View Full Version : Katadin
jmcgarrahan
06-06-2007, 12:27
I will soon be planning my trip to meet my husband in Maine after his thru, he would like me to be at the top when he gets there. How hard is this to accomplish, where can I start to make it the shortest trip from bottom to top? I can't think of anything worse than him beating me up there and having to wait for his greeting party.
It's deceptively hard to accomplish because there are some days that the Rangers at Baxter State Park will close the mountain for climbing and you will have to wait around until 7:00 a.m the next day to see if it's climbable.
The fastest trail to the top is Abol Slide Trail which is on the same side of the mountain as the AT. Once you clear timber and reach a place which Thoreau described as " looking like it it had rained rocks " you will find yourself in what could be a very hostile environment with low visibility and high wind velocities. Though the idea may be romantic, spending more time than absolutley necessary in such an environment may not be the best decision you could make. If you do go up the there be prepared for cold and wind and above timber in low viz the hiking is from from cairn to cairn .
I hope you'll get lucky and have a clear , calm -see for 100 miles- kind of day
because the view from the top of Katahdin is so incredible it's almost surreal.
Good Luck
jmcgarrahan
06-06-2007, 13:45
How many miles up and back down?
leeki pole
06-06-2007, 14:56
If you're not in shape, this will be a very difficult hike. It's 5.2 miles up and 5.2 back down, 4,000 foot elevation gain. It's tough, some scrambling and the Hunt Spur is fun, but no picnic. Allow at least 8 hours round trip. But it's one of the best single hikes I've ever done. The views on a Class I day are absolutely phenomenal.:)
From Abol CG to summit is 3.8 miles . Once you hit the slide proper the trail is going to get very steep for a mile or so as it picks it's way thru the boulder field.
The only alternative to Abol would be to park your car on the other side of the mountain do the easy hike on Roaring Brook Trail to Chimney Pond and then do the steep uphill via Cathedral or the Saddle Trail -the Saddle is the less vertical of the two.
The problem with that routing is that your car is on the other side of the mountain from the AT so you and your husband will either have to hike over to Roaring Brook - Hamlin Ridge is a nice downhill run and get the car or head back down the AT and find transport over to Roaring Brook CG.
jmcgarrahan
06-06-2007, 15:25
if one is hiking the AT, they stop at the Ranger Station right? how far from there is the hike up?
Lone Wolf
06-06-2007, 15:42
if one is hiking the AT, they stop at the Ranger Station right? how far from there is the hike up?
5 miles up
Easier for weaker hikers to go from Roaring Brook to Chimney Pond, up Saddle to the summit. And down.
Wait for him at Abol Bridge store with a big hug. Plan from there.
He will be up and at the Hunt Trail earlier than you will be willing...(probably)
Thru-hiker pacing is usually about 140 minutes up the Hunt Trail. I have shadowed enough of them. Stop and blow your nose and they get 100 feet on you.
You will have to rise and move very early, and then move quickly to be up there waiting. No easy way.
Unless... Say the two of you spent the night in Millinocket, you dropped him off at Abol Bridge, then drove into Baxter, and went up the Hunt Trail. Very long day for him.
More practical to hand him a smooch at Abol Bridge.
I will soon be planning my trip to meet my husband in Maine after his thru, he would like me to be at the top when he gets there. How hard is this to accomplish, where can I start to make it the shortest trip from bottom to top? I can't think of anything worse than him beating me up there and having to wait for his greeting party.
The trip up Katahdin on the AT (also referred to as the Hunt trail in that section) is only 5 miles but it is one of the most rugged climbs of the entire trail. For a thru hiker finishing up it's no problem. For someone that has not hiked much it could be a bit of a chore. The Abol trail is shorter but it goes nearly straight up, at least it looks like it on the map..I have never done that trail.
There is a ranger station right near Katahdin Stream camp ground. You should stop in there because you get the weather report and class hiking day for the day. Class 1..its a beaut! class 2 weather not so good but doable (like it may be raining). Class III you should not go. class IV stay off the mountain...or incurr the rath of the park staff.
I might suggest you get an hour or more head start on your husband if you want to beat him to the top!!!
David
The "easy" way to beat him to the top would be to stay at chimney pond the night before and head up either the saddle or the dudley trail on summit day. The dudley trail to the knife edge is the short way it's only about a mile; the dudley is a steep boulder scramble followed by the knife edge which is ummm interesting to say the least. The 'easy' way is to go up the saddle and wait for him at the spring so you can do the last mile together.
Appalachian Tater
06-06-2007, 20:48
I will soon be planning my trip to meet my husband in Maine after his thru, he would like me to be at the top when he gets there. How hard is this to accomplish, where can I start to make it the shortest trip from bottom to top? I can't think of anything worse than him beating me up there and having to wait for his greeting party.
The only way is for you to leave a lot earlier than he does unless you're in much better shape, which is unlikely at that point of his hike.
Also, he'll probably be wide awake and ready to go as soon as the sun is up. There's an awful lot of adrenaline flowing on that final day and not too much sleep the night before. He's going to have to give you a head start if you want to beat him to the top.
It's not the easiest hike, either. Part of it is a cakewalk but there are sections that consist purely of climbing up rocks. Gloves might be useful.
TJ aka Teej
06-07-2007, 08:06
I will soon be planning my trip to meet my husband in Maine after his thru, he would like me to be at the top when he gets there.
It's a really sweet notion, but unless you're a wicked good climber and outstanding planner with amazingly good luck, it ain't gonna happen.
You know the date he's planning on getting into Baxter? Call BSP and reserve yourself a campsite or lean-to at Katahdin Stream. Put on a Katahdin-eve campfire feed, a pre-climb breakfast, and an after summit fest. Then give his pals rides out of the park. But it really was a sweet notion.
mountain squid
06-07-2007, 12:54
<insert rock scrambling, out-of-breath, reaching the top of Katahdin smiley>
See you on the trail,
mt squid
jmcgarrahan
06-07-2007, 14:15
the question is can I do it? Can it be done? Or would it be easier to hike up with him?
I Hiked with him to the top of Springer, no comparison I know, but maybe since we hiked up together in the beginning maybe we should hike up together in the end?
Alligator
06-07-2007, 14:39
the question is can I do it? Can it be done? Or would it be easier to hike up with him?
I Hiked with him to the top of Springer, no comparison I know, but maybe since we hiked up together in the beginning maybe we should hike up together in the end?I escorted groups of teenagers to the top on two occasions, as part of an academic summer program. If you are reasonably fit, you can do it.
Your best bet is to go with him if you wish to be there when he finishes. It solves a lot of logistical problems.
jmcgarrahan
06-07-2007, 15:15
I think so too. Thank you
mountain squid
06-07-2007, 16:00
It is a difficult climb, but, yes, you should be able to do it (the kids - maybe not). I agree that it would be better to do it with him, though. As TJ suggested both of you can camp at Katahdin Strm CG or stay in Millinocket the night before. Get up early in the morning and hike and climb and climb and climb and climb and hike. (If you are lucky, maybe you'll be able to take the elevator down...it is quicker and easier:rolleyes: :D ;) ...) Either way Have Fun. How was the trip to SNP?
See you on the trail,
mt squid