Day 84: Aggressive Dogs, Hexacuba, Omelettes, and a Happy Ending

Summary

Aug 9th

Smarts Mountain Cabin to Ore Hill Tentsite

NOBO mile #1783.7

Daily mileage 12.7

Total mileage 760.1
Grounded was first up and out this morning; she was gone by the time I got up. She gathered up her stuff and took it outside the cabin to pack up. I thought that was a good idea, so, after taking my food bag out to make and eat breakfast, I collected the rest of my gear and packed it in the cabin porch. The two other NOBOers started to move about around then. They were planning on getting to Jeffer’s Brook Shelter just south of Moosilauke by end of day. 

The two SOBOers had described the trail north as being pretty moderate, and as I started up it, it seemed they were right. After about 20 minutes, though, I came upon a pair of mastiff dogs as they were coming the opposite direction. They were aggressive, and stopped about 10 feet from me, and growled when I moved. I avoided looking in their eyes, and slowly backed up of to the side of the trail. Occasionally they would look behind as if someone was coming. I spoke softly to them, asking “Where are your owners?”

I kept expecting the owners to come up, but they had me “treed” for 10-15 minutes. I backed further off trail as they came closer. Then they were abreast of me, then a little past, at which point they started to move away, back the direction I had come. I slowly moved back on to the trail, and then moved along, faster. I was still hoping to meet the owners, and let them know it was not OK to have these dogs off leash on the trail. But I never met anyone, meaning the dogs were unattended. They had leather collars on, but I didn’t see any tags. 

Then the trail dropped down to a brook before crossing a dirt road, then another brook where I refilled my water, then the path started the climb up to the Eastman Ledges on the Kodak Trail. By the names, I have to guess that this was a place where Eastman and Kodak came to photograph the views. It was nice, but I had to wonder why this trail and ledges carried their names, when there are certainly more dramatic views. 

After the ledges, it was time to ascend Mt. Cube. 

The Hexacuba Shelter was a potential goal for me yesterday, partway up the side of Mt. Cube. It was only 5+ miles from Smarts Mtn., but I’m glad I didn’t push it yesterday. It wasn’t terribly difficult to get to the side trail, but in the end I wasn’t motivated to hike the steep .2 miles up to the shelter. 

Apparently, the shelter is a unique 6-sided building. I kind of wish I had stopped, just to satisfy my curiosity. Luckily, a photo is just a Google image search away. 

After the shelter turn off, the trail begins to climb more steeply, crossing a series of ledges. Just before the ledges, the two NOBOers from Smarts Mtn. Cabin passed me. They asked if I was going to try to get to the Omelette Guy, and I said I thought so. I wasn’t exactly sure where he was set up, but I thought it was just past RT25A, which seemed doable. 

The Omelette Guy has a place right on the trail where he has set up tarps and chairs, and he cooks up huge omelettes with ham and cheese, etc. He also has juice and muffins and bananas. He’s been doing this for the past two years. Everyone on this part of the trail is talking about him, and how awesome it. I had yet to have a trail magic meal, so I was determined to get there today. 

I found blueberry bushes all along the ledges, and I took the time to pick some to eat as I walked. 

It was past noontime when I finally got to the summit. The view was amazing and I sat down to eat a snack and drink water, and take it all in. It’s a popular spot, so there were day hikers enjoying the view, as well. 

Luckily, the trail coming off of Mt. Cube was pretty straightforward; no ledges to negotiate. But even though I was making good time, it still averaged out to 2 miles an hour, and I didn’t reach the road until 2pm. 

I passed two SOBOers, and asked the if the Omelette Guy was still cooking, and they said yes. The second one said he was quitting at 4 today so he could get to the dump. That seemed to leave me plenty of time, until I learned he was still nearly 2 miles past RT25A. So when I reached the road, I turned on the afterburners. The next section was a combination of moderate climb and bog, which made maintaining any kind of speed difficult. But I was able to make it before 3pm. The two NOBOers were just packing up to leave. The Omelette Guy offered me bananas and muffins and juice, but he had stopped serving eggs, because he was preparing to pack up and go to the dump. I was disappointed, of course, but also grateful for what he was offering. So I chugged some juice, ate a banana and two corn muffins, then filled my water containers since the next campsite was said to have sketchy water. 

I had actually planned on staying at a trail angel’s home off of 25A, an elderly couple that let folks shower and sleep in beds, and served up a big breakfast. But I hadn’t eaten lunch, and the promise of an omelette was too tempting. <sigh>

Ore Hill Campsite was only a half a mile beyond, still climbing. By this time, I was getting some serious chafing, so I just wanted to get to the camp at this point. Big shout out to Gold Bond powder!! 

It was with real relief that I reached the camp. There was a family already set up, it turned out that they were waiting for a cousin who was thru-hiking, and they were planning a huge hiker feast for he and his hiking partners. The first thing the father said to me was: “Do you want a beer?” 

I said, “Yes! But I need to set up camp first!” 

So I got out of my wet clothes, took care of the chafing (Yay, Gold Bond!), set up the hammock, and had a few bites (not knowing if I’d be invited to join the feast), then went over. 

They immediately starting plying me with food, the aforementioned beer, a cinnamon bun, shish-kabob, potato salad, Kentucky fried chicken… Unbelievable! And so, there was my first hot meal Trail Magic. 

After I had finished, and said thank you and goodnight, another hiker, named Tarzan, came in and, after setting up his camp, sat down to his own feast. I went back to sit and chat, and then Fuego came in, another NOBOer. And she just sat down and tucked in, not even waiting to set up camp. 

Tarzan and Fuego knew each other, so there was a lot of conversation about their history, and folks sat up quite late around the fire, although I turned in first. But not before a promise of a big breakfast from the Trail Angels!

And so, with the emotional ups and downs of the day, I ended up exactly where I needed to be, enjoying good company, and and an amazing piece of Trail Magic!!