mount katahdin

It's a fun hike with options, a short trail to the summit or a longer one around the Mountain on the Appalachian Trail.

This mountain certainly kicked my butt - even so it was worth it. We took a long weekend and drove up from Rhode Island. The trip was wicked long but we finally arrived at our base camp. We bought some firewood, started up a fire and had dinner. The weather couldn't have been more perfect the first night but it did start raining the next day when we took to the trail. The trail out of the woods onto the mountain it self was very long and took forever. This mountain is the second most technical hike I've done (Rainier was certainly the most technical so far) but nothing that a well in shape person can't handle. As normal the climate at top was VERY windy and very wet - pack clothes for changes in extremes. Bring lots of snacks and water as you'll need it.

Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine at 5,269 feet (1,606 m). Named Katahdin by the Penobscot Indians, the term means "The Greatest Mountain". Katahdin is the centerpiece of Baxter State Park: a steep, tall mountain formed from a granite intrusion weathered to the surface. The flora and fauna on the mountain are typical of those found in northern New England. I first climbed to the summit of Mount Katahdin in the winter, January of 1989; which made it a much more challenging hike/climb than it is in the warmer months of the year. However; at this time I was climbing this in conjunction with an "Outward Bound" winter survival course; which I was completing at that time! Technically, it is not a difficult ascent; however the weather was extremely cold. I completed his climb to the summit and return in two, and 1/2 days. It was a great experience, and a lot of fun; with rewarding views, not available o the general public! Large patches of snow remain on the mountain well into late spring of each year, due to both its latitude, and the cold temperatures! With some effort this mountain can be summited, and return in one day; however its not very enjoyable, and I prefer taking my time, and enjoying he beauty of the mountains'. Katahdin was known to the Native Americans in the region, and was known to Europeans at least since 1689. It has inspired hikes, climbs, journal narratives, paintings, and a piano sonata. The area around the peak was protected by Governor Percival Baxter starting in the 1930s. Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and is located near a stretch known as the Hundred-Mile Wilderness.

Super hiking experience. Rugged, challenging, unspoiled. Remains true to the behest of Governor Baxter to preserve the area.

The only word for this is wow. This is not a beginners hike through the woodland path. This is a serious day's adventure for which you need to be well prepared. Proper hiking boots, at least 2 litres of water, food, and layered clothing. Physically difficult, as you will be doing as much climbing over boulders as walking, on many parts of the trail. Some parts are a little scary if you're not a fan of heights, but definitely gives you that adrenaline rush.We went up the Hunt trail (part of the Appalachian Trail) and if you are from out of state you need to reserve your parking spot on the trail head before hand. There's a handy place on-line at the park website. Can't stress this enough, especially on the weekends, as they fill up. You have to be at the parking spot by 7 or they give your spot away. I would be at the main gate before 6 (that's when it opens) and there is a line up. Anyway it was all good and we parked at Katahdin Stream trail head and started up the trail.The first mile or 2 are fairly easy, great spot to see the Katahdin stream waterfall (gorgeous) then the next 2 miles get progressively harder and harder as you are climbing up an old creek bed up the side of the mountain, climbing boulders that get larger and larger on the Hunt Spur to the tree line. We reached the top of the Hunt spur, and the views were breathtaking. Due to the lateness of the season, (it was COLD), clouds at the top of the mountain and our own inexperience, we decided to turn back at this point and never reached the summit. Still took us 3 hours to reach the point we did, and we were pretty proud of ourselves. Then took about 3.5 hours back down. Definitely don't forget that once you reach the top you are only half way done. Going down is as hard, if not harder than going up. Will return next year and try for the peak.

Breathtaking views that are worth the major effort it takes to reach the summit. We will definitely return to Chimney Pond campground. It was so beautiful to hang out on the rocky beach and gaze at the mountains.

