View Full Version : Trip to maine next month, seeking beta on shelters
flemdawg1
07-17-2014, 10:28
My friend and I are hiking from Caratunk to Katahdin in Late August. I'm seeking current info on the following shelters:
Pleasant Pond Leanto
Moxie Bald Leanto (What's the best spot to see/photo a moose?)
Wilson valley Leanto
Chairback Gap Leanto (is the spring running well?)
Sidney Tappan Campsite
Cooper Brook Falls leanto
Nahmatkanta Stream Campsite
Rainbow Stream Leanto
Abol Bridge CG
Are these in good shape, are there better alternatives nearby? Are there any "Can't miss" shelters or campistes that I should consider instead?
flemdawg1
07-17-2014, 10:29
To clarify, I'm not interested in your general "Shelters suck" opinion. But I will listen to any actual campsite reccomendations.
Slo-go'en
07-17-2014, 13:18
I haven't been up that way in a long time, so I can't comment on the condition of the shelters. There is nice camping at Upper Jo-Mary lake in the HMW and at least one shelter with quite a view (Cloud pond or Chairback Gap?) You may find a couple of shelters which still have "baseball bat" floors. (tree branches).
In general, it is wise to stay at the shelters. Flat areas tend to be boggy, there is a lot of dense spruce forest and you run the risk of being stepped on by a moose.
peakbagger
07-18-2014, 07:47
Cooper brook is generally regarded as one of the nicest locations on the trail. I am not a fan of Chairback Gap (lousy water, right on the trail).
Bring a tent and plan to use it, the 100 MW is extremely busy that time of year and staying in a shelter is highly unlikely.
Nahmatkanta Stream Campsite can be real buggy, nice location along the stream but there is large wetlands nearby that breeds mosquitoes.
flemdawg1
07-18-2014, 10:45
How is the hammocking around the shelters. I have both (tent and hammock) but would much prefer to bring my hammock.
I'm going south from Baxter on 8/29 - thanks for the info! I hope things will empty out after the Labor Day weekend...
SouthMark
07-18-2014, 12:10
flemdawg1 I had no problem with using a hammock around the shelters. I would suggest the state cg across the road from the Abol Bridge CG. Cheaper and no RVs.
Mr. Clean
07-20-2014, 05:57
Yes, stay at Abol Pines across the road from Abol Bridge. Half the price. I don't know what they have for services, though.
SouthMark
07-20-2014, 07:29
Abol Pines is a primitive campground. It does have a privy. It is very clean. There are four or so small trail shelters. It is located on the bank of the river and is less than half price. In 2010 when I was there it was $3 a night.
TwoSpirits
07-20-2014, 10:00
I stayed at Abol Pines just a few weeks ago. It is beautiful, and yes IS very clean -- thanks to the work of state employees who maintain it. Cost for me (non-resident) was $8 plus tax.
joshuasdad
07-20-2014, 14:15
Rainbow Stream Leanto was in good condition in June, water from wide, rushing stream less than 50 feet from open side of shelter. It is a pretty loud shelter because of the stream...I thought it was raining heavily in the middle of the night, but it was just the rushing water.
flemdawg1
07-20-2014, 16:07
Can you take a shower at Abol Bridge CG and then stay at Abol Pines? After a week in HMW, I'm going to need a shower.
My info is from Aug. 2010.
Chairback Gap Leanto (is the spring running well?)
-- in 2010, no water, water from a spring 1.7 miles south of shelter
Cooper Brook Falls leanto
-- nice. always water.
Nahmatkanta Stream Campsite
-- nice. IIRC, water was no problem.
Rainbow Stream Leanto
-- nice. always water.
Mr. Clean
07-21-2014, 09:21
I don't know if you can shower at Abol Bridge then go across the street. They have pay showers (fifty cents for 6 minutes). Abol bridge is $17 something and Abol Pines is $8 something per night (thru hiker rate). But you could always swim in the Penobscot River right there.
I stayed at Abol Bridge last week as a base camp for 4 days last week and had a great time, but it was pricey at a non-thru hiker price for the family.
flemdawg1
07-21-2014, 11:40
can you split a campsite at either place? I'm hiking with a buddy, and we're not sharing tents/hammocks.
Shutterbug
07-21-2014, 12:03
My friend and I are hiking from Caratunk to Katahdin in Late August. I'm seeking current info on the following shelters:
Pleasant Pond Leanto
Moxie Bald Leanto (What's the best spot to see/photo a moose?)
Wilson valley Leanto
Chairback Gap Leanto (is the spring running well?)
