We did this hike on August 15, 2008.
We met our pilot Jim at 7:15 AM at Katahdin Air Service and we had a short but beautiful flight to a sand beach on Nahmakanta Lake.
Katahdin Air Service
Dragonfly
When Jim dropped us off, he told us that the trail was off to the left.
Dropped off at the wrong beach
The sand beach had a fire ring, picnic tables, and 2 very old privies. We followed the side trails from the beach but we were unable to find the AT.
We would up bushwacking for 2 hours and 4 minutes and still could not find the trail! We decided to regroup on the beach and look at the map again.
Regrouping
Maybe we were dropped off at the wrong location? Maybe there were 2 sand beaches? Dragonfly put on her water shoes and crossed Wadleigh stream and found another sand beach; this sand beach had side trail that led to the AT!
Crossing Wadeligh Stream
Shoe said "if you had only listened to me when I told you that the trail was over there!"
We stopped at the Wadleigh Stream Lean-to for a quick break and then started our climb up Nesuntabunt Mountain.
Ascending Nesuntabunt Mtn
The climb up the mountain was tough but fun. We stopped at the top of the mountain to take some pictures of Katahdin and eat lunch.
Python & Dirigo on Nesuntabunt Mtn
Dragonfly
This was the only sunny day of our entire trip.
We found a stealth camp near Pollywog Stream but we decided to push on since it was too early to stop for the day. We crossed over Pollywog Stream, passed a sign to the Nahmakanta Lake Camps, and when we reentered the woods we saw a single crutch propped up against a rock. We also saw another crutch as we climbed toward the lean-to.
We finally reached the Rainbow Stream Lean-to around 5:30 PM and Shoe affectionately dubbed this hike "The Death March." Shoe and Dragonfly stayed in the lean-to and Dirigo and I pitched our tent.
Shanty Town
We were all very tired and dirty so it was wonderful to sit in the stream and take a bath. We were the only ones at the lean-to that night (kind of eerie). We also found a crutch and a gas mask at the lean-to.
Gas mask & final crutch
We had a visitor in camp that night. Everyone said they thought the visitor was not a big as a bear or a moose but it was definitely bigger than a skunk or porcupine. Dragonfly swears that she heard something drinking from the stream during the night. The next morning we all saw cat prints in the mud. Maybe our visitor was a bobcat?
Oh, how I remember that day. It was great though. The beautiful views of Katahdin from the float plane, bushwhacking through the woods hunting for the trail, and of course the death march. I have come so far since then.
I think you wanted to strangle me that day for pushing onto the shelter! Isn’t funny how the hardest days on the trail are the most memorable?