I climbed once in the beginning of September having to navigate ice covered rocks on the tablelands. The climb is challenging, so you need to be in good shape, and the Knife Edge is amazing for us adrenaline junkies who love heights, but you have to be patient with those on the trail who are intimidated by the conditions. Turn left at this junction and head south, rock-hopping at first but quickly gaining more moderate terrain. Ive made knife edge in an hour and a half so I figure if it takes 2 we still have 3 hours of light to make it back to the car. After around 1.5 to 2 hours of steady climbing, the trail reaches the bottom of the slide. Maybe TJ knows what happened. For a complete trail guide of this hike, please visit: https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/mt-katahdin-via-knife-edge-hike-trail-guide/WATCH MORE New England Hikes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjce9PH2Pl75CEgiw0zeUF8r6aIbdILe1YDS Class System Explained: https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/yds-class-system-explained/Purchase Virtual Sherpa Gear Here! You would smell too after hiking 2,190 miles over the course of 5-7 months. The Knife Edge Trail is very rugged in places - the Chimney is almost a technical climb. Realizing later I should have returned by saddle trail and chimney pond I decide the shortest way is the original plan across knife edge, except my girlfriend isnt going to be up to it. The Best Loop, 9 Mi. Copyright 2020 WABI. I and a few classmates from Bowdoin again sheltered at Chimney Pond, climbed to the summit (timed to arrive just before sunrise, which we did), and again did the Knife Edge. In this video, we hike up to Baxter Peak, the top of Mt. We opted out of our adventure and made the very disappointing hike back down to the car. And lessons learned. Katahdin stands at 5,269 feet tall. Camping or sleeping in your vehicle at the gatehouse is not allowed. Be sure to pack a lightweight EMS. This will be the trail that you finish your loop on, and if poor afternoon weather conditions are forecast you may want to do this loop in reverse. When we eventually summitted the mountain, we couldnt decide if we should take the easy way (Saddle) as the article suggests, or go down Cathedral. Fourtrails, ninemiles, two peaks. Luckily its July 17 and we didnt get too cold having sufficient gear. Hes proud to call New Hampshire his home and loves outfitting customers for their next adventure while working at the EMS in Portsmouth. We respect your privacy. Make your way to the Togue Pond Gatehouse as early as you can. Saddle is longer, but not quite as steep,and hasloose-rockterrain. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This setting should only be used on your home or work computer. Most of the edges are very steep but not sheer. Subscribe below for full access to a library of free Travel Itineraries. I climbed Mt Katadin back in 68 or69 with my CT Girlscout troop. Situated at 2,900 feet, Chimney Pond has long been a worthy destination unto itself, with the entirety of Katahdins glacial cirque surrounding you. This hike is a serious undertaking and many hikers underestimate it. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. Preparing for rain on a trip is always a challenge. Access to the mountain is controlled by the campsites and parking spots which can be reserved in advance and are also available on a first-come first-served basis. Kick off your shoes and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Upper Togue Pond after your hike. Our decision-making skills kept us from traversing Knife Edge and making it to Katahdin in August of 2019. The trip generally takes about 5 hours from the Boston area, and basic lodging and services such as gas and groceries can be found in town. Yes! You can also hike this same loop in reverse!
If youre prepared and careful, however, the 360-degree view of the incredible rocky trail and inner basin are sights worth seeing. The first time we started at about 6 a.m. and returned by dusk. Follow More of Our Adventures on Instagram. It connects Pamola Peak to Mount Katahdin. MILLINOCKET, Maine (WABI) - A Massachusetts man has died after a hiking accident in Baxter State Park. The sharp descent and immediate ascent between Pamola Peak and Chimney Peak at beginning of Knife Edge Trail is essentially 90-degree vertical. Officials say 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. Energy chews are another great item to bring along as well. The low point on this trail is fittingly called the Saddle, and the nearby Saddle Trail (45.91388, 68.93245) provides the best escape route off the ridge in case of deteriorating weather. Both the hike and the