Date: 8/17/04
Starting Location: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Destination: Abol Bridge
Miles: 15.0
Total Miles: 2167.8
The dwindling miles that now separate me from Katahdin have been matched by a dwindling pace. My energy has slowly waned over the course of the past month, having long since consumed what fat reserves I had, so the leisurely pace has been a welcome change. It also has felt like a natural winding down of the hike, allowing each moment to stretch to its maximum.
Up and over ledges of granite, rife with deliciously plump blueberries, we took our time ambling through the final stretch of the 100-mile wilderness before emerging at the road to Abol Bridge. There the iconic view of Katahdin rose before us, it’s massive scale dwarfing the Maine wilderness that surrounds it. Having stood on its summit twice before in miserably cloudy conditions, my mind wandered to the possibility of crowning this great hike with a sunny celebration in two short days. Hopefully the perfect summer weather will hold out just a little longer.
In tonight at the campground across the road from the Abol Bridge store, relaxing on the shore of the West Branch of the Penobscot River.
