Hiking the Appalachian Trail... Kind of.

↜ A Little Detour

I know last week I said that we're going home.  But I'll save that post for an occasion.

I am not much of a planner.  At least not when it comes to what I want to do on my days off.  I think it's because my day job is to plan all week that I don't have much interest of planning my weekend.

Just an FYI... lack of planning can equal to getting lost.

I usually decide on where to go the morning of the hike.  On this particular morning, I zero'd in on Mosquito Mountain.  Why not.  I do not like mosquitos.  It kills me that I can't enjoy my backyard because I get eaten by them.  So I figured, it would be funny to climb a mountain named after my arch-nemesis.

So I pulled out my phone, typed Mosquito Mountain and followed the directions on Google Maps.

First indication that GM is lying to you is when it says "you have arrived" and you're still in the middle of the road.  So I moved a few feet forward.  I then spotted what seems to be a parking spot.  I was 99% unprepared.  My 1% saving grace was that before I head out, I took a screenshot of the instructions on how to get to the trail head because I know that there's a chance that I will not have a cell reception.  

I swear I read the instructions how to get to the trail head several times.  A big boulder with an arrow sign showing to park?  Check.  A 2-3 car parking spot?  Check.  Rocks to climb to get to the trail head?  Check.  

Where did I end up?  Not on top of Mosquito Mountain.  I followed the power line which was probably a bad idea.  I followed it until I don't think I can follow it anymore.  I saw some deer and they probably think I was lost.  Which I was.  I tried to follow what looks like an old fire road then it got really questionable so I abandoned that plan.  I abandoned the Mosquito Mountain plan altogether.

I hopped back in my car and drove to where I can find signal and looked for a new mountain to climb.

I guess that's the beauty of lack of planning.  It can lead you to new adventures.  Enter Pleasant Pond Mountain.

Pleasant Pond Mountain is part of the Appalachian Trail.  The peak can be accessed from the west or the east side and has open ledges that offer fine views in all directions.  It's a moderate trail, 6.60 miles in length and is rocky and rooty and foresty... yep!  Typical.

    

I actually made friends with a squirrel.  Or maybe it wanted to eat me.  Either way, it was cool to be chatting with the little guy.

   

The summit was 2447 feet in elevation.  The view on the top was not the best because of all the tall trees but the feeling of accomplishment never fails.

And it was great to see a familiar name 😻

⛰ White Cap Mountain

Remember that one time when you saw an owl?  It is a rare sighting indeed!  A  barred owl aka striped owl aka hoot owl, and aka eight-hooter owl have a distinctive call that some say sounds like "who cooks for you; who cooks for you all!" They also make other vocalizations, including screams, barks, hoots, and a call that sounds like laughter.  Straight away, I knew this trail will be interesting.  

You know you're in the Northwoods when the location of the mountain you want to hike ends with "county".  That's where White Cap Mountain is - Piscatiquis County.

 

Considered as a strenuous trail, this is the tallest peak in the 100 Mile Wilderness and part of the Appalachian trail.  It has expansive views of the region...  on a clear day.  I wasn't that lucky.  

  

 

Its 3644 foot elevation was no joke.  And it was strenuous especially on a drizzly day.  But the I think the fog added a little mystique and sublime to the dense forest.  It's definitely on my list to go back maybe in the fall.

Where to next, Puu?

This is a beautiful picture of the sun shining my backyard.  Reminding me that...

"No matter how hard it rains or how long for it to stop, it will stop.  

The colors will be vibrant.  The air will be fresh.  The sun will shine again no matter what."

Anyway... I'm sure there will be more hiking, more kayaking and most likely, our journey home 😻

In the meantime, check out my store to see more images like this!  Or maybe follow my Instagram page.  Or maybe get some free stock photos.  Thank you internet!