August 22 - Eliza Brook Shelter (Day 156 – milepoint 1778.3)

Chris had to make his way back to West Virginia for the weekend so we grabbed an early breakfast and he dropped me back at the shelter where he found me.

A humbling day of hiking. Only 16 miles but this is not Pennsylvania any more. 4,000-foot ascent to the summit of Mount Moosilauke, above tree-line. I was hoping for a good view but, alas, yesterday’s rain had the air all fogged up. Beautiful descent down the back side, however, following Beaver Brook cascading its way down a steep gorge.

Kinsman Notch: enter (officially) White Mountain National Forest and the pain of humility yet again. I wanted to try for an another 11 miles, but, after the last brutal 6 miles, I arrived at Eliza Brook and kissed the shelter floor. Beat, ragged, but happy to be here and
comfy after a c-c-cold bath in the brook.

Just me here and two very bold little chipmunks. Can’t remember the last time I thought a chipmunk would taste good with red beans and rice…or between two strawberry Poptarts…

Aquaholic