Mahoosuc

• Day:  141
• Start:  1912.9
• End:  1922.6
• Miles:  9.7
• Hours:  7
• High temp:  72
• Low temp:  52
• Thru Hikers met:  3

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 I'm on the right

Hermit was thoughtful setting up his tent on just half of the tenting platform leaving room for me to setup. Few are stirring at 0530 hrs as I rise. The sun is peeking through the trees with its orange morning light. 

I'm on the trail by 0600 hrs. I climb to a ridge then drop down into the Notch. 

From the top of my first climb. A nice slab of horizontal rock. 

The Mahoosuc Notch, a narrow canyon filled with enormous rocks. The trail goes over and under these rocks, this is something that I have not seen on the trail before. 

Mahoosuc Notch

So I rested my pack and crawled through to the other side

Yet another crawl through spot, I was able to keep my pack on for this one

I hop from big rock to big rock, I ease myself down to the floor and climb out, I crawl under enormous boulders to the other side. I do this again and again until one hour later I've made it through. 

One half of the day's challenge is complete, now I face the 1600' climb up the Mahoosuc Arm.  This is steep, I climb up to a rock slab then carefully walk it to its top, then I do it again and again until relief enters my mind as I realize I'm at the top. Sweat dripping from my brow and salt stinging my eyes. I completed the second challenge of the day.  Now a rest and some food before continuing on. 

Speck Pond, I follow this around to the right to have lunch at the shelter

After hiking up Old Speck to the view point I descent a 3 mile section to Grafton Notch and ME rte 26. On the way down a nice little waterfall makes itself known. 

I like the little rivulets of water 

In Andover is a hostel called the Cabin operated by Honey and Bear. I'm planning on heading there when I get to the Notch. I reach the Notch parking lot and walk to the entry drive. I ask for a ride as I swing my pack to the ground. A car with one available seat comes out of the parking lot. The passenger asks "where are you going?"  I tell them and it is where they are going. On the way we stop at a self serve pie stand, where besides pies they offer maple cream filled cookie sandwiches and whoppie pies. I try the cookie sandwich which is delicious. 

Self serve pies

The local food inspector stops by to get something. He has just finished inspecting the pie shop operation and reports they are perfect. 

Honey and Bear

They are hikers in their 80s. They are the nicest and most wonderful people to get to know. 

The Cabin

Full Goose

• Day:  140
• Start:  1891.6
• End:  1912.9
• Miles:  21.3
• Hours:  12
• High temp:  65
• Low temp:  45
• Thru Hikers met:  18

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Almost looks like the Sierras

Waffles at 0630 hrs with real maple syrup, butter and coffee. I miss my eggs and bacon, but that's what we are having for breakfast at the hostel. I'm on the trail by 0730 hrs which is right out the door.  I really like these hostels that are on the trail.  The climb this morning is easy compared to what I've been doing. My goal is to hike 21 miles to the Full Goose Shelter.  Because the hiking is easy even with climbs I feel this should be an easy goal.  

There is a high percentage of mica in some of the rocks. When the sun hits the ground and rocks there is a sparkling that makes me feel like I'm walking in the stars. 

Found some large pieces of mica

The forest is dense with a lush understory and conifers. 

I walk over many boardwalks, but now I'm more concerned about bogs under these wooden planks.  I've seen a few already where my poles sink into deep mud.  I really don't want to miss a step and put my foot into this mess. So I'm using extra caution when I cross the boardwalks now. 

I come upon a lake complete with serenading frogs. Their lazy belch sound just makes me laugh. 

Page Pond

Upper Gentian Pond

The next lake I come to, Upper Gentian Pond, provides me with a nice break spot. 

The trail is nice with a soft tread in a few areas, then come the slabs to walk and they are seldom horizontal.  I reach the summit of Mt Success. I have a nice 360 view, so I take my break here enjoying the beautiful scenery. 

360 view from Mt Success

Now two significant things happened today, the first is I've completed over 1900 miles and the second is I'm now in Maine, the final state on the trail. 

Maine!

