The weather forecast for the North Country looked nice enough to try another AT hiking trip this weekend! Since the drive is usually so brutal, I asked my company for a half day (they agreed). As a result, I only worked until 1030. I then packed up my car and departed my condo by 1045. Used I-91, VT/NH-25, River Road, NH-10 (lots of slow traffic), US-302, NH-116 and US-2 to reach Gorham. Stopped for gas at Irving (1255). Listening to audio books all afternoon... Used US-2 (more slow traffic) and, at Wilton, got on ME-156 to by-pass Farmington (encountered construction delays). Eventually, I was back on US-2 and followed it until Skowhegan. Then took US-201A to ME-150 - used that road all the way to ME-6. Got an early dinner at McDonalds in Dover-Foxcroft (1550) and continued east to ME-16, which I used to reach the junction with ME-11 (more construction delays). Finally arrived at Jo Mary Checkpoint at 1700 and paid for two days in the area. Continued into the Multi-Use Area until I reached the AT trailhead on Johnson Pond Road (1730) - my car didn't like some of the gravel road (slippery control issues!). Had to change in order to get hiking. By this point, it was windy and cool (50s). Before leaving the parking area, I noticed a Prius parked there and some trail-magic in a cooler by the trailhead... As I hiked (SOBO) into the woods, I kept thinking about how lucky I was to have reached a place in the Hundred Mile Wilderness early enough to hike. I made good time to the top of Little Boardman Mountain (had to hike again to connect to a section I did earlier in the month). Not much to talk about in this short section but I'm glad I finished it! Overall, the weather was cooler and windier weather than I’ve experienced since Spring - hope things stay like this until Sunday night! I'd finished hiking at 1900 (after about three miles) and then drove back to the east on Johnson Pond Road. Fortunately, I'd already seen my campsite (Johnston Pond #4) on the way to the trailhead because it was dark enough in the woods that I could easily have missed it altogether. Encountered a moose crossing the road on the way! Once parked, I set up camp (car seat fold-over again). I then spent the rest of the evening reading, resting and relaxing. It got dark by 1930 and the temps dropped into the 40s - I layered up accordingly. Was in "bed" by 2130. Glad I made it up here for some more trail miles! AT Today = 1.4 miles / Grand Total AT = 2052.0 miles
