With a few days to spend, I headed back into the West Canadas to witness the finishing of the reroute from last week. Jaime was heading in on Tuesday and I would go in on Wednesday. The trail crew from Tahawus Trails! have been finishing the stone work to support the newly cut trail.
I arrived at the Brooktrout trailhead just as the sky opened up. I put on my raingear and headed up the trail. The last time on this trail was with Jeff quite a few years ago. It was a hot weekend, close to 100. I recall the trail seems uphill both ways. At least it feels that way. About 10 minutes in, an odd pain in my left calf. The pain migrated to my shin. It progressively got worse. I slowed down. Even took some breaks. The breaks helped, but the pain would return. At times it was intense. Not sure what to make of it. Tendonitis from overuse the past week? Or the rocky uphill? I was going slow, and taking many breaks. I would give myself to Falls Pond junction and reassess. Ot has been an hour since I started, and I barely covered two miles. A short break and I would move again.
I crossed the open rock areas which side trails to Deep and Wolf Lakes eminated. A trail sign gave me mileage to Brooktrout and West. Farther than I remembered. At this point I was committed to at least get to Brooktrout. The trail got more and more grown in. The cool waterfall which gavd Jeff anx I temperature respite seemed less spectacular than I recalled in my memory. A couple washouts on the drainages required a work around. The trail crew had already created the path. At some point the shin pain disappeared. Not sure what it was all about. The rain also subsided, but the brushy trail would continue to wet me down. I had taken off my rain jacket early on as it was too hot.
Almost missed the turn on the trail and headed down a herd path for 15 yards. I think thd path would have intersected the main trail had I pressed on. Brooktrout was soon in view, but I still had the up & down trail to get to the eastern shore. At the lean-to I took a slightly longer break. I still had a few miles to go. Ate my lunch. The trail from here to West is more familiar as I came to Brookttout from thd French Louie Loop 2 years ago (I think). It was raining then too.
The trail is mostly level to West Lake, then it follows the north shore to the eastern side where Jaime and the trail crew were camped. I passed by some more familiar features which reminded me of my previous exploration here. Still more to do. As I approached the West Lake lean-to the faint smell of campfire let me know I was close. I have not seen the new lean-to location since it was moved last year.
At the lean-to was Nisha and ???. Jaime mentioned to them I might be arriving. The crew had all their packs and gear scattered jn the shelter. They had their tents set up nearby so I could crash in the lean-to later.
I set down my pack and headed to where the crew was working. I filmed a large chunk of the new trail with focus on the stone benching and steps. The crew did a great job. The trail was slick with fresh mud. About halfway I came to a few more crew members, Rachel, Jay, and Sophie. I asked if they would pose for a photo.
Jaime and Kevin were at the other end brushing in the now closed section of trail and putting up the new trail signs. As I was talking with the trio Kevin and Jaime joined us. I went with Jaime to put up the final signage on this end. I carried the wooden sign for her as she nailed up trail markers. Jaime's father was a forest ranger in these parts back in the 70s. He would be so proud of Jaime and her accomplishments here.
Jaime brushed in the old trail. I moved a branch or two, but could hardly refer to it as helping. It was all her. I filmed Jaime hanging the final sign to mark the "official opening of the reroute". We had joked about a ribbon cutting using flagging tape and a trail saw.
On the way back to the lean-to, Jaime would put up the last markers for this direction. Most of the crew was back. One, either Jay or Kevin was doing a bit more work on the reroute; smoothing out mud I think.
Back at the lean-to the crew cleaned up themselves and the tools. Dinner, games snd conversation ensued. After Nisha and Kevin headed off to bed, I took over Nishas spot in the game of pitch. Rachel and I mounted a comeback, but Jay & Jaime's lead was too much to overcome. Everyone eventually made their way to their tents as I set up my pad and quilt. I was asleep before I knew it.
I was awake early but tried to sleep in. Some of the crew were trying to stay quiet as they readied breakfast, or packed gear. I think they were trying to let me sleep not knowing I was already up. Soon camp was abuzz of stoves and coffee. The crew would be heading out. I still was not sure of my plans. I was going to let the weather dictate.
The crew shoved off with all their gear and tools on a makeshift catamaran built by Sophie and Nisha. I would leave an hour or so later towards Brooktrout to spend the night there.
In the early afternoon after I arrived at Brooktrout the sky cleared and it became a wonderful day. At one point a brief rain shower interrupted the sunshine for a few minutes. A nice evening came and went. I slept well again. I think it rained a bit more over night.
The hike out, again uphill, went much quicker without the leg pain slowing me down. I also waited until later morning to give the trail a chance to dry out some; at least the trees and side brush.
https://youtu.be/i2VZxxL6N_o?is=tOFmkUGe-SuL-M0R
