Monson, ME to Baxter State Park

Day 1, Friday, September 1

Monson, Maine to Wilson Valley Lean-to, 13.7 miles

The cabin is cool when I get up this morning at 6:15 AM. I shower and finish packing up my gear. Gordon and Mary are already up and getting ready to drive me to Monson and the trail this morning. I’m ready to leave by 6:45 AM. We make a quick stop at McDonald’s for breakfast and in no time we are driving through Monson and out by Lake Hebron on the way back to the blue-blazed trail that connects back to the AT. By 7:45 AM I’m pulling my pack out the trunk of the car and getting ready to head into the woods.

I say my goodbyes for a week and duck into the woods. The first miles are easy and pass quickly. I reach the road crossing north of town at 9:20 AM. It is s bright sunny morning. Great to be in the woods, and even better to be on the trail.

I reach the first shelter at 11 AM but I keep hiking. It is a nice hike without a lot of elevation change.

I pass three section-hikers at the Big Wilson Stream crossing. I try out my new water shoes on the crossing and they work great. The water isn’t too deep, just mid-shin, and feels refreshing on this warm afternoon. There is a short climb up the mountain to the Wilson Valley Lean-to which I reach by 4 PM.

I get water to cook supper and that’s when I discover my first problem of the hike. The fuel canister that I purchased in Waterville doesn’t have the correct fitting for my stove. I thought all of these canisters had the same fittings, but evidentially not. The section-hikers offer me their Whisperlite to cook supper and I gladly accept. They are only out for the weekend and have a full fuel bottle, so there is plenty to spare. I cook some rice for dinner.

To bed by 7 PM with the shelter to myself. The group of three camps below the shelter.