With rain in the forecast, I got an earlier start this morning. It was misty and in the low 60s - everything was damp. The good weather seemed to be limited so I decided to go back across the Kennebec to visit another trailhead I’d seen on the NatGeo planform. The route there was easy - I used the same gravel roads as yesterday but took the northern fork of the split at Bowtown Road (became Otter Pond Road). Had to dodge a huge tractor trailer logging truck (the lumber companies built the roads and have the right of way) on the way but didn’t see anyone else all morning. Parked (no official lot) where the AT crossed the road near Pierce Pond and started west (AT SOBO) at 0815. Immediately, I ran into the young Mainer (and his dog) I’d walked with yesterday - five minutes later and I would have missed them. The hiker was feeling content after eating a huge pancake breakfast at Harrison’s Camp (nearby) and his dog was racing around chasing squirrels. We parted again with “have a nice life” and I soon felt like the woods belonged to me. I did see one other hiker (Thru?) near the junction for the side trail to Harrison’s but we never got close enough to talk. The trail near the lake and Lean-To (Shelter) was rocky, rooty and muddy (what’s new) and I really had to watch my feet. But I wasn’t prepared for fording the stream... My six year old “AWOL” AT Guide said that there was a wooden dam that I could use to cross the Pierce Pond Stream but I saw no evidence of it - instead, I had to put my boots on moss covered rocks that were submerged and hope I didn’t fall into the water. About half way across, I thought “wait, I’m going to have to do this again” and I wondered if I had two successful crossings in me... Feet still wet, I continued my hike along the compound-bow-shaped (terrain wise) section. For the whole morning, I found myself jumping over muddy pits, climbing over fallen trees, and chasing a series of white blazes that rarely seemed to line straight up in the distance. Intermittently, the sound of raindrops picked up and I was glad that the canopy overhead shielded me from the worst of the precipitation. About halfway out, I passed a Thru hiker (I saw his light blue tag) who was standing still with “the first cell signal in days”, talking to his significant other. Otherwise, it was just me, my churning legs and my weighty day-pack... It felt good to reach the Carrying Place Road (where I started yesterday) earlier than expected and I immediately started my backtrack without a break. Felt like I made better time on the way back towards the car and I began to imagine I’d finish my day very early. Just then, I encountered a young guy who told me he was a SOBO Thru hiker. As we talked, I realized he was actually one of the group of five smiling youngsters I’d passed at the base of Moxie Bald a few days before. The rest of the merry band showed up shortly later and they were still all smiles (16 days since leaving Katahdin). I discovered that they had all been strangers on a rafting trip in August and learned their colleges were going to do Virtual only semesters. Since they’d miss out on lots of college fun, they decided to take each take Gap Years and hike the AT together. Since they no longer had deadlines, they were taking their time - they’d spent the previous afternoon swimming in waterfalls after crossing the Kennebec and had gotten a late start because of a 12-pancake breakfast at Harrison’s. What a story they’ll have when it’s all done! I reluctantly left their youthful energy and made my way back to the road, successfully fording the stream again and arriving at the car after about 9.5 miles. Since it wasn’t raining yet (the sun had even started to peek out a little), it occurred to me then that I could cut off some of the distance of the section on the other side of the road if I kept going. This would make it easier to use the Kennebec Ferry (only runs from 0900 to 1400, during the summer) in the future and only have to hike around two miles before turning back. I walked for about a mile along the Pierce Pond Stream - first, I was at eye level with several pretty waterfalls but the cascades eventually dropped at least 100 feet below. I found a good landmark (wooden bridge across a small stream) and then retraced my steps to the car, arriving at 1330 after almost 12 miles. By then, it was warmer (high 70s) but dry - forecasters missed again, I guess. Thought about going over to Harrison’s myself but decided to head back to Bingham to rest and recover (I’ve got a second blister). Cleaned up and read in my room for part of the afternoon. At 1730, I drove a short distance (south on US-201) to get some groceries at Jimmy's Shop & Save in Bingham. It was damp/drizzly when I got back to my car - decided I might as well fill up the gas tank (right next door at Sunoco). It might sound boring, but I spent the evening in my room again (with my book and a TV dinner). Had some communications with the kids and watched a bit of TV (movies) before heading to bed (2230). Felt pretty good, all things considered, after my sixth day on the AT - hoping to keep the good vibes going with some more miles tomorrow! AT Today = 5.9 miles / G.T. AT = 1676.5 miles]
