Read Part 1…HERE

I’m worried that the previous day’s “hike-a-bike” stole a good amount of today’s “hike-with-no-bike” energy.

But, I’m not down or wussing out on the range traverse today.   

Luck, Karma, or really my own stupidity are challenging me.  I’m going for it even if it takes until sundown.

Stage 2 right? Can’t let the Stage 1 victory yesterday be for nothing.

Light and ready is the feeling after making breakfast and loading the bike.

This East to West Traverse starts from the Little Bigelow Trailhead right on East Flagstaff Road.

It’s about a 4 mile – 20 minute pedal from Round Barn Campsite.

Navigation couldn’t be easier for the hike.  Just follow the White Blazes marking the Appalachian Trail (AT) for 12 miles or so then right turn on the Range Trail (Blue Blazes) for the last 5.

I have a map and compass just in case I zone out and miss that one turn.  After fumbling obvious details yesterday, my assumptions and planning cannot be trusted.

Here we are – Intersection of East Flagstaff Road and the Appalachian Trail:

Hey this is pretty easy thoughts flow through my mind on the flat trail to gentle climbs of the first miles.  I grin subtly about the grind yesterday to get me here today.

Yeah – that happened is all I can conclude.  Time to enjoy some present moments.

And I do with the first peek over the treetops.

A little further up Little Bigelow and the Carrabasset Valley reveals to the left…

Fully energized, I can’t wait to top out at Avery Peak (4100 feet) for a 360 saturated view of it all.

With no auto road or escalator to the summit…This is WORK. 

It takes a good hour or so of Ups.  I suffer a little with this.  The biofuel burned and maximum effort during Stage 1 yesterday are evident.

It’s all of no consequence though.  Without any Hardships along the way this adventure wouldn’t deposit itself into the fond and rewarding bin of my memory bank.

AND!!! Compared to yesterday?  This is a cake walk without a loaded bike in tow.

1/2 mile later and fully above the treetops, any lingering angst disappears.

I’m rewarded and hypnotized by the endless open lands of North Western Maine.

The moment envelops me. 

This is it. This is the why. This is the GOOD STUFF!

FLAGSTAFF LAKE

I madly laugh out loud trying to grasp the surreal-ness over the last day of my life.

About 17 hours ago I was rummaging around right there in those woods with a bike. Mildly anxious and trapped in the wilderness void between the lake and this summit.

ITS115 snowmobile route – I’ll never forget you.

Right now, I’m savoring the lesson. Just keep moving forward and good things will happen.

Fully awestruck with what I’m looking at. My head pans back and forth. Eyes wide open to drink it all in.

I feel like Jodie Foster in the movie Contact….

“No–no words. No words to describe it. Poetry! They should’ve sent a poet. So beautiful. So beautiful… I had no idea.”

https://youtu.be/fIthJ8FV2mk

No need to search for a better lunch spot. Obviously, there won’t be a better opportunity than this. I strip off my pack, plop down, and get out the to go order of Peanut Butter Pro bar and trail mix.

20 minutes and 300 calories consumed later I’m back on my feet….8.4 miles to go…

The AT next goes between “The Horns” – Two almost identical peaks on each side of the trail and a total novelty to experience.

At the saddle between the Horns I’m almost 6 hours imbedded into this traverse and starting to “feel it”.

C’mon legs hang in there is what I think looking back to Bigelow Mountain and the rest of the range running up to it. All of it hiked to get here.

On the descent from the Horns I start crossing paths with AT Thru Hikers – People who are hiking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail South to North. They started at Springer Mountain in Georgia 2,011 miles ago.

This simultaneously humbles and motivates me. These people have been hiking almost every day for the last 3-to-5 months depending on their daily mileage. Mount Katahdin and the end of the AT is another 183 miles away so they’re close.

AND! They are also doing the Bigelow Range Traverse today with a 20-to-35-pound pack. Just a regular “no biggie” day for them on the trail.

I send all this information from my brain to my legs, so they’ll stop complaining.

This works……

…..for about 5 minutes 😦

Soon after I get to the one turn I’ve been focused in on not missing. The one piece of navigation that requires attention.

Yeah, feelin’ IT for sure climbing up what feels LIKE an empty elevator shaft to Cranberry Peak.

But at the peak I sit and take a long look back. The Horns, Avery Peak, Flagstaff Lake are fading to the distance.

I’ve definitely done good work to get here….

Just a few miles to go.

I’m not suffering but having trouble taking in the ambient (warm) water in my hydration pack. It’s not that hot out.

However, I’ve noticed on my last couple mountain adventures that when the temps and humidity are on the warm side I get to a kind of water bonk around the 7-to-8-hour mark. It’s becomes hard to drink even though I’m thirsty.

mmmmm, need to work this one out.

It really doesn’t matter though. A couple more miles to go that I actually run – And run well (only ’cause they’re downhill and I’m restless to finish).

FINALLY!!!

I open all the windows in the car to air it out while changing out of my now sweat soaked trail kit.

Off to the local convenience store for COLD lemonade which goes down much better than the warm water.

Dinner and celebration beers are secured for later.

I get them in the cooler back at the campground.

Then take a well-earned swim-bath in the clear mountain waters of Flagstaff Lake at my own little beach.

Time to sit and reflect in equal parts relief and satisfaction as the sun sets.

Now that was an adventure 🙂