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Hi, I'm Carey Kish
hiker, outdoors writer, and editor of the 10th edition of AMC's Maine Mountain Guide.
We're going to be talking today about hiking Mount Katahdin
in Baxter State Park in the wilds of northern Maine.
Katahdin is 5,268 feet in elevation
and it's Maine's highest mountain. It's an amazing hiking experience and one that
you're gonna love.
But there's a little bit of pre-planning that needs to go into it and we're gonna
tell you four things
you need to know before you go to Katahdin.
Baxter State Park is located 90 miles north of Bangor
by way of Interstate 95 and Maine's Route 157.
It's a long way to get there so you might want to consider spending a night
in Millinocket the night before you enter the park. There's no facilities inside
Baxter State Park
so Millinocket is your last best chance for getting groceries,
camping supplies, gas, and those kinds of things. There's also no potable water
within the park.
There's lake and stream water but you'll need to bring a method for purifying that.
Or you can bring your own water. If you're planning on camping overnight
—and there's lots of great opportunities. Tentsites, cabins, lean-tos, bunkhouses—
you'll wanna make advance reservations which are mandatory.
When you arrive at Baxter State Park you'll stop at Togue Pond Gate,
register, and pick up a park pass. Rangers there will be able to assist you with
directions and information about trails and camping.
While Baxter State Park is open all year, the best time to visit and climb Katahdin
is between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. My favorite time is
September
when the fall colors there can be spectacular. If you're going just for the day
a day-use parking reservation is highly recommended. You can obtain one from the
park in advance.
Five trails ascend Kathadin. From the west side, climb the Abol Trail
or the Hunt Trail which is also the last 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
From the east side at Roaring Brook you can climb via Helon Taylor Trail
or hike up into Chimney Pond and climb via the Saddle,
Cathedral, or Dudley trails. High on the mountain
the incredible but very exposed Knife Edge connects Pomola Peak
with Baxter Peak. All the trails on Katahdin are very long and arduous.
You'll take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours for an average hike
round trip so you wanna carry lots of food, water, and warm clothing.
The weather on Katahdin is similar to Mount Washington, but the longer access routes
can make it even more dangerous.
The upper summits are very rugged and exposed to the elements.
Weather and trail conditions can change quickly so be prepared and willing to
turn back.
Assess your hiking party and their abilities and go only as far as you're comfortable.
Take a map and keep track of your location, especially in low visibility conditions.
Climbing Katahdin is a GREAT experience. I've been to the summit 42 times over the
years and can tell you, it's a
terrific hike, not to be missed. I hope the tips we've shared here will
help you enjoy the mountain as much as I have.
Now, of course, be sure to consult the Maine Mountain Guide for more
detailed information
and other great Baxter State Park hikes. For the Appalachian Mountain Club,
I'm Carey Kish. Hope to see you on the mountain!