch their tent.. I didnt really know what to tell them... It was true that this section of forest was particularly dense on either side and that we were passing through a wetland area to boot.. I told them they should give the trail a few miles or maybe try a different section further north... I could see they were uncomfortable with their gear, probably carrying way too much and though they had come only a few miles were ready to camp... or head back to their car...LOL... I think they head back to their car... About 30min later I came across some trail majic, some oatmeal cookies, soda in the stream, and some apples... What a pleasant surprise.. I made off with one of each and continued on my way... I arrived at Sabbathday Pond Lean-To around 1815 and had the shelter to myself... I cooked dinner, cleaned up, stored my gear, and was in my bag by 2000.. I was unable to get a signal, as is usually the case out in the backcountry... I was aroused around 2200 when a hiker and his dog arrived in camp, but after a short greeting they left again and I never saw them again...