drive home will take longer than you expect, so consider booking a campsite or a room back in town to rest up and refuel after a long day. Reservations are held until only 7 a.m., so plan on arriving early and waiting in a line of cars during peak season. You still need to gain thousands of feet in elevation, however, youre able to do so in more mileage. Exhilarating and difficult but not too hard. Author: Bill Green (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 2/20/2017 9:05:02 PM Updated: 7:01 PM EST February 21, 2017 (NEWS CENTER) The outdoor world was shocked to learn of the death of John Stetson, 68 of . Spent a lot of time inching along on the knife edge on my rear. He and his 25-year-old nephew lost . In downtown Millinocket, about an hour away from the park,youll finda number of inns, cabins, lodges, camping, and bed-and-breakfasts. It requires a bit of true climbing and some skill in finding footholds especially if you have short legs. File photo of Knife's Edge on Mt. Four of us drove there and spent a few days camping at a lean-to shelter at Chimney Pond. The cleft off of Pamola is no joke, going down or up out of it. Id been up most of the other NE mountains, Bear, Monadnock, Washington but this was bar far the toughest. Officials say 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. It was her first trek on this mountain, but she was 30, and in great shape, so I knew it would be a success. Thanks for the tips on hiking the mountain! Theyre incredibly neat individuals who have so many stories to tell; if theyre looking to share, you should take a listen!Its also important to realize that theyre probably going to smell like really bad. All rights reserved. Unsubscribe at any time. Our route:Roaring Brook Campground parking, up the Helon Taylor Trail to Pamola Peak, across Knife Edge Trail to Baxter Peak, down Saddle Trail to Chimney Pond Trail and back to the parking area. The Shortest, 7.3 Mi. And I can't find any details. Learn from our mistakes to make hiking Mount Katahdin your realtiy! That decision really helped, because I was sucking fumes toward the end. Chimney Pond can be seen far below and the daunting Knife's Edge trail presents itself as the crux of this loop. There is another ranger station here, as well as a bunkhouse and a handful of lean-tos for campers that have reserved sites. I decided to re-tackle this peak via the Knife Edge trail which is one of the most exposed hikes in all of New England. This loop tackles five notable summits in the heart of Maines fabled Baxter State Park. He knows our route but being nightime doesnt send anyone to look for us. If youre hiking for the day and not staying at the parkovernight, thereare multiple trailheads at which to park and begin the hike, all of which require online reservations(parking areas are capped at a certain number of vehicles). Make sure you are either camping in the park or get there *before* 7am. According to a tweet from his son, MacGillis was a journalist who had worked as an editor for the Berkshire Eagle and the Boston Globe. It is also the usual starting point for a traverse of the Knife Edge. Trekking poles will come in handy to keep your balance but you may need to stow them at times while clinging to the rock with both hands. Staying at one of the campgrounds in Baxter State Park will get you closest to the trails on the day of your hike. Mentally challenging as well as physical, I spent several instances at points where I could straddle the ridge and ponder what I was trying to prove. Katahdin is a great challenge but it is so much more than just another hike. Connecting the Helon Taylor Trail to the Knife Edge Trail, Pamola Peakis a great spot fortaking a break on a nice day. Sure, but if youre a typical typeB person like me, for your own safety, be prepared for a long, intense day that you will be talking about long after you return home. Its possible youll even meet folks completing the incredible 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail thru-hike, as Mount Katahdin is the final destination on thatroute after the Hundred-Mile Wilderness. Some of the more popular include: Budget Hotels in the nearby town of Millinocket, 20 miles from Baxter State Park: There are no dogs allowed in Baxter State Park. Beware of Kahtadin! According to a page on the Brookings-Smith website, he graduated from Bangor High School in 1966 and The University of Maine. I grew up in the distant shadow of MT Katahdin. July 10, 2021 Hiking. : The Saddle Trail may be considered the easy route, however, its still no joke. My wife and I hiked Mount Katahdin twice first over Labor Day weekend in 1977 (both in our early 20s) and second in October 2014 (37 years later you can do the math on our ages!) It might seem crazy to pack these items in the heat of summer, but you never want to be sorry you didnt. