Upon entering…..the 100 mile wilderness!
The 100 mile wilderness, which actually falls just shy of 100 miles, is a section of the Appalachian Trail in Maine that starts in Monson, and ends on Abol Bridge, which is just outside of Baxter State Park. Signs, like the one pictured about, are posted on either end of the 100 mile wilderness, warning the inexperienced to stay away. The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Guide warns that this can be an exaggeration of the true difficulty of the 100 mile wilderness, and that there are in fact resupply points within the wilderness that are relatively easy to access.
After doing this trip I can say a few things about the difficulty and access within the 100 mile wilderness. On the difficulty, this section can really be broken up into two sections, the moderate ups and downs of the first 45 miles (approximate distance from Monson to Whitecap Mountain), and the easier, flatter 50 miles that remain to reach Abol Bridge. While the first 45 miles holds great views from peaks such as the Barren Ledges, Fourth Mountain, and Whitecap Mountain (the highest peak in the 100 mile wilderness), the flatter, easier latter half of the wilderness still holds many beautiful sights, walking through pine beds and along beautiful streams flowing pleasantly through the Maine woods (not to mention the call of the Wood Thrush).
Beautiful view on a gorgeous day from Whitecap Mtn.
Now for the duration of this trip… When I decided to hike this section, I was on a time crunch from the get go. My father invited Lauren and me to join he and some friends to climb Katahdin on Saturday July 14. I thought “great, I’ve got some time off work, why not start the 100 mile wilderness now and meet them there to hike it!” This time off of work began the weekend before, so my genius plan for this dramatic approach would require me to start on Sunday July 8, and be out on Abol Bridge by Friday July 13. I started the hike at 12pm that Sunday, putting in a quick 15 miles by 7:30 that night. The next day, still feeling relatively fresh, I pushed through some of the larger vertical gains that would arise consecutively on the trip, going over Barren Ledges, Barren Mtn,, Fourth Mtn., Third Mt., Columbus Mtn., and Chairback Mtn. By the end of this 16 mile day I was pretty shot, so I camped next to a beautiful river that I would ford the next morning. My third day out was the largest test of my hiking stamina, with an approach to Gulf Hagas Mtn. on a hungry, aching belly (there is no amount of food I can carry backpacking to satisfy my hunger)! I had hit Whitecap Mtn. by mid-afternoon, which gave me a good descent to take my time and put in some easier miles to round off with a 14 mile day. The next morning my legs seemed to wake up and say “hey Sean, lets put in some REAL miles today”. unfortunately my feet did not agree with this, but they managed to make it through the easy going 20 mile day. Being subject to a serious time crunch, the next day was no better for mileage, in fact, it was more! With a cruise of a morning, and some throbbing feet by night, I was able to put in a 22 mile day, eating my dinner at a shelter, and continuing to a campsite which I reached later that night. The 22 mile day set me up very nicely for a casual exit of the 100 mile wilderness the next day, only having to put in 11 miles to reach Abol Bridge (with plenty of time to inhale a sandwich and some ice cream at the Abol Bridge store before my parents and Lauren showed up).
As far as the access that I mention in reference to the Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers Guide is concerned, the bottom line is that no hike should be underestimated, even a day hike. You should always be prepared and know what you are setting out for, and be comfortable with your experience level before taking on any challenge. The 100 mile wilderness does have some points of access (various logging roads that cross the trail, and The White House Landing), but you should not plan on relying on these unless you have made plans before hand. Know how much you will eat in those days, and bring the gear necessary for any long backpacking trip.
Sign at Abol Bridge, same as the one in Monson!
While I still enjoyed myself (even though I was too beat up to hike Katahdin the next day), this trip is worth taking two or so more days to do, it is a strikingly beautiful section of the trail, even by Maine standards, and hiking at your own pace is ALWAYS the best way to hike. As I mentioned, I didn’t get to hike Katahdin the next day but I was able to hike up a nice blue blazed trail with my parents and Lauren to a spot called “Blueberry Ledges”, it was a nice relaxing afternoon and a gorgeous hike with some wonderful people.
Stay tuned for my next post describing some of the gear I used on this trip, and the gear I generally take on long distance backpacking trips. I may even throw in some good backpacking recipes 🙂
Lauren and me
Keep on the sunny side!
Sunny Side Out 