From Placid to Furious - Day 295

  Today was a trailer moving day, so an early hiking start did not happen although we did reasonably well.

Leveaux Pond was beautifully calm, and it was really nice to have blue sky (which means blue water) for a change.


But the high news of the day was Carlton Peak, a very popular day hike. The peak consists of several large blocks of anorthosite. Before the volcanic North Shore was formed these rocks were lower. But they are also lighter than the magma, so they floated (see, rocks can float) to the top and are now a small mountain (peak is 1526 feet). The trail follows along the base of the highest rocks, athough there is a side trail to the top.


The climb wasn't really difficult, although at the highest locations there was a fair amount of scrambling over jumbled rocks. Yes, the trail goes through there.


This was a really impressive sheer face, and the view beyond it was colorful with the trees beginning to turn.


And finally, today, there were glimpses of big blue Lake Superior instead of solid gray.


After coming down Carlton, I joined the Temperance River.


It was awfully hard to choose just a few pictures to share. That bright, friendly waterway didn't last long. As with so many of the streams along the North Shore, when they begin to plunge down to the big lake, the water becomes fierce.


It was hard to decide whether to share long shots that put the size of the falls and the gorges in perspective, or to show close-ups of the raging water. If you look to the right side of this watefall, you can see a man taking a picture of a woman- adds some scale.


I can't believe I forgot how magnificent this river is. It's like a volcanic Watkins Glen. My New York friends will be able to picture this.


On the mini side of the scenery today, I just liked the symmetry and elegance of this fungus.


As I mentioned, we moved the trailer to a new location today, and I start set 3 (of 6) of SHT maps tomorrow. Feels like some progress. The hiking today did not seem very difficult, but adding in the move leaves me just as tired as usual. That's OK, I'll be ready to roll again in the morning.

Huge thanks to our last hosts, Kathy and Jess, with help from Diesel (who weighs more than I do!), Roxy, and Haze. Also, not pictured, Diego and Emerson the cats, and Groot the bearded dragon.


I've been fighting a case of athlete's foot- I seem to get it now and then. But we think we've got it just about cleared up. First I've had it on this trip which is pretty amazing given how much of the time my feet are wet.

Miles today: 11.3. Total miles so far: 3488.7.

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