AT Day 156: Rainbow Lake to Abol Bridge

Daily Miles: 9.1, Total Miles: 2,182.3

Warm evening but cooled off a bit early in the morning. The loons gave a rousing concert last night singing and crying every song they knew – repeatedly. Just beautiful and seemed fitting for my last night on a Maine lake near the end of my AT hike. Happy to have a dry night and only a few clouds in the morning.

Heat, humidity and annoying gnats, skeeters and black flies from the get go. I took my early morning pics across Rainbow Lake and then quickly reached the north end of the lake.

I climbed 500 vertical feet to Rainbow Ledges, a partially exposed dome of granite with views of Mt Katahdin to the north and White Cap Mountain to the south. I had two bars so called Mrs. Haze after almost finishing the 100-Mile-Wilderness. She’s leaving NH tomorrow and heading to Maine for the long-awaited rendezvous. While in NH, she took a day-hike on the AT at Pinkham Notch and took the Cog Railway to the top of Mt Washington.

Rainbow Ledges with upcoming Mt Katahdin

I met several SOBO hikers, all giving me premature but nice congrats for being so close to the end. I arrived at Abol Bridge over the West Branch Penobscot River just outside the boundary of Baxter State Park.

I stopped into the Abol Bridge CG and General Store and asked if they had cabins. They have bunk cabins that sleep up to six, same price, $75, regardless of number of people up to six. There’s also a washer and dryer, showers and the small store. The restaurant is not opening this season and no phone service or Wifi to be had.

I had checked the weather report while at Rainbow Ledges. Rain coming tonight, forecast for 2″ of rain tomorrow, lighter rain on Friday and clearing on Saturday. So the plan is to get a cabin, hang out, rest and watch the rain come down tomorrow. Hike in on Friday about ten miles to The Birches, a small thru-hiker CG near Katahdin Stream. Ascend Mt Katahdin for the official finish and descend on Saturday, get a hitch down to the Visitors Center and meet Mrs. Haze and Ellie. Can’t wait!

I bought a few snacks to tide me over the last few days. Even had Chef Boyardee Spaghetti & Meatballs for a late lunch (first time since I was a kiddo). Added two scoops of ice cream in the afternoon and a roast beef sandwich and chips for dinner topped off with Oreos.