Yesterday evening and overnight the wind was blowing furiously. But in the morning the air was still and the sky clear. A beautiful day for hiking.
Before setting out to hike I visited Fort Relief. I'm a sucker for a privy joke.
The day started with a few lakes. Pemadumcook Lake was quite large and the trail just touched the shore. Next was Nahmakanta Lake which the trail actually followed the beach for a bit.
On Nesunabunt Mountain I saw my first moose! Boy they are awkward creatures. It was about 25m away and ran off quickly once it realized I was there.
It was on that same mountain got my first good clear view of Katahdin. Finally.
The trail then picked up Rainbow Stream and followed it for a few miles. It was flowing vigorously.
At Debsconeag Lake there was a campsite that I had planned on staying at. I arrived a little early and knew that tomorrow morning's forecast was thunderstorms. So I decided to push on, knowing it would be my longest day of hiking yet.
There was stunning view of Katahdin at Rainbow Ledges. Wouldn't have seen that in the rain.
Got all the way to Hurd Brook Lean-to. Had the place to myself. Interestingly, the floor was made of round stock rather than flat boards (the guide referred to this as a "baseball bat floor"). Not an issue with my inflatable sleeping pad.
Mosquitoes had been thick and bothersome all day. Here was no different, so I hung my tent as a bug net.
This was my last shelter of the trip.
