ABOL PINES

AT Day 105: Friday,  July 21, 2023

Pollywog Stream Campsite – Abol Pines Campground

Mile 2165.8 – 2183.4

Distance Hiked – 17.6 miles/28 km

Total Distance Hiked: 1760.4 / 2832km 

A: 1960 ft /598 m D: 2040 ft / 622m

Shafts of sunlight illuminated the canopy up above us and it was already warm and humid when we left camp at 6:00 a.m.

From our campsite we followed Rainbow Stream for a couple of miles. The stream was roaring as it race downhill especially where the creek channel narrowed.  Thundering sound of rushing water makes my heart race, even though I know we won’t need to cross it till way upstream. 

It was so nice to leave the roar of the creek behind and deviate into the woods. I could  hear the birds singing.  Deep shafts of sunlight were penetrating into the forest floor. It all looked so beautiful, especially when we reached Rainbow Lake. It was beautiful and peaceful lakeside  hiking despite needing to the rock hop through long sections of boggy trail.  

The five miles along Rainbow Lake started nice and then the numbers of mosquitos and black flies intensified. It was particularly trying with the black flies getting in my eyes and ears. Hammer recons he didn’t have too many problems with them. I don’t know if he was trying to be zen and not let it bother him. 

Rising to the Rainbow Ledges provided a bit of a breeze and respite from the insect nuisance. We stopped here for lunch and Hammer grazed on the ripe blueberries. The first we’ve seen on trail. 

We had only six miles from the ledges to Abol Bridge. Maybe because we were so close to the end of the Hundred Miles Wilderness that the afternoon seem to really drag on. The trail undulated and each slight uphill felt like a hurdle. 

We got in to the Abol Pines campground about 4pm. We got some food from the store across the road, set up camp and rested. Rain and some thunderstorm activity is predicted for tomorrow. Not ideal conditions, but at least it won’t be cold.