August 27: The thing about getting into camp early,you can get back on the trail early. We were hiking by 6:30. The weather had dried out a bit; the only dampness on the tents was from condensation on the inside of the rainfly. So that was good, since I never like carrying a wet tent.
The terrain started out flat but rocky. We had a number of streams to cross that the guidebook reported we'd have to ford. By this late in the summer, we were rock hopping across or, in a couple instances, walking over dry stream beds. We had a steep climb, and reached a road with some spectacular views!
The terrain started out flat but rocky. We had a number of streams to cross that the guidebook reported we'd have to ford. By this late in the summer, we were rock hopping across or, in a couple instances, walking over dry stream beds. We had a steep climb, and reached a road with some spectacular views!
There was another climb on the other side of the road- some terrain, some rock steps. We once again passed an Outward Bound group who had stopped and were eating in the middle of the trail! Seriously? You guys can't find a rock or a log or something to sit on and eat your reconstituted hummus? It's weird. I did an Outward Bound years ago and the guide had crazy outdoor skills! We'd have never sat down in the middle of a trail to eat. I love Outward Bound. But they seem to be lacking in some trail etiquitte in Maine.
Then we had a steep descent down some stone steps and what I can only describe as a root maze before things flattened out. I mean really flattened out. Flat pine needle carpeted forest path walking. It was wonderful!
We arrived at a sandy beach close to the shelter that Carbon had been shooting for. There was even a picnic table! So we sat down for a snack. It was still a little chilly- we opted to just look at the lake -- but wow! What a picturesque spot. It would be wonderful on a warm day.
Then we had a steep descent down some stone steps and what I can only describe as a root maze before things flattened out. I mean really flattened out. Flat pine needle carpeted forest path walking. It was wonderful!
We arrived at a sandy beach close to the shelter that Carbon had been shooting for. There was even a picnic table! So we sat down for a snack. It was still a little chilly- we opted to just look at the lake -- but wow! What a picturesque spot. It would be wonderful on a warm day.
After the sandy beach, the terrain alternated between flat dirt wonderfulness, and root mazes. Those roots are always looking to trip you up. The temperature steadily climbed through the day; by the time we stopped for lunch, I was feeling a bit hot and sticky. I wished that sandy beach had followed us down the trail! Luckily, we reached the road to Rangeley at 2:30- plenty of time to get into town and get settled.
We caught a ride in from Dan, who owned a bare bones hiker hostel near the trail, but we opted to go to the Town and Lake Inn. They had a descent hiker discount and a lovely spot. Subaru took the first shower while I ran out and jumped in the lake!
We caught a ride in from Dan, who owned a bare bones hiker hostel near the trail, but we opted to go to the Town and Lake Inn. They had a descent hiker discount and a lovely spot. Subaru took the first shower while I ran out and jumped in the lake!
Not too shabby a spot!
After we got cleaned up and settled, we went across the street to a barbecue place for lunch and then walked around town. It was a nice little town, pretty touristy with lots of restaurants and stores for dropping large sums of money on things you don't need. We located the library and utilized it for its free wi-fi and then went back to lounge in the room. Since we had already decided that we were going to take a zero day in Rangely, there was no need to run around doing laundry and resupplying today. We just chilled. We ate an ice cream and looked at the ducks and later had a late dinner. We ran into So Way who came up with some strange story about how he was going to do a 60 mile hike tomorrow to meet somebody and drive their car down to Virginia. I think his plan was half baked. Good luck with that. I'm zeroing tomorrow!
After we got cleaned up and settled, we went across the street to a barbecue place for lunch and then walked around town. It was a nice little town, pretty touristy with lots of restaurants and stores for dropping large sums of money on things you don't need. We located the library and utilized it for its free wi-fi and then went back to lounge in the room. Since we had already decided that we were going to take a zero day in Rangely, there was no need to run around doing laundry and resupplying today. We just chilled. We ate an ice cream and looked at the ducks and later had a late dinner. We ran into So Way who came up with some strange story about how he was going to do a 60 mile hike tomorrow to meet somebody and drive their car down to Virginia. I think his plan was half baked. Good luck with that. I'm zeroing tomorrow!
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