Brett and Frosty Walking Across Moosehead Lake to Mount Kineo
Frosty and I met up with Brett from the Bangor Outdoor Club in Greenville at the Indian Hill Trading Post.The road into the old trail up Eagle Rock wasn’t plowed, so we went with Plan B. Hike Kineo!
View from the Indian Trail of Mount Kineo
We drove up to Rockwood and parked at the boat landing which was full of trucks and trailers. There were some snowmobiles and ice shacks out on the lake. Brett’s truck listed the temperature as -4! Holy cow, that was without the windchill. The weather site I checked before heading out this morning predicted a temperature of -12 with the windchill. We geared up and headed out on the lake. We wore microspikes for today’s hike.
Another View from the Indian Trail of Mount Kineo
We walked across the narrow corridor of Moosehead Lake that separates Rockwood from Mount Kineo. The wind on the lake was whipping. By the time I got across, I could see a few little beads of ice on my eyelashes.
The Trees at the Top Were Laden with Snow
Once across, Frosty and I took off our hard shells. I kept my other layers on because of the predicted cold. Even though I knew we would be working hard going up hill. I got sweaty without even realizing it as I hiked up the Indian Trail. It was steep, but so worth it. I love the views from this trail. Our hike today had more snow than our trip up Kineo last winter. Last time, we had more ice to deal with. Today’s conditions made for an easier hike. The snow wasn’t too deep, so it could be easily tackled without snowshoes. Brett and Frosty cruised along.
Beardsicles! That’s Why He Got the Trail Name Frosty!
As we hiked I had to admit to myself that I was dragging. I have a head cold. I hate to slow down and admit when I’m not feeling well. I hate to stop my routine and rest. I wasn’t coughing. I just felt tired and had sinus pressure in my head. I could power through! But now, I had to admit it. Whatever type of germ this was; it was affecting me. The guys had to keep stopping to wait for me to catch up. Ugh.
One of the Cousin It Trees on Mount Kineo
The snow weighing down the evergreen trees near the summit made them look like Cousin It. At the summit, we stopped for a water break. Then we headed back down. On the descent, we took the Bridle Trail. Then we headed back across the lake.
Brett and Frosty at the Summit of Mount Kineo
I had trouble with my layers today. This is a reoccurring theme with me. When the temperature is forecast to be wicked cold, I put on way too many layers. I did it when I ran the Epic Finale last year as well. In regular winter temps, I don’t have a problem and embrace the “be bold… start cold” philosophy. When I get psyched out by super cold conditions, I overdo it. Hopefully, I will eventually learn this lesson. On a short hike like today, the consequences were minor. On a long hike, the results could be serious.
