The Bigelows & the Dead

July 13, 2024

mile 438.8-465.7

(Big Eddy Camping Area) (5.7 miles of portaging)

Woke up at 6:45 to be downstairs for breakfast at 7 (biscuits and gravy yummm). Then went upstairs and finished packing and said our goodbyes to Trickle and Jen. Yesterday Jen had told me they were comping our stay because of how much business Henry had sent their way while hiking and I couldn't believe it. 4 nights here and they aren't letting us pay for any of them, they are so generous. The magic just keeps on coming. I'll be sure to pay it forward somewhere.

Finished our 5 mile portage to Stratton where we stopped at the dispensary to get some edibles for me and low THC weed for Henry. Grabbed a few last minute resupply things from the grocery store as well as two sandwiches (Thanksgiving Sammie for me).

Then headed down the road the rest of the way to the put in at Flagstaff Lake. I felt strong and the Bigelows rising up in the background were an incredible sight. It was crazy to think I'd hiked those mountains twice- once going north, then going south and now I'm paddling right underneath them as well.

Henry caught a pickerel and we saw a rainbow. We floated in a cove while Henry changed lures and a loon called, the sound echoing off of every side of the mountains. I listened to my audiobook "My Name is Memory" for the last mile while the wind picked up. We made it to the take out and had an easy 0.7 mile portage here to the campsite. We talked to a nice, funny local and told him about our concerns about Spencer Stream tomorrow. He told us if we can't make it for any reason to come back here and he'd be glad to drive us back to Stratton to wait it out longer.

Big Eddy Camping is free camping along the Dead River, there were plenty of campers there including quite a few fly fisherman. We found an empty spot in between a tenter and an RV and set up camp. I like the vibe here. It's quiet and chill and the river is wide and beautiful. Had leftover chili for dinner and then read my kindle in the comfort of the tent.