5/24/23
Day 136 

Today was a mix of what can only be referred to as bushwhacking with long stretches of climbing over, under, and around blowdowns for the better part of 12 miles. I knew going into this hike that it wouldn’t be a cake walk (Three Ponds and Hubbard Brook’s reputations precede them) but I was hoping that it wouldn’t be that bad. I mean, how could it be worse than the worst trail in The Whites, right? I came out the day feeling sad and concerned about our trail system. I came out of the day wishing that I had an entire summer to set up camp on these two trails so that I could clear all the blowdowns and make a new trail where the beavers have ruined what’s already there. I want to learn how to build new trails. Next year I want to join Trailwrights so that I can learn how to build trails. I wish that I could work on trails full time. But I live 90+ minutes away from the mountains. Regardless of what my life looks like in the fall, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I want to start spending multiple weekend days per year doing trail work.  

Daily Miles: 14.70

Daily Vert: 2927’

Overall Miles: 1397.51

Overall Vert: 398,090’

Trace: 60% -> 60.7%

Trails:

Mount Kineo Trail

Donkey Hill Cutoff

Three Ponds Trail

Hubbard Brook Trail