Monday, 18 August

Start Wakely Dam – MM 74.2
End Carry Lean To – MM 69.6

Day Miles: 4.6
Trip Miles: 4.6

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Bob and I were up early. We headed over to the cabin where we had food in the refrigerator. Temperature dropped to 45 overnight. Perfect sleeping weather. The humidity dropped overnight and the sky is blue. I took the time to repack my backpack. It is really tight with a week’s food and some fishing gear.

Breakfast was family style as Bob and I enjoyed our last real cooked meal until Sunday. we were served scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, sausage and home fries along with coffee and bagels.

Sheila, our shuttle driver arrived just before 10:00. It was about an hour and a half drive to Wakely Dam. We chatted with the ranger, signed in and started walking. The first one and a half miles was along a dirt road. As Bob and I entered the woods we met a couple out for a day hike. A mile later was a campsite where we decided to stop for lunch. Bob and I were lucky enough to hear our first loon call of the trip.

As we neared our campsite for the night we passed two guys heading north from the start of the trail in Northville. Bob and I are southbound. We set up our tents near Carry Lean To on the Cedar River after an easy five mile day.

Bob pulled out his spinning rod and quickly caught the first brook trout of the trip. I promptly lost my first fly with the tenkara setup. I will see how that works the rest of the trip.

As Bob and I were finishing the second half of our Italian subs for dinner two girls came in, one from England (via the Philly area), one from Boston. They chatted for a while before heading to the lean to for the night.

Bob and I managed a so-so bear hang using two trees. I think we are more worried about squirrels and raccoons than bears. Into the tents as the sun goes down expecting a nice cool night.