It was rainy again when we woke up (0530) so we used the early morning hours for relaxing. At 0700, we got on the road so we could reposition to the Katahdin Iron Works / Jo Mary Multi-Use Area. This required us to drive a long way (via some back roads, NH-150, ME-6 and ME-11) but put us close to the middle of the Hundred Mile Wilderness. My dad's RV did not enjoy all the hills we encountered along the way and we both got annoyed at an RV operator who tailgated us into Dover-Foxcroft. We both thought "aren't you also on a vacation?" SMH... We got some lunch at McDonalds (0745) and then continued north and east to KI Road. From the information I had read, there was a 50/50 chance that my dad’s RV would be allowed in the area. This made me wonder if the drive was a good idea but my dad said he wanted to try it. After we drove seven miles from the pavement (via a logging truck route), we reached the Katahdin Iron Works Checkpoint (0940). I was very relieved to discover that we could, in fact, continue into the wilderness area and then got even better news: they had some campsites available that would allow us to get two full days to explore the area! I knew exactly what part of the AT I wanted to hike by this point but we first made a stop at the AMC Gorman-Chairback Lodge to ask if we could eat dinner there (they said yes). Satisfied that logistics were all set, I asked my dad to drop me off at the trailhead for the Third Mountain Trail (located off Chairback Mountain Road). I was walking in the woods by 1130 and made good time to the ridge, 1.4 miles away. Just as I reached the AT, I encountered my first NOBO Thru hiker (a young guy) and asked him how his hike was going. Unusual for a Thru hiker in the vicinity of Katahdin, he replied “I can’t wait for this to be over”. I told him I could relate and then followed him north. He was too fast for me but I caught him again when I found him talking to another NOBO Thru hiker (Brad, who I’d seen the previous afternoon near the end of my hike). After that, I lost the first guy and walked with Brad for a while. He was a Veteran (Marine) who had done several long distance trails of several kinds (biking, hiking, canoeing). Most interesting of all, however, was that he had seriously injured his ankle in Vermont but had quickly resumed his Thru hike while wearing a leg brace/cast! He talked a lot about his pet peeves (especially anything related to the AMC) and other things that sounded like conspiracy theories. So it was no surprise when I learned later (from the first hiker I’d met) that his trail name was “Gribble” (I assume from the “King of the Hill” character). But, initially, I really enjoyed hearing about his hike. We crossed the Third Mountain summit (amazing views) together and then he got ahead of me while I was snapping photos. When I caught him later, though, he was walking in my direction because the trail markings were quite confusing. When I reached the place that had tripped him up, I found white blazes heading off in two separate directions (actually three, if I counted the ones behind me). By process of elimination, we found the correct path. When Brad stopped to get water, I continued on alone and soon crossed Columbus Mountain. The weather was overcast but I got some more views, especially of some steep peaks to the north. From time to time, especially in the exposed areas, it felt like rain but I believe this was mostly a factor of the extreme humidity in the area. Even though the temps probably never passed 75 degrees, I spent most of the day covered in sweat… Upon reaching the Chairback Gap Shelter, I took a snack break and talked a bit more with the first Thru I’d need (never got his name). After he left me alone again, the only people I saw for the rest of the hike were three SOBO Thrus. Meanwhile, I climbed to the summit of Chairback Mountain and marveled at some more great views. This ridge was extremely steep, with a huge cliff face to avoid as I walked the trail. This led to a huge descent too - as I descended down the treacherous trail, I wondered if there were any east places left for me to hike… Before I was done, I had to navigate a series of annoying PUDs, complete with mud, rocks, roots and standing water. Added to the fun: the last mile was basically a muddy slide. A hike in Maine wouldn’t be complete without a fall and I managed to log another one of those before the end. Needless to say, I was very glad to finish my hike (at around 1700, after about 9 miles) and find my dad waiting at KI Road. Along with him were three other hikers that I’d seen the day before - they were waiting for a re-supply. My dad then drove us back to the Gorman-Chairback Lodge for dinner. Once inside, we joined the folks who were staying there overnight and had some great conversation while eating a delicious meal. We even got to have a beer (Baxter Lager Road)! It started raining again while we were eating. We were finished at 1845 and I was able to refill my water bottles before we left. We next drove to our campsite (Pleasant River No. 5), where we spent the rest of the evening relaxing, reading and prepped for next day. Turned in for the night at 2200. Long day but definitely a good one! Crossing fingers for more HMW tomorrow... AT Today = 7.0 miles / Grand Total AT = 2030.4 miles
