He and his 25-year-old nephew lost the trail Wednesday morning in dark and foggy conditions. This hike was very difficult and I think there was only one other group that did the same hike. We woke up in our campsite near the park at 5:00, leaving at 5:30 to arrive around 6:00, then started our hike at about 7:15 and ended at about 4:40. Preparing for rain on a trip is always a challenge. Luckily its July 17 and we didnt get too cold having sufficient gear. 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. Our family of 5, 13 yo boy the youngest in our party, hiked to the summit via the Hunt Trail a few years ago. 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. Mt Katahdin is Maine's highest peak at 5,269ft. Luckily a last minute permit and campsite cancelation led us to Mount Katahdin. If Katahdins a no-go, there are plenty of other peaks in the park to visit such as South Turner, Doubletop, or North Brother. gtag('js', new Date()); Lots of exposure. There is no additional charge to you. You Need to be at Baxter State Parks Entrance around 4:00 AM; I know this sounds excessive, but believe me when I say you wont even be the first car in line. (NEWS CENTER) The outdoor world was shocked to learn of the death of John Stetson, 68 of East Holden. Please honor this mission while hiking Mount Katahdin and remember, its wild out there. After 7:00 AM, first come first serve hikers will start to be accepted into the park. Please check with individual businesses and organizations for the latest information before making travel plans, Experience the Ultimate Toboggan Thrill at this Annual Maine Winter Event, All Revved Up | Snowmobiling Adventure in Maine, Gulf Hagas, the Incredible Grand Canyon of Maine, Doing the Presidential Range Traverse in New Hampshires White Mountains, Franconia Ridge Loop | The Perfect White Mountains Hike, Yankee Magazines Ultimate Guide to Autumn in New England, Yankee Magazines Ultimate New England Winter Guide, Yankee Magazines Ultimate New England Summer Guide, 63 Reasons Why We Love the Cape & Islands, For $14 Million, You Could Own Provincetowns Iconic Lobster Pot Restaurant. And it is the most difficult section of the whole hiking trail. This is a great article. The first time we started at about 6 a.m. and returned by dusk. After summiting, prepare for the Knife Edge starting with the Chimney. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
The traverse across Knife Edge is relatively toughand requires focus and agility. A funeral is being held on Friday at 3:30 also at Brookings-Smith officiated by Pastor Jon Ouellette.Gifts in Mr. Stetsons memory may be made to the Maine Muscular Dystrophy Association, 39 Mechanic Street #100, Westbrook, Maine 04192. Follow this trail steeply uphill until you break treeline and get the payoff for which this loop is known for. You will pass by cascading brooks, alpine lakes, spectacular panoramic views, and miles of scrambly travel above tree-line. But, Im glad I did it. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. 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. He started Stetson and Watson which was a highly successful engineering firm. This is a fun class 2 scramble with a section of class 3 hiking. Ive watched peoples videos of crossing Knife Edge and none equal the experience of being there. 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. Adirondack Posts from an Almost Local: Plan Your Next Vacation, From Having Never Slept Outside, to Thousands of Miles Hiked & Hundreds of Nights Spent Outside, several options for hiking Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park Entrance Fees: $15 per vehicle for non-Maine residents, Camping Fees: $32 per night in the summer and $17 per night in the winter. Had it not been for a trickle of water on the Saddle Trail descent and our ever present Sawyer There is one loophole, however: Even if every trailhead parking spot is reserved, the rangers will still allow four to six early bird cars per trailhead to make use of their unofficial walk-up permits. Katahdin. It might seem crazy to pack these items in the heat of summer, but you never want to be sorry you didnt. Pamola Peak guards the eastern end of the Great Basin and is a popular peak because of its proximity to the Roaring Brook trailhead. At first light, rangers were able to get to the two men. Depending on the season and time of day, there can be quite a crowd at the summit of Mount Katahdin, all eager to take photos with the 5,267-foot summit sign. 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. I don't remember the incident. 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. Subscribe below for full access to a library of free Travel Itineraries. Completing lower body exercises, such as squats, lunges, and calf raises with weight will help to decrease muscle fatigue as you gain elevation. 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. 02-12-2011, 13:35 #42 mudhead Registered User Join Date 01-26-2007 Location maine Age 61 Posts 4,964 Images 35 You can't expect the Park to publicize events like a death. The Knife Edge Trail is very rugged in places - the Chimney is almost a technical climb. Once while doing the knife edge, with my two sons, my younger son tried to hide his fear by just soldiering. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. The Togue Pond gatehouse is the only local way to get into the park by car, and it opens at 6AM. 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 took 4 hours because she was exhausted. Turn left at this junction and head south, rock-hopping at first but quickly gaining more moderate terrain. According to the Brookings-Smith website, Mr. Stetson always lived his life in his own genuine way. It should only be attempted by experienced, prepared hikers with good decision-making skills. This loop tackles five notable summits in the heart of Maines fabled Baxter State Park. Accomplished climber who fell to his death on Katahdin identified. Things I learned: Even after chugging a liter of electrolyte water before the hike and hauling 2 additional liters up the mountain, that was not enough. In this video, we hike up to Baxter Peak, the top of Mt. It is also the usual starting point for a traverse of the Knife Edge. I worried that my wife would be angry if she found out. The rest of the way up is all rocks and boulders, a couple of other hand holds, and with some dirt trail sections until you get to within ~1 mile of the official summit, where it turns into a nice gradually sloping trail to finish off the 5.2 mi. Okay, I made that last one up but you get the idea. His philosophy of Wilderness First, Recreation Second lives on through Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park. Copyright 2020 WABI. A line of cars will form at the gate. Helon Taylor is a long ridge trail with little or no water, so I figured it was better to go that direction, knowing that we could replenish our water (filtered) on the Saddle Trail, at Chimney Pond, and along the trail back to the parking lot. He is survived by Alanna, his wife of forty years, their four children and five grandchildren. The route eventually drops below treeline and crosses a small brook, and after 3.2 miles you will rejoin the Chimney Pond trail and arrive at Roaring Brook campground soon thereafter. 