Rainbow lake to Abol Campground

Woo hoo!!!! Short day of hiking and we are out of the wilderness!!! It was not going to let us go without a fight today though! More roots..

We got to the top of Rainbow Ledges and ate some fresh blueberries.

Had a great view of Katahdin 

Turned on a little Supremes and Murphy and I did a little dance up there. 50 shook his head and hiked on :) So dang close! Stopped at our last shelter to sign the log and see who else had been through recently.

This is the last blaze in the wilderness and it seemed so appropriate.

Hiked out of the woods to Abol bridge. Another of those big landmarks on the trip and what a spectacular view of the big K. It really was breathtaking.

Stopped at the campground restaurant and ATE. I was soooo hungry for real food!!! 

Photo of a few that were there also. Mayonnaise Pockets, Texty (with a much shorter beard. He decided to get off the trail back in Vermont but came back out to summit with Mayo.) Impact and 50.

Spending the night in Millinocket and tomorrow we will go back to Abol Bridge, hike the 10 miles to the base of the mountain, spend the night and get up early for the final ascent, if all goes as planned. 

We ran into Kickapoo, Pogano, Stark, Shakes, Twist and Acorn having dinner tonight. They are summitting tomorrow, so not sure if we will see them again or not. :( Seems so strange to be saying goodbye to people for the last time.

Below is what Thoreau wrote aftersummiting  Katahdin. 

Thoreau on Ktaadn

(Indian word meaning highest land)

This ground is not prepared for you. Is it not enough that I smile in the valleys? I have never made this soil for thy feet, this air for thy breathing, these rocks for thy neighbors. I cannot pity nor fondle thee here, but forever relentlessly drive thee hence to where I AM kind. Why seek me where I have not called thee, and then complain because you find me but a stepmother? Shouldst thou freeze or starve, or shudder thy life away, here is no shrine, nor altar, nor any access to my ear.