Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Start: Baldhead lean-to
End: Percy Rd Lodge & Campground
Miles: 21.6
Elevation gain/loss: 3825’/5991′
I was awake at 5:50am and packed up and on trail by 6:30am. Powerline got up when I did and was mostly ready to go when I headed out. I figure he started not long after I did, but I didn’t see him again that day.
I made the next shelter by 11am (seeing some very fresh bear tracks along the way) and met up with the two hikers from last night – Turkey Tail and Berry Gobbler. They’d camped out halfway between the two shelters, so I was making a much faster pace than them. We chatted for a while as I ate snacks and then I pushed on.
Some parts of the day felt like a slog but it slowly started to feel more like the White Mountains. The trail was smoothing out a bit and it didn’t rain at all, so things were starting to dry out (except for the terribly marshy areas… I’m tired of soaking wet feet). I even saw moose a mile or two shy of the Percy Loop tentsite! For the last 3-4 miles, I was traveling through beautiful green moss which made me feel more at home.
I happily arrived at the lodge by 4pm, where I showered and set up my gear to dry in my room. The hosts were incredibly generous and kind, and the camp store was perfect for resupply. With perfect fall weather forecast for the next 5+ days, I excited to see what tomorrow brings. Kilkenny Ridge trail, here I come.