I'm delighted about reaching the final state. This is the first time I've been in Maine, so it's a double treat.  Shortly after crossing the boarder I come to a steep rock climb with assists. 

Steel grab bars in the rock

Well it does make the climb more simple

All the SOBOs are now saying,"enjoy Maine", in a way that suggest it's a death sentence. . I don't have the heart to tell them that it's not over. While the technical rock scaling is less, each state is still full of difficulties and challenges, it's just not going to be easy.  I make the summit of Goose Eye East Peak and enjoy another nice view. The day uis drawing to a close for me. It's already 1800 hrs and I'm tired. I just finished the last of my food for the day. I've got  2.5 miles before the shelter. This last bit is taking a long time, I haven't done 20 miles in since entering the Whites. 

360 view from Goose Eye East Peak

A couple more alpine bogs to cross. On both boardwalks each has s spot wher the mud has flowed over the wood planks. I gingerly test the mud with my trekking pole for solid footing before making my leap of faith. I have passed unscathed except for some mud on my boots. 

In the shade is one of the muddy planks

I reach the shelter and it is packed with people, perhaps about 20 people here. We are a mixed bunch, NOBOs and SOBOs. This shelter is just prior to the Mahoosuc Notch which has huge boulders for .8 mile. Thus is a challenging crossing which is followed by the Mahoosuc Arm a 2 mile difficult climb. So we NOBOs have assembled here as a staging area to start our day tomorrow, the SOBOs have made it here through the Mahoosuc challenge and are tired. 

A good day with nice views   I'm really ready to rest now. 

Rattle River

• Day:  139
• Start:  1876.3
• End:  1891.6
• Miles:  15.3
• Hours:  7
• High temp:  56
• Low temp:  50
• Thru Hikers met:  0

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Carter Notch View on the way to Carter Dome

360 view from Carter Dome

I'm in the trail by 0800 hrs on my way up to Carter Dome. The air is cool, in the low 50's, making a good hiking morning. I reach the summit to find 2 women there, they take my picture for me before they leave. 

Carter Dome with the presidential range in the background 

I've got 14 more miles to hike to reach my destination. I plan on staying at the White Mountains Hostel in Gorham. Lots of granite slabs to walk with the usual assortment of steep rocks to navigate. Even with the difficulties I'm making good time. 

This leaf caught my eye

There is a damp lushness in this region that creates a beautiful foliage 

Fascinating how the plants can manage life even on a rock

The descent from this ridge is 3253', it seems like a long time to finally reach the bottom.  Then the trail levels and I'm walking along a stream, very nice end to the rocky hike. The last 4 miles are easy and flat on an almost dirt tread. In short order I arrive at the highway, I check my GPS because I arrived  so fast I'm not sure it's the proper spot. Yes it is and just a .1 mile down the road is the hostel and my resupply. This arrival is significant in two ways, I have completed the Whites and now have less than 300 miles to go to the completion of my hike. Another good day hiking. 

Carter Notch Hut

• Day:  137 - 138
• Start:  1870.4
• End:  1876.3
• Miles:  5.9
• Hours:  4.5
• High temp:  58
• Low temp:  54
• Thru Hikers met:  3

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The Joe Dodge Lodge and AMC Visitor Center

Another storm system is keeping me grounded for day 137. I don't like losing another hiking day, however It works out as I'm waiting for a box to be delivered with new clothing.  I need to send about 2 lbs of stuff home so I ask for a ride to town about 6 miles away. In town I mail my items home, redirect my resupply box to the hostel at the next highway crossing and get to Walmart.  After resuppling I work my way back up to the Notch. I treat my new clothes with permethrin to ward off ticks. With my new clothes I don't look like a hiker anymore.   Not sure if that's a good thing or not. 

A day well spent tending to hiking support issues. 

For day 138 I enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning enough to fuel me to my next destination.  I plan on hiking up a steep grade to Wildcat Mountain then dropping down to the Carter Notch Hut where I'll stay the night.  

