Decided to do a quick overnight into Baxter State Park after someone snagged the lean-to I originally wanted. I settled for the Center pond lean-to. One I was familiar with and will be spending time at this winter in order to get to winter goal this winter.

Center pond from the shore.

I made the haul to Nesowadnehunk Field. While driving I was having flashbacks of the many hauls I have made on this tote road in XC skis. It felt weird embarking on this trail with no snow. I already knew it was going to be a wet trip.

Maine Ducks just Ducking around.

The first stream crossing was only knee deep and cold. I continued the muddy and wet trail. I had forgotten how nice the green mixed in the the bog bridges create such an atmosphere. It felt like a moose could pop out at any time.

After nearly losing my footwear a couple of times in the mud I made it to the center pond lean-to. Having thought I had enough bug spray on, the mosquito crowed reminding me otherwise. On went the headset and long sleeves. I quickly set up camp and utilized the bug net I had just bought for my sleeping pad.

I anxiously made on way to the canoe to get onto the water. I remembered that I had heard a beaver slapping the water as I had arrived at center pond. I was able to observe some ducks and found the beaver after making several trips onto the water.

For dinner I had a simple mountainhouse Lasagna and some orange tea. I was able to enjoy a brief sunset and then settled back into my bug free haven for some reading.

I woke up around 0745 and was boots on the trail by 0800. It was raining pretty heavily and I was donning rain gear. There wasn’t too much excitement on the trail until I ran into a coyote who saw me and ran the other way. I was kinda hoping to see more of the coyote ,but perhaps next time.

When I had gotten back to the stream crossing it was much more forceful with more water. I have a really embarrassing story about this crossing but that will have to revealed at another time.

When I had reached the trail register I knew that this trip had ended but another memory was forged, including an unforgettable water crossing.

Thanks for reading.

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