Katahdin 2009

[ALGonquin Bob]

I'm getting the itch to finally hike up Katahdin - maybe next summer. What is a reasonable itinerary for me, an old guy of.... ahhhh.... 50-something, who hikes year-round in the Adirondacks? I might go alone, as I often do in New York, but would welcome any not-too-fast company on the trail. AND, are there any gatherings planned that I could tag on to my hike plans?

 

[MichaelJ]

I'd say the most important thing is to plan a mini-vacation and try to get a reservation for three days in the park (plus driving days). That way, you can pick the best weather day for Katahdin and use your other time there to explore the ponds and smaller peaks.

The next question is whether to be on the west or east side of the mountain. I've not stayed at Roaring Brook (drive-in, east side) or Chimney Pond (hike-to, east side) so I'll let others provide the details, but I believe they provide the short way up.

If you want to stay on the west side, I recommend Katahdin Stream campground, which is directly on the AT (Hunt Trail). Anyplace else, you'll need to get up wicked early and drive to your starting point, but here you can roll out of your tent or lean-to and onto the trail.

If you're looking to finish the 4000-footers (67 Northeast plus your ADK 46 plus Catskills = "The 115") then make sure to grab both Baxter and Hamlin peaks on Katahdin, and use a day to tag North Brother, whose open summit has gorgeous views *of* Katahdin.

Want to climb more? The Owl and Doublehead are both very worthy peaks. The Owl leaves from Katahdin Stream campground, so if you stay there, you're already lined up for it. Doublehead can be done from Kidney Pond, or better yet from the Kidney access road, since that trail will take you past a series of beautiful ponds. Want to canoe or kayak, there are some available for $1 rental, or bring your own.

Read up on how reservations work, and all the good stuff, at http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/

 

[MikePS]

A nice way to do this is to stay at Chimmney pond for a couple of nights, you can do Hamlin, Saddle, Cathederal or the Knife from there. It also shortens the day as a 50 aggh myself, I find it helpful. It is a great spot to relax and look at what you just finished. second the other recommendations as well. A good resource is the book by Steven Clark.

 

[Rob S]

Hi Bob,

Peakbagr (Alan) and I have been talking about a trip to Baxter for the last couple of years. Several deaths in my family squashed further planning, but I'd love to try again.

I haven't hiked much in Maine (except during Boy Scouts) so I would be very flexible as to where to go, what to climb, where to camp, etc. I would be up for a basic, low-cost trip or an elaborate, pricey itinerary, or anything in between. I get tons of vacation time, so I'd prefer to do at least a week, but we can stay as long as you want and then I can opt to stay longer, solo or with others.

Don't give a second thought to your hiking speed. Fast or slow, doesn't matter to me.

So which month are you considering? I'll go whenever you want, but I think I'd prefer to avoid the worst of the black fly season. After the 4th of July? There are a lot of folks on the board who are intimately familiar with Baxter, so as much fun as it will be planning this, a wealth of information lies within a few keystrokes right here!

Rob

 

[Mountain49]

Climbing Katahdin

Hi,
I would be interested in joining you climbing Katahdin. I'm in my 50's also so not a fast hiker.
Mountain49
[email protected]
Julie

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

Rob, Alan, Julie - sounds like a mini gathering to me! I've never hiked in Maine, and haven't yet bought any books or maps; your recommendations there are appreciated as well. It looks like a 13-hour drive for me, so that's 2 days each way. Add at least 3 days in the park and I'll need a full week off of work. I don't get much vacation time, so I can pencil in maybe 8 days. I would love to hike with you folks, so let's start the process! As the Waterways chair for my local ADK chapter, I have already planned some trips, but will keep one week open between mid-July through August. I could leave Buffalo on a Friday or Saturday and arrive in Baxter on Saturday or Sunday. Let's see what works out for us and try to pick a week, or a 3-day summit window.

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

PS: Basic low cost (camping) is good for me.

 

[Frodo]

I don't have much to contribute, but all I have to say is try and get reservations for Chimney Pond. From there you can do the loop (up Cathederal, across the Knife Edge, and down Dudley, or even include Hamlin Ridge...

The true experience is to include the Knife Edge...

Bottom line: Katahdin is the most scenic mountain on the East side of the Rockies, so you are in for a treat....

 

[Rob S]

Thanks Frodo. Yes, I definitely want to include the Knife Edge. I briefly researched Chimney Pond, the reservation system, etc in 2006 ....... I just need to refresh my memory ...... more reading, ..... more research ...... and begin the fun process of planning this.

Thanks Bob for getting the ball rolling, I am psyched!

Rob

i12climbup at yahoo dot com

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

Let's do it!

Got the OK from Mrs. ALG, so it's a "go"! How about setting the hike for Monday July 13, with a window extending to Tuesday and Wednesday, in case of weather issues?

 

[BorealChickadee]

I've gone up Katahdin several times from Katahdin Stream. It's a great hike but on my wish list is from Chimney Pond. I'd say if you can get reservations there-go for it!

I'd allow several more hours than 13 from Buffalo. I know I'm a gentle driver but you're 3 hours from me (south of Syracuse) and once you even get to the gate you've got almost an hour's drive just to get to to where you'll park (assuming you get a spot at the south end).

