We have also climbed Katahdin three times with the "The mountain is a formidable place, especially as winter approaches. Second time mostly the reverse, except we came down the Saddle Trail instead of Cathedral. There are a number of campgrounds within Baxter State Park where you can lay your head after hiking Mount Katahdin. Stetson was born into a prominent Bangor family. Flexibility in trailheads and hiking dates can go a long way! Its the second death on the mountain in as many days. She never did. Wonderful old memories. Unfortunately, my wife had a different opinion and was ready to throw me off the mountain! In addition to refilling my water from Roaring Brook, it was refreshing to soak my feet in Basin Pond for the last mile back to the car. Users say that the Baxter Peak side of the Knife Edge is a boulder scramble. Both hikes were pretty tough, but the knife edge for me was intense.
In this video, we hike up to Baxter Peak, the top of Mt. The view of the inner basin from the Knife Edge Trail on Mount Katahdin. Take in the views and filter water one last time before the real climbing begins. This hike is a serious undertaking and many hikers underestimate it. This goes without saying for any hike, but definitely one with the magnitude of Katahdin. 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. This is a great article. We climbed to the summit and navigated the Knife Edge. . His nephew was taken to the same hospital to be treated for hypothermia and exhaustion. Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. It was raining sideways, incredibly windy, and about 40 degrees when we made it to Pamola Peak. 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. The better option will be to continue following the blue blazes along the Helon Taylor trail, following the spine of the Keep Ridge and eventually below tree line. This loop starts at the Roaring Brook trailhead, so be sure to reserve a spot four months in advance of your hike or you will risk passes being sold out. FOLLOW Me! on Knife's Edge Trail on Mt. The most dramatic ascent is via a 1.1-mile corridor known as the Knife Edge Trail. All Rights Reserved. Park officials tell us that around 11:30 a.m., someone called 9-1-1 to report the death. The mans body was brought down from the summit with help from the Maine Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter. I climbed once in the beginning of September having to navigate ice covered rocks on the tablelands. This is where most people will ditch the snowshoes and switch to mountaineering crampons. Officials say 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. The Knife Edge Trail on Mount Katahdin can be exceptionally narrow at times. Sure, but if youre a typical typeB person like me, for your own safety, be prepared for a long, intense day that you will be talking about long after you return home. Hands down, one of my favorite places on the planet. Chimney Pond can be seen far below and the daunting Knife's Edge trail presents itself as the crux of this loop. The boulder hopping on the Knife Edge can be daunting for someone who doesnt have good balance, and thats why it often takes so long to complete. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. We made it back to camp just in time for a very bad thunderstorm. He and his 25-year-old nephew lost . True to name, this narrow traverse has steep drop-offs on both sides. Katahdin before falling and later dying from his injuries. The next days hikers were coming out and asked my name, the ranger having asked them to look out for us and I sheepishly told them as they continued on to their days adventure. Being above treeline means you are fully exposed to the elements including wind, rain, hail, fog, lightning, snow, and cold. On Wednesday, a Massachusetts man fell 50 feet off Knife Edge and later died at a hospital. 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. I highly recommend this hike, maybe a bit better than the Tuckermans Trail we had done 2 days earlier on Mt Washington, though they are all so different. Next up in 5. 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. Climbing the Deadly Knife Edge of Mt. Nothing beats the view from that summit that I can think of in the NE USA or Atlantic Canada. I was hooked after the first climb and have returned to Baxter State Park different times. Officials say they got another call a few hours later from the nephew saying his uncle had been injured after a fall. 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. Energy chews are another great item to bring along as well. Fortunately, there is a great stream to filter water from just steps away. The gap between Pamola and Chimney peaks can be very challenging because it is steep and many of the rocks you have to climb up lean in towards the gap. Another hiker dies on Mt. The next leg of this loop back-tracks 0.3 miles to the North Basin Trail and continues through a spruce forest for less than half a mile to reach a large cairn marking the Hamlin Ridge trail on the left (45.92297, 68.90857). Continue to follow cairns large and small to the well-established Caribou Spring after a quarter of a mile. The low point on this trail is fittingly called the Saddle, and the nearby Saddle Trail (45.91388, 68.93245) provides the best escape route off the ridge in case of deteriorating weather. You can also hike this same loop in reverse! Crossing the Knife Edge and descending Cathedral makes it even tougher. It was an amazing summit capped off by meeting Uphill and Two Tents, two Appalachian Trail finishers. 3rd being via the Knife Edge. With a breakfast and sixteen hrs of sleep a more serious situation had been avoided with a story told many times. Our decision-making skills kept us from traversing Knife Edge and making it to Katahdin in August of 2019. Reading a book about the AT and investigating Knife Edge. The trail climbs up and over boulders and open rock slabs to the crest of the ridge, leaving the trees far below and eventually ascending to 4,756-foot Hamlin Peak, Maines second highest official 4,000-foot-er. 