[at-l] Quick report on Baxter Trip.

[Snodrog5@aol.com (Snodrog5@aol.com)]

 Saw just one other hiker all weekend!
 The river at Abol Bridge is pretty low, (last year on this weekend it was 
out of it's banks, flooding the campground, washing out footbridges, and 
drowning the AT) there's snow cover on Katahdin above treeline, the AT into 
Hurd Brook has a few inches of snow on it still, Hurd Brook is low, 
rockhopped across dryfooted, there's snow in patches in the woods still, the 
AT north from Abol Stream into Baxter is high and dry as it follows along the 
river bank, crossed brooks without getting my boots wet as far as where the 
trail turns up away from the river. Less snow on the mountain, and lower 
water levels than when I was last up in January. Tented up on the ledges past 
the Hurd Brook lean-to, only got down to 35 Friday night, slept in the open 
Saturday night, 45 at the coldest I think. Ice in most of the lakes and ponds 
still. Air so clear you could see the summit sign on Baxter Peak with binocs.
 The Aurora twinkeld yellow-gold-white for a while about 3AM Saturday.
 The gate to Baxter is still closed. The Rangers say the perimeter road is in 
good shape, but won't open until May. Last year it was open all the way to 
Katahdin Stream Campground on Earth Day. Saw 40 deer, heard some Coyotes, saw 
one scruffy Moose. The hares are brown again. Birds of note: Piliated 
Woodpeckers, Osprey, Ravens, Crossbills, Waxwings, Song Sparrows, Red Tails 
and Broadwings, Kingfishers, both nuthatches, Veerys, many different ducks, 
lots of warblers, flycatchers, and lbjs. Camp Jays stopped by for handouts 
once. 
  Had a PO, BO, ZO in the sunshine along the river- woke up almost two hours 
later! <g>
  Weighed sleeping bags at LLBean's on the way north. One style varied EIGHT 
ounces from bag to bag! The salesgirl said the weather was going to be nice, 
and that I probably wouldn't need the 10 degree bag I was looking at. I 
agreed, skipped the new bag and bought some books. Good move.
  Gossip at the AT Cafe about wolf and cougar sightings this winter. The wolf 
hit in Jackman last fall wasn't 'wild', foot pads, teeth, and coat too clean 
they say. 
  Took some digital pictures of Katahdin, some are real nice! Anyone needing 
new computer 'wallpaper' or just wants to see, send me an email and I'll zap 
you a picture or two.
  Great trip!
TJ


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