We made it to our 14th and final state, Maine, on August 11th. It's wild and beautiful, with lots of ponds and lakes, and very tough terrain still. We passed through Mahoosuc Notch, a mile long section of jumbled rocks and boulders called the toughest mile on the AT. I don't know if it's the toughest, but it certainly was slow going, under and over huge boulders.
We had several days of rain that turned the trails to swamps and dampened our gear and spirits and hid great views on Saddleback and Sugarloaf mountains. Now we are drying out in Stratton, ME.
Indian Pipes
Leaving NH, on a rainy day
The state border between NH and Maine
Goose Eye Mtn, East Peak
Goose Eye Mtn, looking toward Old Speck, which we climb the next day.
Mahoosuc Notch, 'The toughest mile on the AT'
Over and under large jumbled boulders in Mahoosuc Notch
We prefer climbing over to crawling under boulders
Making our way slowly through Mahoosuc Notch
Looking back on South Baldpate from North Baldpate
Early morning on North Baldpate
First hikers of the day on North Baldpate, looking at the valley fog below
Not a stream, unfortunately... that's our trail after 2 and a half days of rain.
Foggy views, but improving, coming down from Sugarloaf Mtn
Drying out our gear at our motel in Stratton, ME
3 Bear motel