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. Percival P. Baxter, once the governor of Maine, donated the land of Baxter State Park to create, protect, and provide the people of Maine a wilderness area. I made seven more trips over the next 5 or 6 years and Summited 5 times including two trips across knifes edge. Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. Katahdin, the second death this week, Two women missing from Topsham area found safe in East Hancock, Clinton man dies after vehicle rolls into water, Garrett-Reed to lead the Office of Affordable Health Care, Harm reduction advocates defend Maine doctor facing opioid distribution charges. The Chimney Notch at Pamola Peak is a steep vertical climb (down & up the other side), so keep a lookout for climbers above you who might dislodge a rock. When the Rangers open the gate at 6 AM, they will instruct all cars waiting for Katahdin First Come First Serve parking spots to pull over to the side. !! This last mile climbs steadily on a well-constructed trail of pink granite, and Mount Katahdins well-known summit sign finally appears to greet hikers from near and far. If weather looks bad though turn around and head in. The stewards of Baxter State Park are some of the best in the business, and they know when the weather isnt looking good for travel above treeline. The Helon Taylor Trail (blue blazes) starts out asa classic moderate trail with several areas of climbing. After lunch, we departed Baxter Peak and returned to Roaring Brook via the Saddle and Chimney Pond trails. Its possible to descendto the Chimney Pond Trail and Roaring Brook Campground via either the Saddle Trail or Cathedral Trail. We stayed at a hotel in Millinocket and made it to the gate early, but there was already a long line of cars. The hike concluded with a down climb Cathedral Trail to Chimney Pond. Facebook: http://facebook.com/outsidechronicles Instagram: http://instagram.com/outsidechronicles Website: http://www.outsidechronicles.com Along with packing high-protein snacks, its imperative that you pack enough water for your hike. Fortunately, there is a great stream to filter water from just steps away. Its just a couple of steps, but it is surprising. From Pamola peak to Baxter Peak (the Knife edge plus the somewhat broader ridge betweeen Baxter peak and South peak) is about a mile, with 2000' of gain on the approach from Chimney Pond. Chimney Pond can be seen far below and the daunting Knifes Edge trail presents itself as the crux of this loop. The better option will be to continue following the blue blazes along the Helon Taylor trail, following the spine of the Keep Ridge and eventually below tree line. The other red tape to be aware of is that Baxter State Park has some seriously old-fashioned rules and regulations. There are a number of campgrounds within Baxter State Park where you can lay your head after hiking Mount Katahdin. On the Knife Edge, I asked for permission to go around a guy who was butt-crawling along, and took a moment to encourage him, telling him that he could do it, and that he was one of the few people in the world who dared to even try. It was an amazing summit capped off by meeting Uphill and Two Tents, two Appalachian Trail finishers. Okay, I made that last one up but you get the idea. All rights reserved. Keep in mind that the shortest trail isnt necessarily the easiest. A Day Use Reservation will be held for you until 7:00 AM on the day of your planned hike; after this time, your spot will be given to other hikers on a first come first serve basis.Maine residents have a leg up on other hikers. This spot may be one of the highlights of your trip! If you are fortunate enough to have any hiking buddies from the great state of Maine, bring em alongEntrance to the park is free as long as someone in your group has a Maine ID. The 3.2-mile trail with 3,413 feet of elevation gain is rated as very strenuous, and it should not to be attempted in bad weather due to its level of exposure. Listen to the rangers. I would not do it again because of all the people on the trail. I don't remember the incident. Ive enjoyed it no matter what challenges the mountain and weather have thrown at us. gtag('js', new Date()); After 2 months of therapy for my fracture, we were off to Mount Katahdin.Mount Katahdin, meaning \"Greatest Mountain\", stands 5269 feet overlooking the fall foliage of Baxter State Park. A full-time teacher who fits adventures near and far into every little nook and cranny of her life! Katahdin. MILLINOCKET, Maine (WABI) - A Massachusetts man has died after a hiking accident in Baxter State Park. Take your time to enjoy the sweeping views that surround you, as AT thru-hikers approach across the Tableland and distant lakes sparkle in nearly every direction. Katahdin in Maine using the Helon Taylor Trail. I always had great weather. It should only be attempted by experienced, prepared hikers with good decision-making skills. I really enjoyed the classic New England hike starting out in the woods on nicely sloped trails, to be greeted by more and more boulders before exiting the trees, then, WHAM, you step out of the trees facing a rock face requiring you to use a re-bar and your hands and feet to get up it. Advertisement He. You can make a Day Use Reservation for the parking lots at Roaring Brook, Abol, or Katahdin Stream Campgrounds. Shes not as comfortable jumping from rock to rock, billy goat-style. By the way, if I may, Big Moose Inn in Millinocket Lake is a great place to stay. In this video, we hike up to Baxter Peak, the top of Mt. Hiking in September allowed time without black flies and less mosquitos. Example video title will go here for this video. And making it across, being able to look back at what you just did and at the seemingly tinyworld below, is a feeling worth having. In the end, and a week or so later, she said she was glad she did it, but was glad this was the last of our peak topping that vacation. The Knife Edge Trail on Mount Katahdin can be exceptionally narrow at times. All, I am very sorry to report the death of my father, newspaper journalist Donald MacGillis, after a hiking accident on Mt Katahdin in Maine. Ive hiked Kahtadin four times by 3 routes. Keep Maine beautiful. According to a tweet from his son MacGillis was a journalist who had worked as an editor for the Berkshire Eagle and the Boston Globe. Our typical 2 mph average speed was reduced to .9 mph which was both humbling and also why we underestimated the amount of water that we should have brought. She never did. This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. But one state over and roughly 200 miles away, there stands a mountain that draws adventurers from all over to the rural back roads of Maine, the lush forests of Baxter State Park, and trails that are more like a game of rocky hopscotch. Pull over and get a picture with this local landmark, and keep your eyes peeled for wild Maine blueberries that grow everywhere along this stretch road in early to mid-summer. Ive been up the mountain twice, once via the Knife Edge. If your desired campground and/or parking lot is full, youll have to look elsewhere. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. It is very important that you pack multiple high-energy snacks for your trip. All publicly accessible roads in theparkareopen during this time. The first view up Katahdin is at around 2.4 miles, but the "peak" that is visible is actually just where the slide turns into the "Tableland" plateau. Unfortunately, my wife had a different opinion and was ready to throw me off the mountain! having done both Cathedral and Knife Edge, I would recommend either doing one or the other. (Wife wasnt so happy with that hike, either!). Also, hiking in Baxter is very different than say, the White Mountains as everything seems to take much longer than one would think. If youre forced to take your chances on a first come first serve parking space, you need to be prepared to wake up early. They got in touch with authorities who told them to shelter in place until daylight. Once on top of Chimney Peak (45.90525, 68.90649), the single most difficult move of the traverse will present itself. They simply werent the proper conditions for traversing Knife Edge, thus leaving us with no choice but to return to our trailhead without reaching the summit. Hiking Mount Katahdin is the final push for North Bound Appalachian Trail Thruhikers. With over 4 inches of rain overnight, the Knife Edge and other trails were washed out. It is very special and I recommend it to anyone who wants to see Maines untouched beauty. We were in Millinocket to go white water rafting and camping. Carrying a variety of these in your pack should guarantee you have the energy to tackle Mount Katahdin. They can make a Day Use Reservation for any time in the summer season as of April 1. Alpha Guide: Hike the Knife Edge on Katahdin, Why Skiers Love Waterville Valley Ski Area, Escape the Winter Cold in Floridas Big Cypress National Preserve, Get a grip on this loops gnarly trails with the Salomon, Make every thru-hiker jealous with a fresh pair of Farm to Feets, We all know that mountain weather could change in an instant out on the trails. Whether theyre looking to complete the Appalachian Trail or hike the highest mountain in Maine, summiting Katahdin is their answer. The first day we climbed to the second lake. After breaking my ankle while running, we had to. Next up in 5. Baxter Peak - Mount Katahdin. Post your experience and the trail conditions (with the date of your hike) in the comments for others! Scenery:. Filled with relatable travel stories, adventure itineraries, and travel tips for any budget! Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. FOLLOW Me! Another hiker dies on Mt. Shes now exhausted. Glad I did it. This is a fun class 2 scramble with a section of class 3 hiking. Inching across a mile of loose boulders in pursuit of a beautiful summit is an experience worth having. Much of the Mount Katahdin hike is in maximum exposureand the weather can change quickly, so be sure to have at least twoquarts of water, a working flashlight, durable hiking boots, rain gear and extra clothing, a detailed map, high-energy foods, and first-aid supplies. A 75-year-old Massachusetts man died Wednesday after he got lost hiking near the top of Mount Katahdin and fell while spending the night on the mountain awaiting rescuers. Being above treeline means you are fully exposed to the elements including wind, rain, hail, fog, lightning, snow, and cold. Part of me wants to do the AT someday, but that thing look terrifying! Reading a book about the AT and investigating Knife Edge. Knifes Edge in my 20sno problem. Distance: 11.8 miles, round-trip Its the second death on the mountain in as many days. But, Im glad I did it. Cathedral is very steep with toughterrain, but a shorter distance. Katahdin is a tough hike. Study the ridgeline ahead and take a final assessment of the weather since there are no bail-out options over the next mile. Great experience. Breaking above the tree line on the Helon Taylor Trail bringssome tougher climbing but also beautiful views. From Pamola Peak, the hike begins with a steep descent down jagged boulders, followed by an equallysteep ascent more of a tactical climb than hiking, really before flattening out into a narrow, rolling ridge of rocks. Donald MacGillis, a. First 3 with a friend my hiking equal or more and at around 30 yrs old not hard, but challenging. Maine snow totals: A town-by-town look at Tuesday's storm. Oddly enough, I am not particularly comfortable with heights that have sheer dropoffs but I didnt find the Knife Edge all that scary. Whilenot quite as rough, the rockiness of the hike does not ease up after summiting Baxter Peak. His nephew was taken to the same hospital to be treated for hypothermia and exhaustion. This ridgeline is as narrow as four feet, with 2,000-foot drops on either side in some places. Adding instance and elevation gain to your training hikes will help you get a real feel for what hiking Mount Katahdin will be like.Strength training will also complement your hiking abilities. : Start at Roaring Brook Campground and take the Helon Taylor Trail to Knife Edge which will bring you to Baxter Peak, or Mount Katahdin. Climbing the Deadly Knife Edge of Mt. The trail starts out quite mellow and you will immediately pass the Helon Taylor trail junction on your left. The first time started the day after I graduated from Saugus High School (MA) in 1950. Katahdin is most commonly hiked as a day hike. The Knife's Edge is an epic approach to Baxter Peak. We won't send you spam. This is a great article. The friends and family made these trips some of my favorite time spent anywhere. There is no additional charge to you. It took us around 10 hours, including a 30 min or so lunch at the top. MacGillis was flown to a Bangor hospital but did not survive. As these become easier and you learn more about the great outdoors, start to increase the distance of your hike and the weight of your pack. This is why we suggest saving Knife Edge for your return hike! Have you ever hiked Mount Katahdin? Dehydration will debilitate you before hunger will. With a breakfast and sixteen hrs of sleep a more serious situation had been avoided with a story told many times. I still hike the many trails available to me in mid-coast Maine but I always dream about my next trip to Katahdin. Head south, rock-hopping at first but quickly gaining more moderate terrain for a traverse the... Adventures near and far into every little nook and cranny of her life push for North Appalachian. Almost a technical climb hike this same loop in reverse 5 times including two across... With heights that have sheer dropoffs but I always dream about my next trip to in. Plan on arriving early and waiting in a line of cars too cold sufficient... 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