McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 8/13/2024 | AT Mile 111.7 | Day Total: 12.1 miles | Gain: 2461 ft

Packed up camp by 7:30 then waited for the rest of the crew to get ready. Washed my shirt this morning while I waited, nice and fresh for the sweaty day ahead.

Started the day off well and passed the sobo 100 mile marker! This means that we’ve come 100 miles from the top of Katahdin, not including the climb up.

Early on we came across one of many water crossing for the day. Nathan and Cole found a way across with dry feet but the rest of us decided to take the safe, but wet, route. Noah had the good idea to take our socks and insoles out of our shoes to help them dry faster afterwards.

We don’t climb up a super tall mountain today just smaller short peaks that add up. It was a warmer day today, could definitely feel the sweat dripping off my face during some of the climbs.

Another stream crossing a little before lunch. The water wasn’t flowing nearly as fast and was shallow so we did it barefoot with no problems. The streams cool you off and we take breaks after each one to let our feet air dry before plunging back into our shoes.

Lots of talk today about food and Monson. Everyone’s looking forward to the short 3mile day tomorrow morning, and some really good gas station pizza and fries that Noah and Maddy keep talking about.

We ate lunch on Big Wilson Cliffs. The view was good but we could see a haze of smoke in the air. I ate two almond butter wraps along with trail mix, and jerky. We hid on the trail from the sun.

Another stream crossing took Cole’s dry feet away today, he slipped and got his shoes soaked and shorts a bit wet. Everyone else got across with some patience, most with dry feet. This stream is what prevented most hikers from entering the 100 mile wilderness a few days ago because of the surge of rain from Hurricane Debby. Story is that a hiker lost nearly everything, including all their electronics trying to ford it. They had to go back to Bangor where the nearest large town was to get a new phone etc. No injuries were reported.

The highlight of the day was the not so little “Little Wilson Falls”. It’s a geometric appearing 60 ft waterfall that takes your breath away. It a popular day hike and instagram photo spot it seems. We keep our distance as we have 9 days worth of stink surrounding us.

Cole took a fully clothed bath at the top because he figured he’s already wet from the previous crossing. Going to keep an eye out for the day hikers instagram post with a bum in the background taking a bath. While Cole was bathing, we filtered from a conveniently placed spring the spilled into top of the falls and had a few snacks. One of the day hikers offered us an orange and Noah happy jumped on the offer.

Lots of little up and downs after the falls. We also ran into a few ponds, some seemed to be damed by beavers. Bog boards were also common near the ponds. Maddy took a nasty plunge off a bog board today knee high. We did our best to laugh it off.

Tent options at the past few shelters haven’t been the greatest and today shelter was no exception. Tucked back by the privy there were a few tolerable spots that we pitched at. My heads a bit elevated which is nice at the moment but I’m hoping that my pad doesn’t slide down and put pressure on the edge of my tent.

We had our last dinner before Monson. I had knorr pasta sides and some other random foods that I have left in my bag. We were all tucked in our tents and feed by 7pm. The bugs are plentiful here and the tent keeps them away.

Looking forward to a nero (near zero mile day) to Shaws tomorrow. I could really use a shower and some laundry.