Do you believe in MAGIC?

Gulf Hagas is part of the Appalachian Trail (AT) Corridor.For a short distance the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail follows the AT. The section of the AT which goes through Gulf Hagas is called the Hundred-Mile Wilderness. This is the final 100 miles (160 km) of the AT and is viewed by many as the most remote and difficult portion.

The Thompson Family camp-out at Roach Pond happened from Aug 17-22. Judd's mission was to find a place where the Frenchtown Road/Moosehead Lake/Greenville roads/old camp haunts crossed the AT so he could unload his 16 hamburgers and his packages of red hot dogs and devil dogs to hikers.

On Aug 19, Kelcy and I left Judd on the road east of Greenville toward Katahdin Iron Works, with his BBQ in the red pick up truck. While Kelcy and I hiked to Gulf Hagas, Judd delivered "trail magic": iced PBRs and seltzer water, grilled burgers (cheese, lettuce, condiments) and red hot dogs for hikers: some day hikers, some through hikers, some section hikers.

When Kelcy and I were done for the day, forging ankle deep in the Pleasant River, we caught up with Father Goose, burning his last two burgers for the late afternoon hikers coming down the hill into the 100 mile wilderness.  Unfortunately "Cookie" (a baker from Pennsylvania) was a vegetarian, so she scarfed up our watermelon and appreciated Judd's cold beverages. RIght behind her was "Ninja Hoops" (we suspect from her large earrings) who appreciated the fully loaded burger and kept saying it was the best day of her hike. They allowed me to photograph them with Father Goose. As we were packing up and Kelcy downed the last burger, a nice guy from Mexico "Speedy Gonzales" trekked by and was happy to nab some oranges and apples, even devil dogs (when we explained what they were.) Another perk for the hikers: Judd took out any garbage they had stored up.

Cookie (through hiker) Ninja Hoops (flip flopper) and Father Goose - "just 65 miles to Katahdin"