Climbing Katahdin while staying at the north end is doable but not desirable. My last time I had to camp at Trout Brook and drove down for the climb. It was a long drive back up that night but the moose in the road made it enjoyable.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

... once you even get to the gate you've got almost an hour's drive just to get to to where you'll park (assuming you get a spot at the south end).

To emphasize a point in terms of logistics - if you stay in/near the closest town, Millinocket, it's about 45 minutes to the gate, and another hour from there to most trailheads as driving in the park itself is slow, not only because the posted speeds are low, but the roads are rough.

During the Knife Edge is great, but it creates a bit of a dilemma - do you want to do the Knife Edge or include Hamlin as part of the Baxter trip? (If you're not familiar with Baxter, the Knife Edge is in one direction, and Hamlin is in another.)

I'd also echo Michael's comments re: the Brothers, Coe, Fort, Marston, etc - they're all great peaks as well, and on the 111 list, if that goal is anywhere on the proverbial radar screen.

Edit - actually, IIRC, Fort is not on the 111 list but rather on the NEHH, and another peak or two I mentioned might be as well.

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

I'll be stopping for a night on my way up, so the drive time doesn't matter that much. I'm not familiar with any of those other peaks, but will start researching for add-on hikes while I'm there for a few days.

 

[Tuco]

During the Knife Edge is great, but it creates a bit of a dilemma - do you want to do the Knife Edge or include Hamlin as part of the Baxter trip? (If you're not familiar with Baxter, the Knife Edge is in one direction, and Hamlin is in another.)

If you stay at Chimney Pond and have lots of daylight - which July would bring , a great trip would be up Dudley, across Knife's Edge and descend Hamlin Ridge. Covers both sides of the basin and I think would be amazing. We had to forgo Knife's Edge due to wind but went up Saddle and tagged Baxter Peak and then backtracked to Hamlin Peak and down Hamlin Ridge Trail.

 

[BorealChickadee]

I'll be stopping for a night on my way up, so the drive time doesn't matter that much. I'm not familiar with any of those other peaks, but will start researching for add-on hikes while I'm there for a few days.

I frequently use Bradbury State Park about 15 minutes going west from the Freeport, Maine exit. I'm always arriving at night, just find a spot and they'll leave you a note on your car early morning regarding payment. There is only ONE weekend in the year you can't get a spot by not reserving and that's the weekend of the mountain bike race. And if you need to get sleepy, just go into Bean's for some late night fun.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

If you stay at Chimney Pond and have lots of daylight - which July would bring , a great trip would be up Dudley, across Knife's Edge and descend Hamlin Ridge. Covers both sides of the basin and I think would be amazing. We had to forgo Knife's Edge due to wind but went up Saddle and tagged Baxter Peak and then backtracked to Hamlin Peak and down Hamlin Ridge Trail.

Eric - That is a nice loop, but - there's a bit of a downclimb off Pamola which not everyone may be comfortable with. Generally speaking, it's easier to ascend tricky bits like this one rather than descend it, unless you're comfortable on rock. I know a few who take a length of rope who do Pamola first, just in case.

Also - if you do stay at Chimney Pond, doing these peaks is much easier. It's getting a reservation in mid-July for a non-Mainer that might be tricky though.

Kevin

 

[Peakbagr]

Might there be a down-Mainer here on the site that might care to join the fun ?

PM's greatfully accepted.

 

[DougPaul]

During the Knife Edge is great, but it creates a bit of a dilemma - do you want to do the Knife Edge or include Hamlin as part of the Baxter trip? (If you're not familiar with Baxter, the Knife Edge is in one direction, and Hamlin is in another.)

If you stay at Chimney Pond and have lots of daylight - which July would bring , a great trip would be up Dudley, across Knife's Edge and descend Hamlin Ridge. Covers both sides of the basin and I think would be amazing. We had to forgo Knife's Edge due to wind but went up Saddle and tagged Baxter Peak and then backtracked to Hamlin Peak and down Hamlin Ridge Trail.

In addition to the loop, one can do out-and-backs from Baxter to Hamin and/or the Knife Edge.

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

Eric - That is a nice loop, but - there's a bit of a downclimb off Pamola which not everyone may be comfortable with. Generally speaking, it's easier to ascend tricky bits like this one rather than descend it, unless you're comfortable on rock. I know a few who take a length of rope who do Pamola first, just in case.

Technically, the Baxter side of the Notch is harder. IMO, I wouldn't worry about the rope except in winter conditions. In summer, it is an easy scramble. When I did it in winter (both directions), the Baxter side of the Notch was mixed rock and ice while the Pamola side was an easy rock walk-up.

Doug

 

[Tuco]

Eric - That is a nice loop, but - there's a bit of a downclimb off Pamola which not everyone may be comfortable with.
Kevin

Kevin- agreed- me being one of them But I am hoping when I get there myself it will go fine.

No matter what you all do, you can't go wrong. Don't forget there are some great places in the backcountry to experience without the peaks and crowds if you have interest in backpacking.