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Katahdin - At Last (5268 ft.)19 07 05 13  12
--------Five years ago we decided we wanted to do Mt. Katahdin in the Baxter
State Park in Maine. For multiple reasons including real estate
investing, travel, unplanned surgery and some lack of better planning
we had to postpone climbing it year, over year. On July the 16th,
2005 we finally did it, and it felt so good.
The hike is not to be attempted by the inexperienced, out of shape, or the faint of heart. But it is not as bad as some people suggest: "The Scariest Mountain Trail East of the Mississippi". On a sunny and calm day, the Knife's Edge Trail is the best trail I have ever experienced - for its constant views and constant challenge. Although you feel it making your leg muscles work, at no point in this trail you feel like it is an impossible task (as we have felt for a while in other hikes). The terrain, although difficult, allows for a constant pace, and you should, as you do not want to become an obstacle in the way of people walking the trail. Although many people choose to climb Baxter Peak from different trails, only for fear of walking through Knife's Edge, we believe that once you do the effort of climbing to such hight, you have to complete the Knife's Edge Trail. The trail itself was more rewarding than the summit, and is the only way of climbing the three Katahdin documented Peaks on a single day. We even had the opportunity to cook a warm lunch on one of the few stable, non-obstructing resting spots on it. The training plan we set at the start of the year required us to do a minimum of four 4K Footers hikes in the White Mountains. We did Mt. Tecumseh, the Tripyramids (North Tripyramid, and Middle Tripyramid), and Mt. Whiteface and Mt. Passaconway. Although we did more than 4 mountains in that range, it was only in three contiguous hikes. If we had done one or two more White Mountain 4K trips, we would have felt less sore at the end of the hike. Even then, with the complex calendar ahead of us this summer, we decided to attempt Mt. Katahdin one trip earlier than planned. Baxter State Park is very well managed. You do observe ranger presence in many places including the mountain tops (rangers patrol the trails). Your hiking plan is recorded when you enter the park and again when you are about to enter a trailhead. And although the park is intended to remain wild forever - no paved roads, no running water, the dirt roads connecting its campsites and trailheads can probably compete with my town's paved ones. (not that Marlborough's road are in good condition anyway). The park offers other opportunities to enjoy the outdoors for the less adventurous or those willing to spend a few more days on it. There are campgrounds, plenty of hiking trails, beautiful ponds, and plenty of wildlife. On the way down we passed by a moose who was munching on some blueberries (the plants, not necessarily the fruit), and probably was also on her way to a nearby pond. Just outside the park there are also places where you can do White Water Rafting. We just went for the hike as it was a rather short weekend. After climbing down, having a nice meal, and resting at last we felt so happy and relieved of finally completing this long yearned goal. We finally climbed Mt. Katahdin. Next challenge: Mt. Washington. Mt. Katahdin Logistics Notes:
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