HUNDRED MILE WILDERNESS

AT Day 101: Monday,  July 17, 2023

Mile 2083.7 – 2104.1 

Monson – Campsite

Distance Hiked – 21.3 miles/34.3 km

Total Distance Hiked:1680.8 miles / 2704 km

A: 4708 ft / 1436 m D:3990 ft / 1217 m

Monson is a cute artsy town in the middle of a lakeside wilderness. It was pouring with rain when we arrived on Sunday. From Bangor, we were given a ride by Gomer Pyle a retired Lt Colonel from the US Marines who hiked the AT trail in 2018. What life stories he shared, what a privilege to share an hour and a half with him. 

This morning we had a huge breakfast  and got a ride to the trailhead around 8.30. With yesterday’s rain the creek crossings in the 100 mile wilderness could be a challenge. We had so much useful information from the AT Conservancy office in Monson  that we felt confident to head out. 

It felt good to be out hiking. It was warm and very humid. We had a day of sunshine ahead and no threat of rain. 

The trail was wet and muddy in parts from yesterday’s rain. The predominant surface underfoot was tree roots and rocks. It was slow going with a couple of early  creek crossings which gave us a taste of what was to come. We were advised at the ATC office yesterday to assess our comfort level with creek crossings and we were given alternative routes for the likely problematic creeks. 

The  Little Wilson Waterfall was thundering when we approached. There is a huge amount of water coming down the creeks. So we did road walk alternative for the Little Wilson and the Big Wilson Creeks. The road walk alternative was pretty much the same distance as the trail.  

It was disheartening to be passed by four hikers on a steep road walking in full sun. We were walking and they were getting a ride in the back of a pick up truck. We were carrying 6 days of food which really weighed us down. We hiked pretty much all day without stopping. The huge breakfast provided enough energy to keep us going. It could also be fresh legs from 3 days off trail.  

Barren Ledges and Barren Mountain provided great views of lush green landscape with lots of lakes. 

A steep descent towards the end of the day tested our  mettle. It was after 7pm when we found a slopey and rooty campsite by a creek. The proximity to the creek was great as we could rinse our muddy socks and shoes. Ready for more mud tomorrow