I'm on the trail causally at 0730 hrs. What is very nice is the lodge is right on the trail, so to continue I just walk across the highway and start hiking the AT.  For a while I hike along a stream with some beaver activity. 

This pretty little stream is my morning companion. 

Lost Pond

The beavers must have dropped the tree in the snow

As the trail turns away from the water the climb begins. It is darn steep but there are some early views to enjoy. 

Looking south from a ledge, NH rte 16

View from a ledge on the way up to Wildcat D Peak

Hard to illustrate the streepness in a picture

Two hours later I'm at Wildcat summit, there is a nice view to the northeast. 

Carter Not h Hut below 

View to the northeast withe Carter Notch Hut below

The hut is at the bottom of the Notch so there is a mile hike down. It is situated around some pretty little lakes. 

Lake 1

Lake 2

A little further and I'm at the hut. It is an old stone structure housing the common room and kitchen. 

The main Hut

The common room

The kitchen 

There are two bunk houses housing  20 each. 

My bunk house

My bunk room and bunk

So the privy is new and has running cold water plus soap.  Really all the huts have this convenience. 

 Privy 

I've been seeing 3 NOBO, (north bound) hikers for several days now. They are very nice young people and I'm always glad to see them. 

From the left, Dirty Harry, Ice, and Soda

The interesting thing about ice is I met her last year Scout and Frodo's home.  She hiked the PCT last year and now she and Soda are hiking the AT. 

At 1830 hrs we all assembled in the common room for a delicious dinner. Pleasant hiking conversation was had by all. Another wonderful day in the Whites. 

Pinkham Notch

• Day:  136
• Start:  1855.4
• End:  1870.4
• Miles:  16
• Hours:  10
• High temp:  70
• Low temp:  36
• Thru Hikers met:  3

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 Lakes of the Clouds Hut

The best hut yet, the dining area has a wonderful view to the west.  I eat with my bunk mates, a group of 4 people about my age on vacation from Arizona. A very nice group.  The recent storm was the hot topic, my bunkmates tried to go 5 miles from one hut to Lakes of the Clouds. Joe the only male in the group was blown off the trail by a massive gust causing him to stike his head and ending up with a slight concussion.  All their gear was hanging in the bunkroom creating a wet boot smell.  So glad I didn't waste my day and miss all the beauty. 

The reception desk with the dining room

Right after breakfast I'm on the trail at 0730 hrs. My plan is to summit Mt Washington then hike out to Pinkham Notch. The morning is quiet and beautiful not very cold at all. 

The lakes of the cloud

Thankful it's a good day. 

The trail up is just rocks but this trail feels normal to me and I make good time.  

Looking back to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut

That's the Hut I just left 

360 view from Mt Washington on the south side just below the summit

Within an hour I'm on the summit and to my delight there are only 3 tourists here. 

It's the original restaurant 

Inside the original restaurant 

The dining room

Actually had to wear sunglasses today

360 view from the observation deck

The cog train platform 

On my way down

After enjoying the quiet summit all to myself I started my hike down. The trail is a rock hop for miles until the tree line. 

I see dark smoke to my left and realize cog trail is making its slow run up the mountain. I can hear the tapping of the cogs as they grip the teeth, I can smell the coal smoke used to fire the boiler. 

This machine is loud as it moves up the grade

A western view

Madison Spring Hut

I arrive at Madison Spring Hut at noon a perfect time to get a bowl of soup and refill my water bottle. There are many hikers sitting outside eating their lunch in the sunshine.  

Another very steep climb to Mt Madison and then the steep descent starts. 

360 view from Mt Madison

The descent takes more time because of the slow placement of my steps. After what seems like a great while I reach the timberline. Now I'm in a tree lined channel and these rocks are wet, I still can't move any faster.   The descent is 3113' no wonder it just keeps going on. I get to the bottom and have 5 miles to the Notch.  Now there are streams and the deeper lowland forest. 

A particularly nice waterfall. 

I reach the Joe Dodge Lodge in time for a shower and dinner.  Forcast rain again for tomorrow so I will probably stay. 

Joe Dodge Lodge

The AMC Visitor Center