August 19, 2013
Sidney Tappan Campsite to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to.
I got up this morning at 6:15. At 7:15 Condor walked by. The trail went through where we camped. He asked about the water source. We told him there was a spring 200 yards down a side trail. He came back a little later and said he heard a moose splashing in the water and making snorting sounds. He said he didn't stay around to try to see him. I grabbed my camera and phone, and said I'm going moose hunting. B-Rocket said wait for me, as she got her phone. We went slowly down to the spring, in hopes of seeing our first moose. No luck, the moose was gone.
I got up this morning at 6:15. At 7:15 Condor walked by. The trail went through where we camped. He asked about the water source. We told him there was a spring 200 yards down a side trail. He came back a little later and said he heard a moose splashing in the water and making snorting sounds. He said he didn't stay around to try to see him. I grabbed my camera and phone, and said I'm going moose hunting. B-Rocket said wait for me, as she got her phone. We went slowly down to the spring, in hopes of seeing our first moose. No luck, the moose was gone.
We started hiking at 7:45. We had three ups to start our day. First was 700 ft. over West Peak, second was 300 ft. over Hay Mountain, and third was 650 ft. over White Cap Mountain. The trail overall was in very good shape. There were large sections of the ups that had rock steps. They weren't like the rock steps you'd see in someone's backyard, but they were still steps, which made going up much easier. The Maine trail crew does a great job of taking care of the trail here.
From the top of White Cap Mountain we were able to see Mt. Katahdin. It's the first time we have been able to see it. The sky was a little hazy, but we could definitely see it. It's been the long term goal since starting this hike. I didn't think about it much before reaching Maine, it was just too far away. Now it's within sight. In four days, weather permitting, I plan to summit Mt. Katahdin.
We saw a male grouse today. He stood a few feet from the trail as we walked by.
We stopped for a lunch break at East Branch Lean-to. There was one sobo and one section hiker. After lunch we crossed the East Branch of Pleasant River. It was a pretty strong stream, but there were enough big rocks across the stream that we were able to stay dry.
When we reached the gravel road called Kokadjo-B Pond Road, we were to get our food drop. The people at the Lakeshore House in Monson will deliver your food in a five gallon bucket. We were told to look for a pink ribbon and then from that point go twenty yards into the woods. Our food was there! We sat at the road eating for several minutes. We had both ate pretty much everything we had been carrying. We were glad to get the resupply, even though our backpacks are a lot heavier now.
We only had four miles to reach the shelter. There's a nice stream in front of the shelter and a water falls 100 ft. up stream. The sound of a stream or falls is great for sleeping.
There are three nobo's besides B-Rocket and me. There's Condor, Long Trail and Jackpot. I met Long Trail yesterday for the first time. This is my first time meeting Jackpot. He started May 15. He's doing 20-25 miles per day. He's flying! He goes to Columbia University, he has one more year to go.
Jackpot at Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Great going!
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