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I had a great time, although my plans were changed because I ran into more snow than expected. I had a lean-to all to myself each night, saw some wildlife, had time to relax and reflect, and got a lot of good hiking in. This was also my first solo backpacking trip, and also my first ultralight trip.
I drove up from NJ on Friday (may 6) and camped at the ADK campground at Heart Lake.
On Saturday I took my time getting ready, and headed out at around 11 AM. I walked to South Meadow taking the roads to get there, signed the register, and headed up the Klondike Notch trail. The trail was damp, like it had been really muddy the week before, but it was mostly good trail. The scenery reminded me of New Jersey, but of course we've only got hills down here.
As I got higher, there was more snow, which was melting and making a lot of mud, but nothing deeper than my ankles. I took a great break 1 mile before the notch right on the creek. It was sunny, warm, and I got to watch a hawk fly above me for a few minutes. I moved on to Klondike Notch and headed down, passing by a couple heading up from John's Brook. I made it to John's Brook Lodge in the afternoon (around 4) and took a break. People said the bridge at the ranger station was out (but they had crossed it anyways). Those guys there were getting ready for a big campfire - The wood was stacked 4 feet high! I went to the river to consider crossing it, it was possible, but the water was high (knee deep) and I didn't want to get my boots wet. (Ultralight = no camp shoes)
Here's where I changed my plans, I didn't want to attempt the Great Range with wet boots, especially with where I planned on camping high up, as my feet get cold easily. So I decided to re-route my trip by heading up John's Brook and SW up the trail that goes just north of Little Marcy. I camped at John's Brook lean to and slept well.
Sunday - I woke up and it was cold, misty/rainy, and I couldn't see the mountians to the East. I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag, so I didn't
I drank tea and wrote in my journal.
I drove up from NJ on Friday (may 6) and camped at the ADK campground at Heart Lake.
On Saturday I took my time getting ready, and headed out at around 11 AM. I walked to South Meadow taking the roads to get there, signed the register, and headed up the Klondike Notch trail. The trail was damp, like it had been really muddy the week before, but it was mostly good trail. The scenery reminded me of New Jersey, but of course we've only got hills down here.
As I got higher, there was more snow, which was melting and making a lot of mud, but nothing deeper than my ankles. I took a great break 1 mile before the notch right on the creek. It was sunny, warm, and I got to watch a hawk fly above me for a few minutes. I moved on to Klondike Notch and headed down, passing by a couple heading up from John's Brook. I made it to John's Brook Lodge in the afternoon (around 4) and took a break. People said the bridge at the ranger station was out (but they had crossed it anyways). Those guys there were getting ready for a big campfire - The wood was stacked 4 feet high! I went to the river to consider crossing it, it was possible, but the water was high (knee deep) and I didn't want to get my boots wet. (Ultralight = no camp shoes) Here's where I changed my plans, I didn't want to attempt the Great Range with wet boots, especially with where I planned on camping high up, as my feet get cold easily. So I decided to re-route my trip by heading up John's Brook and SW up the trail that goes just north of Little Marcy. I camped at John's Brook lean to and slept well.
Sunday - I woke up and it was cold, misty/rainy, and I couldn't see the mountians to the East. I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag, so I didn't
I drank tea and wrote in my journal.
But as soon as I made that decision, another hiker came up the trail. Two hikers had been about 15 minutes behind me, and were headed up towards Marcy. I talked to them for a little, and asked if I could join them for a while - They said sure and we were on our way. 
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