I have been reading the ALDA and it recommends that i should be getting ready to place reservations at Baxter State Park. Being a southbounder i also have been reading that you have to summit Katahdin turn back around and hike back down the way you came, if so why? I thought that it was near the beginning of the 100 Mile Wildnerness. Can someone give me some input on making these reservations. If this is a necessity to a thru-hike how many reservations should i make and where? :-?
The Appalachian Trail ends on the tops of two mountains, Springer in Georgia and Katahdin in Maine. Northbounders must climb Springer to begin their hike just as southbounders must climb to Baxter Peak on Katahdin. The reason a sobo (MEGA) goes up and down the same trail is that due to weather considerations in late May/early June the A.T. is usually the only open trail on the Mountain. The Hunt Trail (the A.T. might not open before Memorial Day weekend. (By the way, call it Katahdin, not "Mount" Katahdin. Katahdin is an Indian term that means "the greatest mountain," and that's the traditional and local name for the Mountain.) MEGA hikers can't stay at the Birches Longdistance Hiker site in Baxter Park. That site, about a 1/2 mile south of the Ranger's Cabin in Katahdin Stream Campground, is reserved for nobo (GAME) AT users who hike in from at least 100 miles away. I always recommend that MEGAs stay two nights, before and after their climb, at Katahdin Stream Campground at the base of Katahdin. The Appalachian Trail travels through Katahdin Stream Campground, and from the trailhead Baxter Peak is 5.2 miles away via the Hunt Trail. Fit and excited northbounders sometimes fly up and down the Hunt Trail in less than 5 hours. A just-off-the-couch day hiker might take 10 hours. It is a serious mountain, people die here, talk with the Ranger and be prepared.
Random thoughts:
a The bus from Bangor gets in after suppertime, 30 miles from the Park. You should plan on a motel after you get in and a Taxi ride the next day, or arrange ahead of time with the Taxi service to pick you up at the bus stop and drop you off outside the park at a legal campsite (where you'll set up in the dark) from which you'll make your way into the Park the next morning.
b Try to hook up with another MEGA to share the expense of the campsite in Baxter State Park. Single or double costs the same.
c Get a lean-to and not a tent site in case it rains, you don't want to start out with soaking wet gear.
d After your climb, the Abol Bridge ("Linda's")Store and Campground is a 3 1/2 or 4 hour hike on the A.T. from your site at Katahdin Stream Campground. Stop there and enjoy a fresh sub and cold drink or two, and maybe buy some very short term supplies. The 100 Mile Wilderness trailhead is across the bridge from the store, less than a 1/2 mile away on the left, and Hurd Brook Lean-to is about 3 1.2 miles in.
e Try to visit the Park Headquarters in Millinocket, and introduce yourself to the nice folks behind the counter. They are extremely knowledgeable and live to help Park visitors. Talk with Bruce White, the Head Ranger at Katahdin Stream Campground, he's one of the Good Guys.
f Have the time of your life! Maine in the Spring is beautiful, you'll never regret seeing the woods wake up after a long winter.
g www.baxterstateparkauthority.com (http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com) has all the info on the new reservation policy for this year. If you need any help, just call the Park or email me at
[email protected]
hope this helps a bit,