31 blowdowns cleared. 2 temporary bog bridges built. 300 road miles logged. And some 20-odd person-hours recorded.

So went a recent trail maintenance trip to my section of the AT up at East Carry Pond. The way is clear now... so have at it my hiker friends!

Many thanks to my friend Huw, a Wales native and newcomer to Maine, who'd never set foot on the AT before, much less been gravel pit camping, a Maine tradition. Well, now that's all been taken care of, and he's earned his keep to boot with a good day of sweat and toil on the trail.

Besides the dearth of of black flies and mosquitoes, I kept Huw busy with plenty of sawed-up messes produced by me and the chainsaw. All things considered, however, it was a light year work-wise. Thirty-one blowdowns is nothing compared to the last several seasons, when 75-100 or more was the norm.

One of the never-ending joys of visiting my trail section is that walk out of the thick spruce and fir near the end of it, and onto the shoreline of East Carry Pond. Then turning left and walking--slowly walking--along the bank on a soft path thick with needles. The crystal clear water lapping the rocks. Sun and blue sky and puffy white clouds. And not a sound except the breeze in the treetops. To the sandy beach perfect for watching red-spotted newts swim in the shallows and washing off the day's trail dirt.

It's not wilderness here, but it's big woods. And it feels wild enough. And when I get there I get a special feeling deep inside. Of thanks. And pride. And pleasure.

Thanks that I'm so lucky to simply know this place, and be able to share it with others. Proud that I and others are able to take a modicum of care of it so that hikers can pass through. Pleasure in good honest work, wielding a chainsaw, a pair of brush clippers, a fire rake.

Hope you all have a good weekend. And that you get a chance to help out our trails sometime this summer. They need you as much as you need them!

Gravel pit camping is the best. Especially with the new house-on-wheels!
Photo by Huw Evans

Clearing a tangle of blowdowns on the AT near East Carry Pond.
Photo by Huw Evans

More blowdowns...but only 31 in all. An easy task this year.
Photo by Huw Evans

Happiness is a clear trail corridor.
Photo by Huw Evans

First AT thru-hikers of the season: Southbounders Emery, Jordan, Brad and dog Boo from Austin, Texas. Good luck guys!
Photo by Huw Evans

The day's reward: The magnificence that is Easy Carry Pond.
Photo by Huw Evans

End of my trail section at the inlet to East Carry Pond.
Photo by Huw Evans

Incredible view across Flagstaff Lake from Round Barn behind Bigelow as we traveled the long way home.
Photo by Huw Evans