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. 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. Baxter Peak - Mount Katahdin. Lost some toenails due to some ill-fitting socks as well. Dam, which I had done. There are a few spots where utmost care is necessary. Are you saying it once took you 1.5 hours to go 1.1 miles and it took you and your girlfriend 4 hours?! Aug. 10, 1986 Derek Quiet, age 16 - Fell off Knife Edge on Mt. Hands down, one of my favorite places on the planet. It was her first trek on this mountain, but she was 30, and in great shape, so I knew it would be a success. There is a narrow notch that separates Chimney Peak from Pamola Peak, and the descent into this notch involves downclimbing a precarious ledge to a foothold on a boulder below. 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. Its possible to descendto the Chimney Pond Trail and Roaring Brook Campground via either the Saddle Trail or Cathedral Trail. Once past this spot you can breathe a little easier, and the climb up to Pamola Peaks summit is short, steep, and trivial by comparison. The most dramatic ascent is via a 1.1-mile corridor known as the Knife Edge Trail. I did not climb it until I was 45 years old. : The Abol Trail is the most direct trail to the summit of Mount Katahdin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This setting should only be used on your home or work computer. Listen to the rangers. This final major peak on the Baxter-Hamlin circuit affords a fine line of sight over your entire route thus far, with a particularly impressive perspective of the Knife Edge in all its glory. We opted for the far more challenging Cathedral route as we simply didnt want to walk uphill anymore. The view after crossing the Knife Edge Trail. I climbed Mt Katadin back in 68 or69 with my CT Girlscout troop. Please note that many establishments throughout New England have modified their hours and/or operations in response to COVID-19. A Foggy View of Knife Edge Hiking Mount Katahdin. Avoid bad weather and wind in this segment at all costs. water filter we could have been in fairly serious trouble. People from near and far have heard of Mount Washingtonthe highest point in the Northeast, some of the strongest winds in the world, and mountain views that can leaveeven the staunchest of hiking skeptics breathless. (Wife wasnt so happy with that hike, either!). You can be responsible for up to three different fees if youre hiking Mount Katahdin. Reservations are held until only 7 a.m., so plan on arriving early and waiting in a line of cars during peak season. And I can't find any details. This trail has a mixture of loose gravel, bare rock slabs, and steep, eroded trail that will keep you on your toes. Make your way to the Togue Pond Gatehouse as early as you can. My wife and I have hiked every four thousand foot mountain in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. #Katahdin #Baxter #MtKatahdin #knifeedge #Flood #HikinginrainMount Katahdin Knife Edge, Washed out after the Storm:Mount Katahdin is Maine's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Its the second death on the mountain in as many days. We opted out of our adventure and made the very disappointing hike back down to the car. The cleft off of Pamola is no joke, going down or up out of it. 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 . Although checking the weather forecast is helpful, its important to realize that weather can be much different on the summit than it was at the trailhead.Always pack layers, even on a sunny summer day. Oddly enough, I am not particularly comfortable with heights that have sheer dropoffs but I didnt find the Knife Edge all that scary. 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. Has anyone died on Knife Edge Katahdin? Get an early start. 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. Thanks again for a wonderful article. Some spots are as narrow as four feet, with 2,000-foot drops on either side. On Wednesday, a Massachusetts man fell 50 feet off Knife Edge and later died at a hospital. It was raining sideways, incredibly windy, and about 40 degrees when we made it to Pamola Peak. Advertisement He. Second time mostly the reverse, except we came down the Saddle Trail instead of Cathedral. Will I ever do it again? I lost a few toenails once it was all said and done, and was sunburned to a crisp. Breaking above the tree line on the Helon Taylor Trail bringssome tougher climbing but also beautiful views. Family and friends may call at Brookings-Smith 133 Center Street in Bangor on Thursday evening from six until eight. You still need to gain thousands of feet in elevation, however, youre able to do so in more mileage. Not anytime soon. The mountain(s) will always be there; please turn around if something doesnt go your way and places you in danger.Here are some common reasons people turn back on a hike: Poor Weather Injury Timeliness Lack of Food/Water Lost Tired. The higher you climb, the more exposed you are. REI: http://bit.ly/2NvaMAdMoosejaw: http://bit.ly/2XCNBszBackcountry: http://bit.ly/2NBJ9FYSteep \u0026 Cheap: http://bit.ly/32a8r11Black Diamond: https://bit.ly/2qSBR5vDISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. Non-residents can make a Reservation to hike Katahdin two weeks or less prior to the date of their intended hike.If you are unable to secure a reservation, you will have to arrive early to Baxter State Park for a first come first serve parking spot to hike Katahdin. The second time we started about 7 a.m. and didnt get back until 11 p.m. thank goodness for headlamps. Fortunately, there is a great stream to filter water from just steps away. She outpaced me all the way. Continue to follow the main trail up the ridge, passing both the Cathedral cutoff and the Cathedral trails en route. Camping or sleeping in your vehicle at the gatehouse is not allowed. 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