Day 3, 6-21

Hurd Brook Lean-to --> Rainbow Stream Lean-to, 11.5 miles

I'm not sure what time I woke up, but it was early. The sun was just hitting the tops of the trees. I ate a quick breakfast, packed up, and hit the trail. The climb up to Rainbow Ledges was less difficult than I thought it would be. I stopped at the first one and took some time applying moleskin to my feet and duck tape to my hips, where the hip belt was rubbing. Sitting here in the shelter now, the right one is still on, but the left one broke while I was putting it on. Now my pants have some sticky on them. Also, pulling off duck tape is very painful.

A lot of the trail today was along various lakes, and I got some nice views of them through the trees. Also, mud. There was quite a bit of mud on the trail. If my shoes hadn't been tied, one would probably have gotten lost.

I got to the shelter around 1:30. Giardia was there, and I met Wooly, Skunky, and Xena, and their dog Sugaree. The poor dog looked pooped, but they were pushing on a few more miles. I think I'll run into them again, I feel like I'm a faster hiker. An uncle-nephew group showed up shortly after. (Kenny and RJ) They're hiking the 100-mile wilderness. I'm wondering when Richard and Cheech & Chong (the guys from the shelter last night) will get here. The uncle/nephew were a lot of fun to talk to. Kenny knows his stuff, and plans to thru hike when he retires. I hope I run into them again. As I sit here this evening, Rainbow Stream shelter is growing on me more and more. The river is just in front of the shelter, and the whole scene is gorgeous. It will be hard to find another shelter or campsite this nice again.

Today is the longest day of the year, so I have no idea what time it is now. I figure I'll go to bed when I'm too tired to stay up anymore.  It was also hike naked day, but I didn't participate. My legs hurt less than yesterday, but my knees hurt now. Maybe the pain will work down to my feet and then be gone. I wish. I've run out of things to say, so I'm going to go to read somewhere comfortable then go to sleep. :)