Our last full episode in the Hundred Mile Wilderness!  And rumors of trail magic propel us forward.

To date, we haven’t really talked much about specific hardships we endured in the Hundred.  Sure, we’ve mentioned the endless rocks and roots, but what were we really dealing with out there?  As we prepare to leave this legendary stretch of woods behind, let’s take a deeper look at what was difficult. 

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680745

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

In the second half of the Hundred Mile Wilderness, Muse and Wayfinder find themselves separated from the group that had formed in the first half.  We meet some new people, including our first NoBos on trail, but also spend a lot more time simply as a duo.

In the commentary of this episode, Muse also goes into some detail on how to keep your food (and yourself) safe from bears.

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680743

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

In this episode, we catch back up with Trash Panda and Loins of Arabia, as the crew receives their food drop!

Join Muse reflecting for a look into this fun interlude with Wayfinder, Metronome, Michaela, Chaps, Sunshine, Caveman and Dunk.

And check out SillyPutty’s band SlopTart life from West Philly! https://youtu.be/MOeTfVEhxTA?si=I_tdbQ1UKozDGPkW

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680624

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Monson, Maine is a place where many AT stories intersect. In this episode, we sit down with MargotPolo, the very first SloBo to cross paths with Wayfinder and Muse.

We ground our conversation right there in Monson before tracking MargotPolo’s incredible journey up to that point and forward from there—eventually meeting Ratatouille and Utogg and  officially joining the SloBos, where we later will push all the way to the southern terminus at Springer Mountain together!

Follow Muse on Instagram: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Not every day on the trail is an epic battle against the elements. Today was just a genuinely good, light-hearted day in the woods. On the eve of a scheduled food drop, a handful of southbounders cross paths. This episode is all about the simple joy of trading stories and enjoying the beautiful, quiet spaces of the Hundred Mile Wilderness.

In the commentary, hear Muse go into what trail food was like early in the journey.

Read the original written journal entry: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/68062

See the photos from this day on the trail: @musehikes on Instagram

Say hello, share feedback, or ask a question: [email protected]

Summit Ready Apparel: https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

The Hundred Mile Wilderness throws its first real mood shift at us as we trek through chilly temperatures and a persistent light rain.

But a soggy day on the trail gets a major bright spot: the podcast got mail! In this episode, Muse reads and responds to the very first listener messages to land in the inbox.

Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680622

See the photos from this entry on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/musehikes

Questions, feedback or just want to say Hi!  [email protected]

Please visit our sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel  https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill  https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

We’re climbing mountains, taking in the incredible views, and sorting out our backcountry logistics!

In this episode, we dive deeper into what daily life is really like inside the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Plus, we're talking about the physical reality of the trail—specifically, how my knees are holding up after a few days of pounding the dirt.

Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680621

See the photos from this entry on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/musehikes

Questions, feedback or just want to say Hi!  [email protected]

Please visit our sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel  https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill  https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

Our first full day in the legendary Hundred Mile Wilderness!

As we find our rhythm on the trail, we’re meeting new friends and adjusting to life off the grid. In this episode, we dive into the topic of technology in this isolated stretch: how were we using our phones and what were we using them for? 

Follow the written journal here:  https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680515

See the photos from this entry on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/musehikes

Questions, feedback or just want to say Hi!  [email protected]

Please visit our sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel  https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill  https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

The journey continues! Out of Baxter State Park and into the 100 Mile Wilderness!

This is a great day, fording streams, meeting new people, and there’s ice cream!

Follow the written journal here: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680461

See the photos from this entry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musehikes

Questions, feedback or just want to say Hi! [email protected]

Please visit our sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel  https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill  https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ

In today's episode, I sit down with my very first hiking partner—my daughter Haley, trail name "Wayfinder."

Haley was right by my side from day one, navigating everything from the climb up Mount Katahdin through the grueling logs and bogs of the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Tune in to hear a high-level recap of June 2025 entirely from her perspective, tracking the highs, the hurdles, and what the experience of stepping onto the Appalachian Trail was truly like for her.

Check out Haley’s trailjournal!: https://trailjournals.com/journal/entry/680287

See the photos from this entry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musehikes

Questions, feedback or just want to say Hi! [email protected]

Please visit our sponsors!

Summit Ready Apparel  https://summit-ready-apparel.printify.me/

Walk Up Hill  https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Up-Hill-Bounce-Hiker/dp/B0F3G44MJJ