Hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness
Loading ...Posted on: December 23, 2009
Posted in: Documentaries, Featured
The Hundred-Mile Wilderness is the section of the Appalachian Trail running between Abol Bridge just south of Baxter State Park and Monson, Maine, USA. It is generally considered the wildest section of the Appalachian Trail. This section of the A.T. is crossed by several logging roads and is maintained by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. It consists of a small corridor of protected wilderness surrounded by large tracts of public and private land controlled by paper companies. An increasing amount of the adjoining lands are being protected by groups like the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Nature Conservancy.
Most of the Appalachian Trail in Maine is not recommended for novice hikers; Maine’s 281 miles are generally considered the most difficult of all fourteen states. Even the strongest hikers may average only one mile an hour in some parts. Other parts require grabbing onto tree roots and limbs to climb or descend, and are especially slippery and hazardous in wet weather.
Lakes, streams, and bogs abound. While that makes moose and loons common sights, it also makes for muddy treadway and many fords of mountain streams. Some of these fords—notably the Kennebec River—can be difficult and potentially life-threatening when water is high. When streams run high in the spring or after heavy rains, often the only options are waiting for them to subside or back-tracking and finding a road to follow—if one exists!
The 281 miles in Maine can be roughly divided into three segments:
One of the segments is the eastern section, sometimes called “the Hundred Miles” between Katahdin and Monson, comprises disconnected mountains, lakes, ponds, streams, and forest. While the eastern section has a flatter profile than other parts of Maine, it has special challenges. The mountains are relatively low, but present some very rugged climbs. Stream crossings here can be tricky—even life-threatening—in high water. Resupply is scarce in this isolated but heavily used area.
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December 29th, 2009 at 3:26 am
I enjoyed hearing your thoughts and comments about this segment of the AT trail. As a 49′er, and a father, I can appreciate what you and your daughter experienced (together) and accomplished (together). Well done. Thank you for sharing. Don’t stop! God bless you and your family
December 29th, 2009 at 6:39 am
This is one of the best videos I’ve seen online regarding a backpacking trip. She uses the 100 Mile Wilderness as backdrop, and expertly tells a story with a central protagonist (her father), supporting characters (herself included) and a theme. Love the subtle irony of the timber truck passing father-daughter on their way to the trail head. Excellent vid.
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:32 pm
very nice ,ive done video/photo and soundtrack work in the past as well as being an oil painting fine artist.–spend alot of time in the whites /amc /some mtn rescue.familier with v.t and maine. your dad was a good subject as well as the hike and goal of doing the 100 miler—any future hike plans? or video plans!
August 15th, 2010 at 6:25 am
Great video,love it…I’ll be headed down that same trail in just two day’s. One more thing checked off my list of things to do…