Day 137: Hike from Rt 15 to near Slugundy Falls (southernmost part of Hundred Mile Wilderness just north of Monson, ME)

Life may not always be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we should dance.

August 11, 2024
AT miles: 14.7 or 8.4, depending on whether or not you count the part of the ACT that was basically shut because of high water from Hurricane Debbie
Ascent: 1042’
Descent: 1592’
Weather: sunny and perfect
Sightings: one kangaroo mouse and lots of red squirrels
High points: The water everywhere

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Six of us from Virginia are tackling the Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine, the most isolated part of the Trail. I am getting off at about the halfway point because I hiked the northern half in 2021.

After a wonderful breakfast at Shaw’s Hiker Hostel, the six of us took a shuttle to where the AT officially enters the Hundred Mile Wilderness.

 Within minutes we heard a loon and saw a red squirrel!

We had a glorious eight mile hike with lots of roots and mud and pine forest and waterfalls.

There was water everywhere — ponds, rivers, and, of course, mud on the trail.

So much water!

We walked up to Little Wilson Falls, which are not so little – 60 feet high! I didn’t get a great view, but I had a wonderful snack at the top of them, watching the water whoosh over the granite.

There was the cutest little mouse, scurrying about looking for crumbs that hungry hikers have dropped.

Hurricane Debbie passed through only two days ago, so we were told the rivers were running quite high. We decided to shuttle around three of the more hair-raising river crossings, so at the end of 8 miles we left the AT and walked a mile and a half down a blue blaze trail and met a shuttle that drove us 8 miles further up the trail.

The drive was down seriously muddy, pitted rocky dirt roads. I am so glad that my car was not the one being banged around!

The access trail back to the AT was pure mud. We had to go so far off-trail to avoid the mud that I began to think that we would get lost just trying not to sink in the mud!

Shortly after we rejoined the AT we found some campsites along Long Pond Stream at Slugundy Falls. The campsite was absolutely gorgeous, right on the rushing river. I can see white water from my tent.

Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!