Day 32 - Georgia to Maine 2026

Chris on top of Bald, Roan Mountain in background

Starting mile 380.8

Today marks the first day of my second month on the trail. I ended my first month with my longest day so far at just under 23 trail miles. Today I plan to take it a little easier. I’m only planning on doing about 15 miles and then trying to get into a hostel for the night. They are calling for rain later this afternoon.

When I got up, I went down to the bathroom. It was nice to have one where I camped at Carver Gap. When I got down there, I saw some people setting up Trail Magic. I went back up to my hammock and started packing up. I wasn’t in a hurry because I could hear them still setting up.

Chris on top of Bald with Roam Mountain in Background

I went down to the tent to see what was going on. They were putting the potatoes in the now boiling water. I was going to get some nice morning potatoes with the works on them. Since they were not ready, I sat around talking with them. One of the people who hiked in 2014 and wanted to do something for this year’s hikers. Her family and friends came out to join her. When the potatoes were finally done I dove in. They were amazing.

After saying my goodbyes, I started up the first of many balds. I would eventually go over four balds, each with a better view than the one before it. When I got to the last bald it started sprinkling on me. I was thinking the rain was coming so I picked up speed. I really didn’t want to get caught up here with the rain. Luckily, I got into the woods a few minutes before the rain came.

It started with a light drizzle but then opened into a real downpour. I was trying to get down the mountain as quickly as possible. There were a restaurant and a hostel just down the road from the Gap. I did the three-ish miles in a little over an hour and I headed for food. When I got to the turn off, I could hear music blasting, it sounded like people were having a great time.

When I get down there, I don’t see a soul. I look around the place, and it looks like a construction yard. I take a seat under cover and just relax for a minute. It was great to be out of the rain. After a couple of minutes “JetPack” came down. He took was a little disappointed that there wasn’t anyone around. Eventually someone comes out of the B&B and lets us know the restaurant opens at four and the hostel is closed while it is being rebuilt.

“JetPack” and I hang out in the restaurant while we wait for it to open, at least we were out of the rain. After about an hour they were ready to start making food so we each ordered a burger and a Guinness. While we were waiting for our food “JetPack” decided he wanted to stay in town. He was wet and cold. He found a place that would come and get him. When our food came we both devoured our burgers. We were very happy.

“JetPack’s” ride arrived and he took off. I decided to wait there until the rain stopped. It looked like the rain should stop by about 6 pm. So, I kind of hung out there enjoying several Guinness. I even ordered some wings. It was great to have a lot of food that I didn’t have to rehydrate.

The rain finally stopped at about 7 pm and I took off up the trail. I figured I would be able to find somewhere to hang my hammock. I kept going up the trail looking and I couldn’t find anything. There were a ton of rhododendron which are not great for hanging a hammock. It was starting to get dark and I was getting worried. Finally, at about 8:15 I found a spot that was doable. It wasn’t great but it worked.

I ended up doing 17 miles today with about 3,400 feet of elevation gain. It wasn’t my favorite day on the trail. The good thing is that I did get to enjoy the views from the balds. I felt bad for everyone who got caught up there.

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