View Full Version : Trees at Katahdin Stream?
I'm leaving for Maine and a SOBO start in about 2 weeks and have decided to get a hammock so I don't have to lug around my Seedhouse 2 tent. Since I have a tent site reserved at Katahdin Stream campground (Baxter State Park) for the first two nights I was wondering if there are any trees at those campsites to hang from or will I be rigging the hammock as a tent? I won't have much chance to practice hanging the thing before then, much less setting it up as a tent so I'll probably look like an idiot...oh, well.
DawnTreader
06-20-2006, 12:57
I had the same question.. however, i was also wondering about the tree situation at roaring brook campground?? are there rules against hanging in baxter??
Hana_Hanger
06-20-2006, 14:36
http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/rules/allrules.html
There's all the rules and I did not see anything stated in them about no hammocks allowed:D
I'm leaving for Maine and a SOBO start in about 2 weeks and have decided to get a hammock so I don't have to lug around my Seedhouse 2 tent. Since I have a tent site reserved at Katahdin Stream campground (Baxter State Park) for the first two nights I was wondering if there are any trees at those campsites to hang from or will I be rigging the hammock as a tent? I won't have much chance to practice hanging the thing before then, much less setting it up as a tent so I'll probably look like an idiot...oh, well.
My memory tells me that most campsites at Katahdin Stream and Roaring Brook have trees. However if someone is driving you to Maine, I would bring my tent along also, just in case, assuming your ride can take it back.
I wouldn't plan on using a hammock unless you have tried it for a few days at least. Some love hammocks. Some tolerate them. A few find them impossible to use.
Weary
Shutterbug
06-20-2006, 15:55
I was wondering if there are any trees at those campsites to hang from or will I be rigging the hammock as a tent?
Here is a picture of one of the camp sites at Katahdin Stream Camp Ground. As I recall, all of the camp sites are in wooded areas.
I would say that it is more accurate to say that most of the sites are in wooded areas. Of course, the sites are mainly clear of trees so you would really be on the outside edge of the site and as you can see from the picture alot of the trees are pretty close together. As mentioned by Weary, if you can swing it you might be better of having a tent with you.
bearbag hanger
06-20-2006, 17:22
I stayed at Katahdin Streams CG on June 1st. I was able to use my hammock, but had to be in one of the shelters or lean-tos. The lean-tos have eye bolts specifically put there for hammocks. They don't like you using the trees at the campgrounds. Too many hammocks and it will kill the trees.
See my photo of my hammock at:
http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=154452
TJ aka Teej
06-20-2006, 19:08
I was wondering if there are any trees at those campsites to hang from
The tentsites are for tents only. There might be trees galore behind and beside, but you have to stay on the tent pad. Most hammocks can be used as a bivy, can yours? What site did you get?
Nice shot of Tentsite 19, Shutterbug!
You can hang in the leantos, but I wouldn't trust the eyebolts. They're there for hanging bluetarps and rainflies on.
Northbounders can hang at the Birches Campsite. Nice trees over the tent platform.
As far as hammock specific rules, if the Authority was to pass any it'd probably be a total ban.
boarstone
06-20-2006, 19:51
http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/rules/allrules.html
There's all the rules and I did not see anything stated in them about no hammocks allowed:D
....just giv'em a little more time and they will....
I'm planning to hike with a hammock, but I'll be bringing a tent for use at BSP. Partly that's because my husband will be with me there, and a tent seems friendlier.
DawnTreader
06-20-2006, 22:53
My drop off will be bringing a tent with room for plenty, so if I can't hammock, no big deal....however... I would prefer to use the hammock..
I have tentsite 17 at KSC..
Leanto 8 at Roaring Brook...
How many people do they jam in those little leanto's, or are they one per reservation (2 people?)
It looks like I have site number 18 reserved. I'll probably just plan on setting the hammock up as a tent. I have a MacCat tarp coming that should make a nice little shelter w/hiking poles, along with a Hennessy UL. I know I'm breaking a cardinal rule by buying new equipment at the last minute and not having a chance to get acquainted with it but I'll have plenty of time to figure it out before I get to Georgia :rolleyes:.
DawnTreader
06-20-2006, 23:54
its not rocket science.. you'll do alright.. I'd at least get the lash or knot you will use down before you leave....
Whats your dates?? I'll be at KSC #17 on june 29th..
I second the test your hammock BEFORE hitting the trail. If I hadn't, first day on the trail would have ment sending the hammock home. Now that I have the set up down, I can't wait to get in my hammock. YMMV.
Have a great hike.
Doctari.
I used a hammock at Abol Bridge, but it is just outside of the park.
B Thrash
06-21-2006, 21:24
I used a hammock at Abol Bridge, but it is just outside of the park.
Abol Bridge is 10 or 11 miles from Baxter State Park. You could hang your hammock anywhere along Katahdin Stream which the AT runs outside the bounderies of Baxter State Park.
I stayed at Katahdin Streams CG on June 1st. I was able to use my hammock, but had to be in one of the shelters or lean-tos. The lean-tos have eye bolts specifically put there for hammocks. They don't like you using the trees at the campgrounds. Too many hammocks and it will kill the trees.
See my photo of my hammock at:
http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=154452
:) wow cool hammock picture,i like it:cool: neo
Abol Bridge is 10 or 11 miles from Baxter State Park. You could hang your hammock anywhere along Katahdin Stream which the AT runs outside the bounderies of Baxter State Park.
I believe a purchase a few years ago, brings the boundary within a few hundred (thousand?) yards of Abol Bridge.
its not rocket science.. you'll do alright.. I'd at least get the lash or knot you will use down before you leave....
Whats your dates?? I'll be at KSC #17 on june 29th..
I'll be at Baxter on July 5th and 6th so I don't guess I'll see you unless I can catch up to you at some point. Good luck and smooth the trail out for me as much as you can...
bearbag hanger
06-22-2006, 00:36
:) wow cool hammock picture,i like it:cool: neo
Thanks and by the way, the eye bolts held with no bending or other problems. According to the ranger, they were put there to take the force of a hammock. Just wish one hammock didn't take up the whole entrance to a lean-to.
TJ aka Teej
06-22-2006, 08:30
Abol Bridge is 10 or 11 miles from Baxter State Park. You could hang your hammock anywhere along Katahdin Stream which the AT runs outside the bounderies of Baxter State Park.
Nope, the Park Boundry is only 1/2 mile from the Abol Bridge. No camping inside the Park except at designated campsites.
How many people do they jam in those little leanto's, or are they one per reservation (2 people?)
I believe each party gets their own leanto. The number of people depends on the size of the leanto. At Chimney POnd it's four people per leanto. I don't recall the size of the Katahdin Stream Leantos.
DawnTreader
06-22-2006, 12:44
MandoMike...
You might catch me.. I take it slow and easy...no rush for me!! have a great time..
BearBag Hanger..
The ranger approved of putting the hammock up??
bearbag hanger
06-23-2006, 00:47
MandoMike...
BearBag Hanger..
The ranger approved of putting the hammock up??
Yes he did. I asked him about hanging a hammock when I signed in and he told me to use the eye bolts on the lean-to, that is what they were put there for.