Mount Katahdin
The granddaddy of the long trails, the Appalachian Trail’s 2174.6 miles help preserve the sanity of between three to four million hikers each year—even if they only take a brief stroll on the trail. Only a fraction of those trail users attempt to walk the entire trail. In fact, of the 200 hikers who attempt the entire journey from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine each year, only around 20% complete the trek. Probably the most famous AT thru-hiker of all time was Emma Gatewood, better known as “Grandma Gatewood”. This mother of 11 children and grandmother of 23 completed the AT three times, the last time when she was 76. Which begs the question, If a grandmother can do it, why can’t you?
Entire Hike
Start: Springer Mountain, Georgia
End: Mount Katahdin, Maine
Length: 2174 miles (3498km)
Best Time to Hike: Start early March/April, end September
Weather/Climate: Forest, alpine
Favorite Hike: Mount Katahdin, Maine
Start/End: Katahdin Stream Campground
Length: 10.4 mile out-and-back dayhike
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best Time: Spring to fall
The AT’s northern terminus, Mt. Katahdin rises out of the Maine woods like something … well, like something you might see on the PCT or CDT. Simply put, the mountain is the most spectacular precipice the AT has to offer. The trail not only has our stamp of approval, but Henry David Thoreau’s, as well. Deciding he’d had enough of chilling out by the pond, Thoreau chronicled his 1846 summit attempt in his famous essay The Maine Woods. Thoreau never summited due to fog—he got lost and managed to sprain his ankle falling out of a tree. Despite all this, his impression of Katahdin inspired him to call for “national preserves, where no villages need be destroyed, in which the bear and panther, and some even of the hunter race, may still exist, and not be civilized off the face of the earth.”
The Hike
The first mile of this history-steeped trail meanders up through spruce-fir forest and boulders to Katahdin Stream Falls, a 50-foot thundering wall of water. Here, the trail picks up gradient, climbing over 1700 feet in the next mile and a half. After three miles of steady hiking, the AT breaks the tree line and emerges into alpine terrain. The trail then follows the Hunt Spur towards the summit. A series of iron rungs help hikers scale small cliffs on the way to Katharine’s “table land”. Here, the steep, rocky ridge suddenly gives way to a nearly flat alpine meadow studded with wildflowers. Follow the trail up to Thoreau’s spring, the famous writer’s high point where he got lost in the fog. One last uphill push brings you to the main summit, 5,267 foot Baxter Peak. At the top, you’ll see a 13-foot sign and massive cairn marking the AT’s northern terminus. Enjoy your accomplishment, then take a moment to wonder what it would feel like to reach this landmark after 2174.6 miles on the trail, like a handful of thru-hikers do each year.
Getting There
Take I-95 exit 56, follow ME 157 west to Millinocket, then signs to Baxter State Park. Just beyond the Togue Pond gatehouse, take the left fork of the gravel Tote Road and drive 8 miles to Katahdin Stream Campground and the Hunt/AT trailhead.
Miscellany
Don’t let Katahdin’s 5,267 foot elevation fool you—this mountain deserves respect. Much of the hike is above timberline, and unpleasant weather at the trail head can be life threatening near the summit. Insulating layers, wind protection, plenty of water, and common sense are essential to complete this strenuous hike. Also, get to the trailhead early in the morning (before 8:00), the rangers close the lot when it gets too full.
Resources
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Katahdin
- http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/index.html
- http://www.naturalbornhikers.com/Katahdin/MountKatahdin.htm
- Condon, Scherer, Weegar and Micheal Kodas. Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in Northern New England. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole,1999.
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Tags: continental divide trail, thru hiking, trip reports, wind rivers
I AM LOOKING TO HIKE KATADIN WITH EXPERIENCED HIKERS. ARE THERE ANY TRIP I CAN JOIN. THANKS, JOHN
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