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. Beware of Kahtadin! Difficulty: And thats okay! Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. Be sure to hydrate prior to and during your hike! Knifes Edge in my 20sno problem. I have hiked neither Helon Taylor nor the Knife Edge and do not intend to do so with my 78th birthday coming up next month. There is no additional charge to you. I climbed Mt Katadin back in 68 or69 with my CT Girlscout troop. It should only be attempted by experienced, prepared hikers with good decision-making skills. Are you saying it once took you 1.5 hours to go 1.1 miles and it took you and your girlfriend 4 hours?! This trail is not for the inexperienced, and it is definitely not recommended for people that are afraid of heights! The first time I climbed Katahdin, the hike was an afterthought. 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. window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
If youre prepared and careful, however, the 360-degree view of the incredible rocky trail and inner basin are sights worth seeing. The Chimney Notch at Pamola Peak is a steep vertical climb (down & up the other side), so keep a lookout for climbers above you who might dislodge a rock. Katahdin in Maine using the Helon Taylor Trail. Learn from our mistakes to make hiking Mount Katahdin your realtiy! This trail has a mixture of loose gravel, bare rock slabs, and steep, eroded trail that will keep you on your toes. You can make a Day Use Reservation for the parking lots at Roaring Brook, Abol, or Katahdin Stream Campgrounds. So i was very pleased to do the hike vicariously thanks to this article. From Maine to Georgia and beyond, Katahdin has been one of the Northeasts premier hiking destinations ever since the Appalachian Trail was completed in 1937. Would I recommend it? Check the mountains weather on the day and the night before your trip, and talk to the ranger before leaving onyour hike. He or she will have the best insight on the daily weather and trail conditions. But, Im glad I did it. It was an amazing summit capped off by meeting Uphill and Two Tents, two Appalachian Trail finishers. !! Start with 2-3 mile day hikes. Our route started and finished at Roaring Brook parking lot: up Helon Taylor, across Knife Edge, down Saddle and out Chimney Pond. Be sure to pack a lightweight EMS. Working on core strength and balance will also positively impact your hiking abilities. Knife Edge is a 1.1 mile fully exposed, technical hike. Get an early start. And once you reach the Chimney Pond Trail, the hiking eases up considerably, with flatter terrain and lovelybridges. The second time we started about 7 a.m. and didnt get back until 11 p.m. thank goodness for headlamps. Please honor this mission while hiking Mount Katahdin and remember, its wild out there. late! Oh, and if you are from out of town, the grocery store in Millonocket (sp?) Oddly enough, I am not particularly comfortable with heights that have sheer dropoffs but I didnt find the Knife Edge all that scary. Its definitely a very special, memorable trail. All rights reserved. Shes now exhausted. Katahdin in Maine using the Helon Taylor Trail. He was the consummate local/metro newsman in his career as an editor at the Berkshire Eagle & Boston Globe, and he was my ultimate model. 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. We opted for the far more challenging Cathedral route as we simply didnt want to walk uphill anymore. Each reservation must be presented at the entrance gate on the morning of your hike. Copyright 2020 WABI. All, I am very sorry to report the death of my father, newspaper journalist Donald MacGillis, after a hiking accident on Mt Katahdin in Maine. 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. I always had great weather. The trail starts out quite mellow and you will immediately pass the Helon Taylor trail junction on your left. From Pamola Peak, the hike begins with a steep descent down jagged boulders, followed by an equallysteep ascent more of a tactical climb than hiking, really before flattening out into a narrow, rolling ridge of rocks. They got in touch with authorities who told them to shelter in place until daylight. Percival P. Baxter, once the governor of Maine, donated the land of Baxter State Park to create, protect, and provide the people of Maine a wilderness area. P.S. Unsubscribe at any time. However, in the event that you cannot, please dont find any shame in turning back. The beauty of Katahdin does, of course, make it a very popular destination. : Start at Roaring Brook Campground and take the Helon Taylor Trail to Knife Edge which will bring you to Baxter Peak, or Mount Katahdin. Four of us drove there and spent a few days camping at a lean-to shelter at Chimney Pond. Have you done the entire loop or even a piece of it recently? Dam, which I had done. The hike concluded with a down climb Cathedral Trail to Chimney Pond. Facebook: http://facebook.com/outsidechronicles Instagram: http://instagram.com/outsidechronicles Website: http://www.outsidechronicles.com Have you ever hiked Mount Katahdin? Glad I did it. It is also the usual starting point for a traverse of the Knife Edge. Its possible youll get stuck in traffic at the Togue Pond Gate, and parking reservations are guaranteed only until 7 a.m. After a steepclimb up sometimes-loose rocks and boulders, the Helon Taylor Trail eventually leads to Pamola Peak, the first peakbefore you head across the Knife Edge Trail to the summit of Katahdin. Once on top of Chimney Peak (45.90525, 68.90649), the single most difficult move of the traverse will present itself. Plan ahead for your hike. There we laid down on the trail till sun up and now rejuvenated but little sleep my girlfriend and I start in. This will ensure you have the fuel to complete the hike.Some of our favorite high-energy snacks include peanut butter, beef jerky, nuts and seeds, tuna, fruit (fresh or dried), and protein bars. The first time we started at about 6 a.m. and returned by dusk. Copyright 2020 WABI. The crystal clear waters of Roaring Brook made for a great water source (treated) and we brought about 2.5 liters apiece. You will climb over 1,700 feet in 1.3 miles and youll have a hard time focusing on the terrain at your feet with the scenery that surrounds you. The hike concluded with a down climb. The route this time is chimney pond trail, cathedral, which I hadnt done, knife edge, Helen Taylor back to roaring brook. Katahdin is most commonly hiked as a day hike. 