NH/ME AT section hike, day 8

Start: Piazza Rock Lean-to
End: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Mileage: 16.9

Today, we did the most miles we've done in a day so far. They weren't easy miles either.

We left the shelter aeound 7:15am. We climbed from Piazza Rock Lean-to  (2,080') to Saddleback Mountain (4,120') down into a dip and then up to the Horn (4,020'). We got a good trail family picture on Saddleback's summit with all four of us. We then went down past Reddington Stream Campsite (rumored to have giardia [sp] in the water source) (3,170') up to Saddleback Junior (3,655'). We stopped at Poplar Ridge Lean-to for lunch and much needed water, as we skipped over Reddington and it was the first water source since Piazza.

From there, it was down to Orbeton stream (1,550'). We spent some time there, as the water was cool and the stream had some deep pools to swim in. From there, it was up Lone Mountain  (3,260'). We made it to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to by 5:45pm and there was once again space for all four of us in the lean-to.

Tomorrow, it's 13.5 miles to Maine 27 and Stratton! It's been an adventure, over what I hear is the harshest section of sustained difficult terrain on the Appalachian Trail but me and my knees are ready to go home!

NH/ME AT section hike, day 7

Start: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
End: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Mileage: 11.2

Today, we started around 7am from the Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to. We had a lot of fairly flat miles today as we went around Little Swift River Pond and South Pond.

We arrived at Maine 4 at 11am; within 10 minutes, a shuttle driven by Stacy, one of the owners of the Farmhouse Inn, stopped and asked us if we'd like a ride into town. She kindly brought us into town, giving us the lay of the land. We had Thai food for lunch, followed by ice cream. We resupplied at the IGA and then the hostel provided us with a free shuttle back to the hostel.

There, we did laundry and some of us showered. The hostel had a lovely set-up, with beds for ~30 guests, with two kitchens and many living room areas. There were multiple TVs with DVD players and a large movie collection. There were plenty of power strips and charging stations. They also had a nice little store with hiking supplies and food stuffs.

We spent the afternoon there, getting a ride back to the trail head at 7pm. We arrived at Piazza Rock Lean-to at 7:45pm and found only Shadow at the lean-to. She was at Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to yesterday evening as well. We have plenty of room in the shelter tonight!

Tomorrow, it's on to Saddleback Mountain and the Horn. ~30 miles to Stratton from here. I expect to be into town by Wednesday night or Thursday morning.