Blog

After descending for two miles, something marvelous happened: The trail improved dramatically. Instead of roots and rocks, the tread was smooth and duffy (see photo). I wondered if I had taken another trail, but the white blazes showed I was on the AT. I dined on peanut butter for lunch at Cooped Brook then continued gradually downhill to Cooper Brook Lean-to.

The trail grade moderated such that I could actually hike rather than picking my way around rocks and over roots. I passed by a small waterfall (see photo) and continued downhill following a stream. By and by, the sun came out for a while then retreated. The last part of the day followed a wide, well-used trail that tourists used to see a large waterfall.

The trail climbed 1,100 feet, leveled off, then climbed another 600 feet to Barn Mountain. Onward we hiked to the turnoff towards Cloud Pond Cloud Lean-to, before dropping to the Fourth Mountain Bog where I found carnivorous pitcher plants (see photo).

Yesterday’s rain created poor hiking conditions with wet roots and rocks. I walked with extra care to avoid falling. Aside from the wet conditions, hiking wasn’t exhausting, with no extended climbs and descents. I waded two more streams safely and rock-hopped one. The AT passed by several ponds and ran several times along bedrock ridges with blueberries begging to be picked.