McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 8/24/2024 | AT Mile 274.2 | Day Total: 12.6 miles | Gain: 5047 ft

Skinny pitch worked out fairly well. Walls were a bit sagged in but not bad at all. I meant to take a picture before I took down the tent but forgot to until it was nearly down.

Rock was a bit uncomfortable but pad helped. Overall sleep fairly well. There was quite a bit of condensation in the morning so tent was fairly wet packing up. Weathers looking nice for the day and I’m looking forward to some of the challenging terrain ahead. My throat is feeling a bit better this morning so I’m hopeful that the peak of the bug is over with.

I took my time getting ready this morning. I wasn’t planning on doing a ton of miles today, just some more technical stuff towards the end of the day. First thing I did when I woke up was stitch my right shoe for the second time. This time with dental floss. I spent nearly an hour stitching it as it was hard to push the needle through the rubber sole of my shoe. It’s not the prettiest but hopefully it will extend the life until my parents visit with new shoes.

As I was eating breakfast a chipmunk was circling me he keep on getting closer and closer then I would lunge towards it and it would skurry off. It was desperate for food.

My hike started with the Baldpate East Peak. The climb was entertaining as the mojority of it was on a rock table with little trees obstructing the views.

The peak had 360 views on a clear day like today. I wanna say I could see mt. Washington or one of the tall mountains in the Whites but not 100% sure

A sort distance away is Baldpate West Peak. I dipped into a valley where there was a small bog with some bog boards. I pushed my pole into one of them and it barely hit the bottom. I couldn’t imagine falling into that…

Another gorgeous climb up to Baldpate West Peak. There were a few ladders, some of which were crooked but climbable. The peak is mostly tree covered and I forgot to get a picture of the sign.

About this time I started to her a bunch of day hikers. It’s a Saturday after all and there a large trailhead with tons of parking on the other side of the mountain.

The hike down was technical but nothing too crazy. I stopped at the shelter’s trail entrance and filtered some water and did some trail laundry.

I ate lunch a little up from the big trailhead. There was a nice view marked on FarOut that I settled at. There was water .1 miles before so it was perfect. I was able to dry out off of my gear fairly well. Tents bone dry and rain gear is also. Trail laundered socks are nearly dry also.

A bunch of day hikers passed me while I ate lunch and a family with a young boy also stood by and were asking about the trail. They said another thru hiker said the boys trail name should be “Trail Runner”.

After a good hour of lunch and drying I continued my climb up. The views were good and took another extended break at another viewing and planned out my next few days. There was decent service here so I also messaged my family and did some other random things.

A little dip took me down to Speck Pond, one of the highest alpine lakes in Maine. It’s is also home to one of the first AMC ran shelters that cost a few bucks to stay at. I was able to grab some water from a small stream running under the rocks that entered the pond.

A little ascent brought me to the top of the Mahoosuc Arm. The Mahoosuc arm is one of the steepest miles on the AT. It mostly consists of large granite slabs that descend very steeply and a few rock scrambles. I’m glad I’m going down it on a dry day as if it were wet it would have been a bit more sketchy.

I got to the campsite right before the Mahoosuc Notch and there were a few nobos already set up. They had a fire going and we talked as I pitched my tent and got ready for the night. I ate dinner next to the fire and talked about what’s to come for me and them.

I’m heading to bed early tonight in hopes to hit the Mahoosuc Notch early tomorrow morning. My bug is getting better and my throat no longer hurts.