ME weekend #2, day 1

Friday, July 1, 2016
Start: Rt 201/Caratunk
End: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to
Miles: 18.8 (+0.2 side trails)

I started out from Caratunk this morning after spending the night at the Sterling Inn. They had a lovely breakfast, with everything from OJ to coffee, bagels to English muffins, fruit to jam, cereal to boiled eggs. It was quite a spread. They provided me with a shuttle to the trailhead and I was on trail hiking by 6:45am. I made amazing time today, arriving at the lean-to 4.1 miles before my night's lean-to by 1:15pm. I took a half an hour break at that lean-to as well as at the peak of Moxie Bald Mountain. I arrived at my night's lean-to by 4:15pm. It's 6:15pm and I'm pretty much ready for bed.

Today, I hiked by Holly Brook (901'), Pleasant Pond Lean-to, up Pleasant Pond Mountain (2470'), past Moxie Pond and Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to (1312'), up Moxie Bald Mountain (2629'), and down to Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to (1224'). At the peak of Moxie Bald, I got my first glimpse of Katahdin far in the distance. It was pretty damn cool. 

Today, I saw 24 SOBOs, including the 12 at the lean-to so far. I've met Charlene, Cucumber, and Hummingbird, as well as Broadway and Jay. I hiked by another 4 section hikers, as well two day hikers  (one of whom was open carrying with the holster's safety unbuttoned).

Many of the hikers at the lean-to are partaking of a lot of weed... like all other pot smoking hikers I've met this year, they do it inside the shelter, even when asked not to. Currently, I'm out by the pond after the smell started giving me a severe headache and nausea. I'm hoping they stop soon or move so I can relax on my bed.