Fall classic 2010
Camden Hills St Pk
October 3-5, 2010
Hiking in the coastal hills along Penobscot Bay in Maine
 PhDs atop Mt Megunticook |
 PhDs at the Spring Brook hut |
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Chronicle by Borb
Since it was Torm’s turn, he suggested a slightly different venue than the usual inland excursions. The coastal Camden Hills Maine State Park with newly updated ski shelter was selected and agreed to by the crew with surprisingly little dissension.
This park is situated on the rocky shores of Maine offering spectacular views of the numerous offshore islands and Cadillac Mountain (the first point of sunrise in the US). The park is mountainous featuring Bald Rock Mountain at 1200’, Mount Megunticook at 1385’, and an auto road to Mount Battie at 780’. Spectacular views of the coast and Camden Harbor are available from each summit.
After a confusing selection of primary vehicle for the trip by Matt, (either excessive dog hair and odometer reading or not enough trunk space) the 4 Mass Phd’s proceeded from the Blue Hills lot in Charlie’s old reliable Rav 4. A rendezvous with NH Dave was affected at the Maine Mall in Portland subsequently proceeding to the Delorme Map store for topographic refueling. A fine lunch was obtained at the Freeport Café. Particular attention was given to the hot sauces and continually changing wait staff.
Arrival at the state park meant a difficult task was at hand, the need to haul ~300 lbs of gear 1.6 miles up the hill to the shelter by 5 aging Phd’s. Matt being the youngest and strongest PhD took on the lion’s share of the load even though recuperating from a 20 mile run and plantar fasciitis. He more than made up for any earlier vehicle issues.
Following the meal a debate ensued regarding the appropriate venue for the PhD awards; when to hold it, if this was the 7th or 8th annual award, and of course blame was assigned for the lack of award preparation covering the prior year. We finally stopped debating and awards were given with appropriate fanfare. There were no prizes.
Upon arrival at the shelter Borb and Matt went into fire stoking and cooking mode. A fire starter purchased by Dave was particularly useful.
Charlie, Torm & Dave set orf for Bald Rock Mountain in the fading sun. The shelter was directly on the main dirt road traversing the park. Occasionally a hiker would pop in to explore the shelter. Most were friendly and some were quite talkative. This was interesting for a day or two but might wear on a longer stay at the shelter.
With scant sun left Torm and Dave returned to the shelter extolling the fantastic views across Penobscot Bay. They could see mountains to the north, and boats in the Bay from the cliff summit. There was even an old geocache at the summit, near a log shelter.
They indicated that Charlie had detoured to collect an additional cache and might not ever be heard from again. Not to worry, 30 minutes later Charlie’s headlamp could be seen coming down the road. An appetizer of chips and salsa provided by Dave were consumed.
Meanwhile Matt was preparing a fine seafood risotto with lobster and shrimp. The propane lantern suddenly started to fade. Then the camp stove went dim as Matt finished up in the nick of time. It was decided that the expected life of a propane bottle was one camping trip. Matt offered to go to town to get more propane. We all said we could make do by lighting an immense fire in the fireplace with the wood provided and using headlamps. Borb felt omelets could be cooked on the wood stove in the morning, and so we proceeded enjoying a fine fire then lights out. During the night refilling of air mattresses could be heard as has become the PHD custom. This has been added to the routine of clanging/banging while peeing and farting ensuring that no one gets a good night’s sleep.
Day two began with drizzle outside, ughhh! The wood stove was stoked with Borb preparing the omelets slower than usual because of the lower heat provided by the wood stove. The mushroom, ham and pepper jack omelets were enjoyed by all. We were unable to boil water on the stove so the apple juice was particularly enjoyable.
A discussion of the itinerary followed with Matt continuing the quest for propane. It was decided that we would hike up Mount Megunticook, then back to camp headquarters, then to downtown by way of a separate trail with views of the harbor and Penobscot Bay. 
The round trip would be 5 miles. We proceeded up Megunticook then took the traditional photos at the summit. At this point Torm, under the impression that he was participating in a hiking trip, decided to separate from the group to traverse the ridge alone rather than search for propane in town.
The main party proceeded down the mountain to the parking lot noting drizzly views on the way. Good views of Camden were seen from the lookout cliffs.
Upon arriving in Camden we all found the real reason for Matt’s insistence on going to town for propane. Coffee! He was so elated he paid for all. As the weather was clearing a bit we explored Camden Harbor and then drove up the auto road to Mount Battie affording possibly the best views of Camden Harbor.
We hiked back to the shelter with two fresh cans of propane for dinner arriving at ~ 1:00 PM. As if on queue the sun broke through affording a fine afternoon on the lawn for eating peanut butter & jelly, snoozing in And-a-rondakchairs, and greeting various hikers as they passed through (A solitary retired environmental engineer with Alaskan Husky, one talkative divorced Swiss German Blond with poles, and two women on horseback). We were relieved that the horseback riders didn’t tour the interior of the shelter.
While the lads strolled around the shops of Camden sipping overpriced coffee, Tom hiked out along Megunticook ridge trail. Every now and then the trail would pass by open ledges with outstanding views to the south and east, arriving at Maiden’s cliff after about two miles. The route back went along the base of the cliffs parallel to the ridge trail. A side excursion was made, (on foot), to Mount Battie where the views were inspiring despite it being somewhat overrun with drive-up tourists. Tom escaped the throng by tracking back along the trail, then ascending to Ocean Lookout to take in yet another fine view of the coast. The final leg of the walk went back across the summit of Megunticook, and then descended to the starting point at the ski shelter. An all-together fine walk on a beautiful fall day in Maine!
Torm returned from his seven mile hike in time to prepare dinner. He extolled the virtues of the ridge trail and indicated that he too had gone Battie.
Before dinner, the awards ceremony commenced with 4 of 5 PhD’s prepared and Matt (this is becoming a theme) not prepared. Initially Torm was cooking indoors but because of the fine weather suddenly decided to move outside. Based upon the abundant wood supply and with no notice from the state that a 3rd campfire was started. We were able to almost empty the wood shed of beautifully split and dried wood. The sausage and wild mushroom pialle was sumptuous with 3rd & 4th portions doled out. After that we turned in.
Day 3 commenced with all PhD’s quickly packing up and heading for the trail in anticipation of a Moody’s diner breakfast which was still hours away. We all agreed that this may have been the best accommodations ever for the PhD’s. In an unusual show of cooperation we all shared in carrying the extra pack down the mountain. The breakfast was great but a bit skimpy. Charlie enjoyed the local specialty cheddar cheese sausage.
We said goodbye to Dave who was headed back North to NH. The ride back was made particularly more enjoyable for Borb with a trip down memory lane for each extolling the virtues of cars they had owned. And thus it was for the 9th annual PhD Fall Classic.
