AT Day 145: Flagstaff, Carry & Pierce Ponds

Daily Miles: 16.4, Total Miles: 2,042.0

After a great sleep and breakfast at the Hostel of Maine, I got a shuttle back out to East Flagstaff Road to continue north. Overcast day and hoping the rain would hold off.

More gentle gradient on the trail today. First along the shores of Flagstaff Lake then West Carry Pond where I heard my first eerie, beautiful loon call on the AT. Benedict Arnold, leading a small army group, crossed this pond in 1775 on the way to attach Quebec.

More loon calls on East Carry Pond where it started raining. First lightly, then a steady rain all afternoon into the evening. I took one fall after losing my footing in the slick mud.

Got to Pierce Pond and the shelter about 5pm and got out of the rain and put on dry clothes. I was joined my two young ladies cooking dinner for a summer camp backpacking group of eight 13-14 yr old girls who later crowded into the small shelter. We all ate dinner together. Very noisy, but fun – they are tenting nearby.

Still raining at 7pm and now seem to have the shelter to myself. Hopefully no mice tonight. New bird today: Common Loon.