Sunbeams spotlight brilliant fall colors in Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness, as seen from Whitecap Mountain along the Appalachian Trail. This shot was taken on my second journey across the state following this fabled footpath, on what was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding hikes I've ever taken.The weather was my constant nemesis on this one, beginning with torrential rains that turned the trail to muck and left rivers swollen and nearly impassable. This eventually gave way to heavy snow and ice as I continued to work my way southbound. I was pushed to every limit- physically, mentally, in persistence, patience and experience- but the tradeoff came in reminders of what I'm capable of accomplishing, and of course, in views like this.