[at-l] Hundred Mile Wilderness, Day 2

[ARTCLOUTMN@aol.com]

>8/3/99       8:30 AM  1/2 mile north of “North Pond Gravel Tote Road”
>
>   I visited the privy this morning at Leeman Brook Lean-to to discover the 
inside
>walls have been carefully papered.  There is a western theme with deer, 
antelope
>and riders on horseback.   
>   Our oatmeal breakfast followed by Lipton’s Vegetable Cup of Soup got us 
on the
>trail by 7:15 AM.  This was 15 minutes later than planned but we usually 
don’t
>make it out of camp until 8:00 AM.  A steady uphill hike over slate rocks 
with
>plenty of roots gives us plenty to negotiate.  We soon arrived and North 
Pond.
> The trail skirts the south and east edges of this pretty pond for a 
considerable
>distance - 1/2 mile +.  Very pretty pond with loons and some ducks.  The sky 
was
>cloudy until 10 minutes ago now things are clearing up.  Not  a cloud in the 
sky.
>
>   10:30 AM   Little Wilson Falls - a break
>This 60 ft water fall is one of the largest on the AT according to the guide 
book.
> The sides are slate with layers running almost verticle.  A large pool is 
at the
>bottom of the falls but it is not accessible from the trail.  we took our 
packs
>off for a long break and snack.  John is soaking his feet.  He washed his 
linner
>socks and will hang them on his pack to dry.  We approached the falls from 
the
>top and must now hike down to cross the stream that comes from the waterfall.
>   From North Pond to Little Wilson Falls the sun was shining in our eyes 
making
>it hard to see.  To make things worse, there are places where the forrest 
undergrowth
>is very sparse so you could easily get off the trail if you did not look for 
the
>white blazes.  Well we better packup before we get to used to sitting by 
these
>great falls.
>
>   2:00 PM  Big Wilson Stream Ford
>This would be a tough crossing with just a little bit more water but we made 
it
>over by taking very large steps on the rocks.  I was tired and hungry but 
still
>managed only dragging one foot slightly in the water.  We fortified 
ourselves with
>PB&J on tortillas.  To get here we had to cross a beaver dam then skirt a 
pond.
> Next we climbed onto a ridge.  On the way up the ridge we heard voices of 
hikers
>behind us.  Soon two young male hikers over took us.  The were also headed 
for
>Long Pond Stream Lean-to.  But they started hiking from Monson today.  So 
they
>will need to complete 15 miles where we will only hike 12 miles to make our 
schedule.
> We are carring 12 days worth of food.  That is about 25 pounds.  With 
clothing,
>stoves, tent,water,  etc.  my pack weighs about 55 pounds. The boys have 
scheduled
>two resupply points on logging roads that the trail crosses.  They are not 
carrying
>any tent.  Their packs are smaller.  They are hiking with much lighter packs 
which
>helps to make them faster.  But I never hike fast - and couldn’t if I wanted.
>
>   3:00 PM  Wilson Stream Lean-to
>Stopped by to sign the register.  A group of Outward Bound Hikers signed the 
register
>at noon today.  There are 14 of them plus counselors.  The shelters only 
hold six
>hikers.  They are also headed for Long Pond Stream Lean-to.  We considered 
staying
>here tonight but that would mean we would have to make up 4 miles sometime 
on our
>hike.  We already have planned too many big milage days so we will continue 
on
>toward Long Pond Stream Lean-to.
>
>   8:00 PM  Abandoned Logging Road west of Long Pond Stream.
>Most of the hike from 4:00 PM on was through thick underbrush.  If it were 
not
>for the white blazes we could have easily become lost.  
>   It was suppose to be down hill from Wilson Stream Lean-to but the trail 
passed
>through boulders, roots and numerous blowdowns.  It was great but much 
slower hiking
>than we had anticipated.  Realizing that the lean-to was going to be crowded 
we
>decided to make camp early.  This abandoned logging road is covered with 
well established
>grass.  We expect to be up early in the morning so...  There is a pool in 
the nearby
>stream suitable for swimming.  We both rinsed off the trail dust ans sweat 
before
>making our second delicious Lipton Dinner.  We are probably 1/2 mile away 
from
>Long Pond Stream Lean-to.
>
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