About a month ago, I made an ill-advised decision to try to hike a long section from the AT Trailhead at East B Hill Road in Andover. It was too hot, there was no cover (leaves) and the terrain was too challenging for such a distance. Today, I decided to return to the section with a new strategy: I planned to hike into the middle using the Frye Brook Trail. Our day started at 0500 - I got a shower, ate a light breakfast and cleaned up the RV. We left for Dixfield at around 0600. My dad got gas in town and I got a free (birthday) hot chocolate from Dunkin Donuts. After that, we continued west on US-2 until we reached Rumford. We took ME-17 to the north and then used ME-120 to reach Andover. From there, we took East B Hill Road and looked for the parking area for The Cataracts. Once we located it, my dad dropped me off (0730) and I hiked into the woods with beautiful (clear, 50s) weather. The blue blazed trail was apparently an abandoned AT route but someone had recently restored it for use in accessing the Baldpates. This was the main reason the trail was so appealing to me - I wanted to cut in close to the summit of Baldpate East Peak and this got me the closest. The climb on the old trail was actually pretty descent (some mud and steep spots) and I was glad to reach the AT a bit ahead of schedule. I needed this advantage because I had a very strenuous mile to hike to the top of the climb… For almost an hour, I struggled up a slippery slope of granite covered in moss (SOBO). In some places, I was sure that I’d fall and break something so I crawled over the rocks. And the bugs were vicious up there! Even after I reached the “bald” and was able to enjoy some spectacular views, I figured out I still had another half mile to reach the summit sign. Somehow, I made it there and was extremely pleased to be able to reconnect with a section I did last year. But then my heart sank with the knowledge I had to backtrack through the treacherous mile I’d just completed. Slowly and carefully, I reversed course (AT NOBO) and made my way back down to the Frye Brook Trail junction. I later realized this caution used up lots of valuable time. Fortunately, the trail improved after that and I was able to make up a bit of time - I descended nearly 2000 feet in the process! Along the way, I encountered the only other person I saw all day - I think he was a birder because he tried to engage me in a conversation about a “rare bird call”. I politely feigned interest, mostly because I was concerned about my pace and remaining energy, and kept pressing onward. Just a bit after this, I (literally) stumbled across a green snake that was chasing a huge toad. Ah, the wonder of Nature! I stopped for a break at the Frye Notch Lean-to and then began a big climb up to another ridge (Surplus Mountain). Like so many other choices made by the Great Trail Designer, I really didn’t see the reason for this PUD - however, I was later pleased to see a great view of the Baldpates from the ridge. After this, most of my hike was a long descent to Dunn Falls. There were many places where the vegetation made it almost impossible to see the trail - it also made finding my turnaround point on the section (from the last hike) hard to locate. Actually, I didn’t bother too much about this, knowing that I’d be able to claim success when I reached the road… I had to use my hiking poles in a few places (for balance) and ended up bending one of them beyond its capability (I think that pole lasted seven years, though). A bit later, I ran out of water… Somehow, I made it to the falls with enough energy to climb back up to East B Hill Road (whew) and was glad to see my dad’s RV at the AT Trailhead (1400). Logged around 12 miles in 6.5 hours - not a bad day! Because the day had really drained me, my dad indulged my taking a break for a long while. As a result, we didn't get on the road again until after 1445. Once moving again, we drove north on East B Hill Road until we intersected with ME-26. We then drove south through Grafton Notch until we reached US-2 in Farmington. Ana was quiet almost all the way and didn't try to get in the way of my dad's driving... We continued west to Gorham, where Dad lost his hat out the window as we drove through town! Fortunately, he was able to retrieve it pretty easily ("that's my favorite hat!"). We next drove west, across several tough hills, until we could turn on to NH-115. I'd hoped this would be easier to use than my normal route (via NH-116) but I'm not sure things turned out that way... We continued south until we intersected with US-3. My dad mentioned that he wanted to try to eat dinner at Jesse's Steakhouse that evening but then said he first wanted to stop to feed the dog and get gas. With this change of plans in mind, I took us onto NH-141 and I-93, which we followed to Littleton (US-302). Once there, we stopped for a bit for a rest and to get gas. It was almost 1800 by then and I warned my dad that Jesse's would be really crowded in another hour. For this reason, we talked briefly about getting dinner at Applebees. Unfortunately, there was a line to be seated and my dad wanted to keep going. We drove south to Woodsville and continued further on NH-1, all the way to River Road in Piermont. We then got on NH/VT-25 and crossed the Connecticut River. After that, we drove all the way home via US-5. It started raining on the way but my dad really liked this route and was in good spirits by the time we reached Norwich/Hanover. By the time we arrived at Jesse's (1930), we found the parking lot packed with people (Dartmouth Graduation Weekend?). A bit annoyed, we gave up the whole idea and, after my dad picked up a frozen dinner at Irving, drove to my apartment. I first unloaded the RV. A bit later, my dad and I ate dinner inside my condo. Before I knew it, he was ready to go (he wanted to drive south to stay in a trucker parking lot near I-89) so we walked out to say goodbye. I felt a bit sad that the hiking adventure had to end... But I’m about 15 miles closer to finishing and eliminated some tough Maine sections. Hoping to return soon! AT Today = 4.2 miles / Grand Total AT = 1952.3 miles / AT Left = 233.0 miles