Sidney Tappan Campsite
Cooper Brook Falls leanto
Nahmatkanta Stream Campsite
Rainbow Stream Leanto
Abol Bridge CG
Are these in good shape, are there better alternatives nearby? Are there any "Can't miss" shelters or campistes that I should consider instead?
Since you are using a hammock, you don't really need to stay at a Leanto. The last time I hiked the 100 mile wilderness, I used a hammock. You won't have a problem finding a good place to hang.
The best place to see a moose is around the ponds, early in the morning. They often wade in the water and eat the vegetation.
Another great place to camp is the Antlers Camp Site.
flemdawg1
07-21-2014, 15:00
I see in the 2010 Companion that Abol Bridge coin-op showers are for guests only.
Migrating Bird
07-22-2014, 06:36
Since you are using a hammock, you don't really need to stay at a Leanto. The last time I hiked the 100 mile wilderness, I used a hammock. You won't have a problem finding a good place to hang.
The best place to see a moose is around the ponds, early in the morning. They often wade in the water and eat the vegetation.
Another great place to camp is the Antlers Camp Site.
+1 my experience also.
in my oppinion thats the best time of year to do that section their will be AWESOME Fall Foilage, all kinds of wildlife, Cooper Brook shelter is one of the better shelter on the trail, but once you get into BSP their rules gets a little ridiculous.
Antler's Campsite is wonderful. Definitely worth a stop. Right on the lake.
flemdawg1
08-12-2014, 17:28
leaving in 3 days, anymore suggestions?
flemdawg1
09-02-2014, 11:32
OK I just got back. I didn't stay in all the original ones planned due to 100MW kicing my butt.
My friend and I are hiking from Caratunk to Katahdin in Late August. I'm seeking current info on the following shelters:
Pleasant Pond Leanto Arrived late, but OK shelter.
Moxie Bald Leanto (What's the best spot to see/photo a moose?) Opted to sleep outside when I saw the great lakeside campsites.
Wilson valley Leanto Hammocked outside, OK.
Chairback Gap Leanto (is the spring running well?) Didn't make it here, camped near West Chairback Pond instead, got dark before I could make it. Did have decent flowing water, but a major climb down to it though from shelter.
Sidney Tappan Campsite Hammocked at Carl Newhall instead. Newhall got crowded due to distance in HMW (2nd day for most TH, 3rd day for sectioners)
Stayed at East branch Lean-to, OK shelter. Lots of camping nearby, water from river tasted less fresh than normal and one TH saw leeches in water.
Cooper Brook Falls leanto Georgeous place for lunch, nice cascade in front of shelter and some TH swam there.
Antlers campsite, nice tentsites, brand new privy (Fort Relief), on shore of Jo Mary Lake, good swimming, good cell signal (Verizon and AT&T).
Nahmatkanta Stream Campsite Didn't even stop here. Stayed at Wadleigh Stream, and it was OK.
Rainbow Stream Leanto Stopped for lunch, not bad, but had ballbat floors. Stayed at Rainbow Spring CS, not nearly as nice as other campsites and got really crowded as both NOBOs and newly entering SOBOs both stopped here.
Abol Bridge CG they sell bugspray here for a reason, especially needed when entering BSP next day. Beer, poutine, camp, shower, beer, cheeseburger w/ Onion Rings and fries, and beer. then breakfast the next day (kitchen is closed but had a few breakfast burritos and cinnamon rolls). Has some resupply items (tuna,knorrs, ramen, oatmeal) but I really wanted some tortillas or bagles for lunch and they didn't have. No biggie, I'm 2 days from finishing. If you want beer, wine, or sodas for BSP or the top of Big K, buy here (no stores or even vending machines in BSP).
Are these in good shape, are there better alternatives nearby? Are there any "Can't miss" shelters or campistes that I should consider instead?
rocketsocks
09-03-2014, 01:18
OK I just got back. I didn't stay in all the original ones planned due to 100MW kicing my butt.
Isn't that fun though, throwin' out the plans and taking it as it comes, kinda thing that always appealed to me about a multiday hike.
flemdawg1
09-03-2014, 10:12
Well we had to beg some food from a pair of older ladies that were bailing at Gulf Hagas as we were going to run out. We took 4 days of food and had a bucket drop at Jo-Mary Road. But revising our schedule down the 3rd day, meant we either needed more food, bailing out or begging the extra food. Luckily the ladies were happy to lighten their packs, and gave us some pretty tasty stuff for the extra day.