June 6, 2021

Another hot and humid day with temperatures ain the 90's again.  Packed up camp and headed down the trail.  Hardly a mile had passed when I got to the lemon squeezer.  The trail enters a short rock tunnel and on the other side squeezes through rocks.  It’s tight and many need to take their packs off to get through as did I.

After getting through the squeezer the trail turns right and heads up a rocky climb.

There are only a few scenic views as even the tops of the mountains here are tree covered but the forest has its own charm.  Before long I passed Fingerboard Shelter and it’s bear warning signs. 

Despite the rumors people did camp there last night.

I took a detour at Alden Valley Road down to Tiorati Beach.  It was three tenths of a mile but it’s a recreation area with a beach, showers, drinks, tap water and ice cream.  It’s a great park with lots of families picnicking.  I swam, showered, drank Gatorade and had ice cream.  Then ate lunch with two other hikers before filling up water bottles and heading back to the trail.

It was great to get the tap water as the water has been sparse and sketchy along the trail so far.

I decided to stop for the night at the William Brien Memorial Shelter.  Including the detour I covered about 9 miles today.  The heat is really slowing me down.  Even My phone has been quirky in this heat. It’s been hard to swipe up different apps including guthook.  I had to do a hard reset twice today.

There is a spring fed well near the shelter.  It’s small and hard to find but fortunately a hiker let me know how to find it.  The water was cold and refreshing.

I was tired so after eating and hanging my food bag I was off to bed.