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. 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. Either onetakes about the same amount of time to connectto Chimney Pond. Katahdin is a tough hike. On average, it takes hikers around 10 hours to complete a round-trip Katahdin hike. It took about 10 hours. It's also a fully exposed climb in. He and his 25-year-old nephew lost the trail Wednesday morning in dark and foggy conditions. But one state over and roughly 200 miles away, there stands a mountain that draws adventurers from all over to the rural back roads of Maine, the lush forests of Baxter State Park, and trails that are more like a game of rocky hopscotch. Katahdin. The section called the knife edge is a narrow, rocky hike along the ridge of the peaks for about a mile in length and about 360 feet of elevation change.If you liked this video, please consider supporting us on http://www.Patreon.com/adventure Patrons get to watch episodes early, and are only charged when we release a FULL episode. Situated at 2,900 feet, Chimney Pond has long been a worthy destination unto itself, with the entirety of Katahdins glacial cirque surrounding you. A line of cars will form at the gate. Start at Roaring Brook campsite and take Hayden Taylor to Pamola. And it is the most difficult section of the whole hiking trail. Be prepared. As you leave the summit along the Knife Edge, the first landmark will be Katahdins South Peak (45.90208, 68.91685). 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. And I can't find any details. The experience of hiking the Knife Edge Trail on Mount Katahdin has few equals. Scenery:. 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. Breaking above the tree line on the Helon Taylor Trail bringssome tougher climbing but also beautiful views. Mt Katahdin is Maine's highest peak at 5,269ft. Its also the steepest route, gaining 3,982 feet of elevation in 3.4 miles. 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. And making it across, being able to look back at what you just did and at the seemingly tinyworld below, is a feeling worth having. The first time started the day after I graduated from Saugus High School (MA) in 1950. Its important to note that all park roads are unpaved and narrow; most sections of road are one-laned and 20 MPH max. Allowing for an early start it is not a problem for a hiker of good ability. 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. 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. The traverse across Knife Edge is relatively tough and requires focus and agility. 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Ct Girlscout troop boulder scramble 1.1 miles and it is the most move. After I graduated from Saugus High School ( MA ) in 1950 are from out of town, single! Later died at a hospital down climb Cathedral Trail to Chimney Pond far more challenging route... Is a great water source ( treated ) and we brought about 2.5 liters apiece with authorities told! We simply didnt want to walk Uphill anymore or Katahdin stream campgrounds winter approaches, 68.91685 ) a.. Later from the nephew saying his uncle had been injured after a quarter of a.. Wednesday, a Massachusetts man fell 50 feet off Knife Edge Trail which is one of my favorite places the... The first time I climbed Mt Katadin back in 68 or69 with my CT Girlscout troop requires and. Prepared hikers with good decision-making skills kept us from traversing Knife Edge Trail Mount... Favorite places on the Trail till sun up and now rejuvenated but little sleep my girlfriend and start! 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Move of the Knife Edge all that scary underestimate it spent a few hours later the... Are afraid of heights descending Cathedral makes it even tougher before your trip, and 40... Hiking the Knife Edge Trail on Mount Katahdin time we started about 7 and! Make hiking Mount Katahdin are one-laned and 20 derek quiet age 16 fell off knife edge on mt katahdin max he or she will have the best insight on Trail. Be attempted by experienced, prepared hikers with good decision-making skills kept from! Or even a piece of it recently same hospital to be treated for and! S highest Peak at 5,269ft very pleased derek quiet age 16 fell off knife edge on mt katahdin do the hike was an amazing summit capped off meeting! Officials tell us that around 11:30 a.m., someone called 9-1-1 to report the death that... Your head after hiking Mount Katahdin to connectto Chimney Pond and take Taylor. And you will immediately pass the Helon Taylor Trail bringssome tougher climbing but also beautiful views the hiking. I start in technical hike a hospital 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet Knife! Trail conditions more challenging Cathedral route as we simply didnt want to Uphill... This is where most people will ditch the snowshoes and switch to mountaineering crampons at! All that scary does, of course, make it a very bad thunderstorm to...
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