Short Story- It was one of the hardest hikes I have done and worth every second. Knife Edge is pretty scary but not overly difficult if you have someone to give you a boost going through the Chimney.Long Story- My husband and I vacation on Ambajejus Lake every summer and watch the sun set over Katahdin each night. We hiked it once when we were 16 (up Helon Taylor and down Dudley) but I was too scared to cross Knife Edge and he has teased me ever since (he had hiked KE the previous summer and said it was not that bad). This summer we turned 30 and decided that as part of our “pre-kids bucket list” we were going to hike it again. I was worried about hiking it all in one day so I was lucky enough to make reservations at Chimney Pond, I knew this was going to be my best shot and I highly recommend doing this if you are nervous about hiking all those miles in one day.We left Roaring Brook around noon on the first day and started our hike into Chimney Pond to make it there before the 5pm deadline (I saw others hike in later so I am not sure if they hold you to this). It is only a few miles but took us a while to hike in; I swear Maine miles are longer than normal miles! We dropped our packs off at the bunk house and hiked over to Blueberry Knoll. The rangers were happy that we decided to do the 1 mile hike out there as not many people do. It has some of the best view of Baxter without climbing the mountain, I definitely recommend it (also had 4G cell service out there so we could send pictures to our families). I had 2 reservations in the bunk house, only cost $11 each but are very hard to get. I was nervous about staying in a bunk house with 8 other strangers in the middle of the woods but it honestly was not bad. Everyone is there for the same reason and it was a mix of families, friends and even a women hiking on her own, sure there was some snoring that night but there was no chance I was going to sleep anyway as I was so nervous/excited for the next day (bring a sleeping pad and ear plugs). Everyone in the bunk house was in bed by 9 and up by 5, breakfast down at Chimney Pond with the sun coming up was amazing.We started on Dudley Trail around 6 and made it up to Pamola Peak pretty quickly. The hike up was steep but I was able to pull/push myself up even though I do not have a lot of upper body strength. I was definitely intimidated looking out over Knife Edge but luckily another group of hikers set out in front of us and we just followed their lead. The Chimney is the hardest part of the hike, my husband had to guide my feet into place a couple times going down into the Chimney and give me a boost coming up the other side. This side of KE was definitely the scariest, I had to avoid looking down in a few sections but there were plenty of rock handholds, I never felt like I was in real danger (the weather was good, clear and not too windy). My husband stayed stone-faced but told me later on that it was MUCH scarier than he had remembered (that made me feel so much better!). The rest of the hike along KE to the peak seems long but not overly difficult. The peak was crowded and a mist had come up over the mountain reducing visibility, I was very happy that KE was behind us.I am a slow hiker and the hike down Saddle was exactly that, slow. We had brought 1 hiking pole each with us up the mountain and this helped a lot on the way down. My husband ran ahead to prepare our bags that we left in the bunk house and pump more water from the pond. The hike out back to Roaring Brook was long and in the rain. I just kept saying to myself “Just Keep Swimming” like in Finding Nemo lol (at this point I had 2 hiking poles and put a lot of my weight on them to help my aching knees, don’t think I would have made it back without the poles). We made it to the car around 6 (so we hiked about 3 hours the first day and 12 hours the second day, slower than average but I’m just happy we did it, 14.5 miles in total). We stopped for an appetizer and beer at Big Moose in before heading back to camp; I didn’t move a muscle in my sleep that night and slept like a rock (so sore I couldn’t even turn on my side!). It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, probably even harder than hiking through the Grand Canyon, switch backs are much easier to hike than rock to rock to rock. I feel amazing knowing that I conquered my fear of Knife Edge and pushed myself to finish. It was a great adventure to share with my husband and the views were amazing. It’s one of those things that you look back and think “Awe, its wasn’t that hard, LETS DO IT AGAIN!!!!”.

We climbed Katahdin via the Knife Edge on 10/20/14. The loop we did started in the Roaring Brook parking lot. 10.5 miles or so, 11 hours. Very difficult hike. Thrilling to be hanging onto rocks for dear life at a couple of points. All of the trails require fitness and determination. It's a tough and truly amazing mountain.

My nephew and I climbed Mt. Katahdin via the Hunt Trail, as we wanted to hike the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail together. Here are a few facts to begin with. I’m middle-aged, I work out, and consider myself to be in good physical shape. I trained for this hike by hiking with weights in my backpack for 4 months prior to hitting this trail (in addition to my other work-out regimen). None of that mattered. Perhaps none of that mattered because I was not mentally prepared for what this trail would present us with, and it was so mentally draining (at least to me), that it truly affected me physically. Please don’t let that deter you from summiting via this trail though because I have to admit that I have an intense fear of falling off into nothingness, which can quite possibly happen on this trail in some areas if you lose your footing – or more importantly, your mental focus. Having said that, it was grueling for me to work through these fears while perched on sheer facades of cliffs at times, or while trying to reach for iron rungs that were above my grasp, but that I HAD to grasp and pull myself up and over in order to continue the climb. So, just be prepared for these types of challenges if you plan to summit via the Hunt Trail. It is a beautiful trail, no doubt, but it can be quite cruel in areas! Those dump truck sized boulders are not easy to climb up, but they are fun to slide down as you descend (as long as you don’t mind shredding the rear portion of your hiking pants!!). All in all, I am VERY glad that I was able to summit (with MUCH encouragement from my nephew), as it was both an emotional and euphoric feeling and quite a sense of accomplishment too! Also, the views from the summit were absolutely awe-inspiring and well worth the climb. I felt as if I was looking down on a giant Google earth image! It was spectacular, and the memories of summiting Mt. Katahdin will live with me forever. Other views along the climb were amazing as well, as was the scent of balsam and pine in the forest, combined with the soothing sound of Katahdin Stream Falls when the hike began/ended. A true Maine experience in many ways!! One parting thought -- please be sure that you have a quality flashlight with you on this hike as well, just in case you are descending in any bit of darkness. Thankfully, my nephew had some sort of tactical and very powerful flashlight; whereas, mine was a knock-off brand that barely lit my path (it’s hard to tell how truly powerful [or powerless] a flashlight is until you are descending a mountain in a dense portion of forest!!), so spend a little more for a quality light or headlamp in order to ensure a safe hike. Have fun and pack a lot of food and water. You’ll need it!

Wow! Such an amazing trail. Great scrambling, great views,meeting AP finishers. A once in a lifetime hike.

This is a tough hike. Do not attempt unless you have hiking experience. There is no easy trail up this mountain. It takes a long time to climb. The reward is one of the finest views anywhere!

This is a very challenging hike (especially if, like us, you're a bit old!) but it is absolutely worth the effort. This is not a walk to be taken lightly, it will take a lot of effort and nerve and you may get back to the car-park feeling pain in all kinds of places. But it will have been worth it! And the car park will be the most beautiful car park you have ever seen! All the things people have written about this hike are true; it is a "must do". If you get back in one piece you will have bragging rights for ever!

Beautiful and very difficult. Lots of boulders. The views are spectacular but be ready to climb many rocks. We got to visit with AT through hikers which was fun.

But everyone already knows that. A rigorous and lengthy climb with spectacular views on a a good day. Also one of those things one must do if one resides in Maine or visits regularly for hiking. No question about it being worth the effort.

Heaven on Earth and almost close enough to touch Heaven itself. Beautiful land, water, and sky. Loons cry and run across the top of the lakes like only a loon can.