The weather was great again today! After waking up early and checking out (automated process) from my hotel, I drove a short distance and ate a delicious breakfast at the Crossroads Diner in Bethel (0830). Feeling satisfied, I drove up US-2 to the intersection of ME-26. From there, it was a nice drive north into Grafton Notch State Park. I looked around at the AT Trailhead and admired the view - the high peaks of the Mahoosuc Range looked very daunting! Decided not to tackle that section today and, instead, drove (via gravel roads) into the woods to the northeast. After driving in the dust for a while, it was a pleasant surprise to find that the East B Hill Road, which I wanted to take, was brand new blacktop. I found the AT Trailhead a bit farther south and headed NOBO by 0930. The temps started in the low 60s, so I wore a T-shirt (carried more clothes). Within 100 yards of the road, I passed a lady backpacker who had been out overnight. After that, though, I didn’t see any people for over three hours. It was just as well - I had my hands full with concentration and “watch your step” on the challenging terrain. Unlike yesterday, this section was mostly a big (2000+ feet) climb, with several drops/re-climbs of greater than 500 feet. The surface was rocky, muddy, rooty and wet - just like lots of other Maine terrain I’ve seen before. Within two miles, I’d climbed high and then given it all back to reach Surplus Pond. Right after passing that peaceful place, I was climbing up another steep hill. Somehow, I made it to the wide summit of Wyman Mountain and was treated to some fine views to the north. The trees obscured enough that I really couldn’t get a good picture but the map said I was looking at the sprawling Richardson (and, possibly, Rangeley) lake systems - wow! Soon after, I was headed downhill again... I started to see more views as I resumed my climb up Hill Mountain - the mountain pathway of the AT was evident to the northeast. My pace was apparently slow enough that I was really wondering where the shelter (my target at six miles from the car) was at the three hour mark. It was then that I encountered the first person in a long time - a lady who was filling up her water bottles and warned me about her two unfriendly dogs. I continued, a bit nervous, until I found the (very small) canines tied to the shelter wall - fortunately, another person held the “vicious beasts” back until I had started my backtrack... Within the next 30 minutes, I ended up meeting five Thru hikers: a young couple (chasing their Bubble friends), a solo guy named “Treebeard” (from Pittsburgh, started from Pine Grove Furnace) and two of the tallest lady hikers I’ve ever seen. Every one of them was in good spirits and I chatted with them for a bit (with Treebeard the longest). These delays distracted me from the hard work of the climb, descend, climb (etc.)... It got warmer (70s?) during the backtrack and I had to fight a lot of negative thoughts about the Trail Designer as I tripped and slogged my way back towards the car. Eventually, I made it to an easier part of the walk across Wyman Mountain and encountered an older couple - they were debating whether they were at the summit. I didn’t feel like being a tiebreaker but suggested they’d found the best place to call the top - and then started down towards Surplus Pond. The rest of the hike was a blur - somehow I made all the right steps (didn’t fall!) and didn’t stop a lot. I eventually (1535) found the road - what a welcome sight! This 12 miles was much harder fought and won than yesterday’s “tour” through the Whites - I feel good about powering through it. Headed southeast on East B Hill Road until I found the town of Andover and then drove back to Rumford on ME-120 and ME-17. It was pretty early so I explored US-2 as I drove north. Picked up a sandwich (for the next day) at Subway in Mexico (1630) and later bought dinner at Burger King in Farmington (1710). Ate in the car and then backtracked to Wilton - checked into the Comfort Inn (reward night!) at 1730. Took a swim in the hotel pool, hoping it would help rejuvenate my “old man” body again - I will need it for the hiking in the morning! Reading in my room and bed by 2200. AT Today = 6.0 miles / G.T. AT = 1652.1 miles
