West Carry Pond to Caratunk

Day Thirty-Seven
Friday, July 5, 2019
West Carry Pond to Caratunk
14 miles

We thought we heard a creature of some sort around our campsite all night last night so we woke up a lot.  Last time we woke was 3:00 so we went ahead and got up to get an early start to meet the canoe at the Kennebec River before it stopped service at 2:00.  It was still dark when we left camp at 4:30 a.m. using flashlights.

The trail was very flat and easy today except between Pearce Pond Lean-to and the river.  Crossing the wooden dam at the outlet of Pearce Pond was pretty spooky.  The water was up above the skimpy boards that we had to walk on.  Although we would have really liked to go to Harrison’s fish camp for their famous pancakes, we wanted to reach the Kennebec more, so we pressed on.  We made really good time at about 2 miles per hour.  The last part of the trail slowed us down.  It was getting pretty hot in the 80’s.  We made it to the river at a little after 12:00 with one passenger before us.   

The Kennebec is a beautiful river but too deep for fording most of the time. Several people in the past have lost their lives trying to ford, so the canoe is now the official A.T. route.  The canoe even has a white blaze on the bottom of it.  A very pleasant fellow named Rob was our canoe operator. 

On the north side of the river Rob drew us a map on the ground of Caratunk.  We first went to the Caratunk B & B and had a pulled pork sandwich and their famous milkshake. ($10 each).  The B & B was full, but we had already decided to go to the Sterling Inn since we had mailed a resupply box there and also had my new boots mailed there. 

We called the Sterling Inn for pickup and Zach was there within a few minutes to pick us up. We were not disappointed with the Inn.  While Caratunk B & B is an old house, Sterling Inn is more like a hotel or bed and breakfast, more modern, with a fantastic breakfast and plenty of privacy although there are lots of rooms.  Both had really good resupply though and I think we would have been fine to have not mailed a box here.  

YouTube of West Carry Pond to Caratunk