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Katahdin Woods & Waters / Baxter SP, ME

Jul 20 - Jul 27, 2019 -- $1250 ★★★★

Maine's Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument is a relatively new National Monument located in the Great North Woods of Maine right next to Baxter State Park, home of the 5267' Mt. Katahdin.


We will begin our hike through the heart of Katahdin Woods on the International Appalachian Trail and then delve into Baxter State Park in order to summit Mt. Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine and the terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Furthermore, the intrepid group members will walk along the fabled Knife's Edge which features 1000'+ dropoffs on both sides of the trail. This will be a true adventure.


Hopefully, we'll get to see the animal totem of these woods: Moose. But we may also encounter deer, black bears and ubiquitous chipmunks chattering at you as you walk by. And if we're lucky, we may catch a glimpse of a bobcat, fisher or pine marten.


So why not be one of the first people to explore this wilderness? The trip will occur mid-summer when the days are long and the weather is warm. But to get an idea of what awaits us, please enjoy this video by Fitpacking colleague Chris Shane.




Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the mid-70s and nighttime temperatures in the low 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 30, with a reasonable chance of rainfall at some point in the trip. There may also be mosquitoes, black flies, greenheads or all of the above (or possibly none of the above). Here is the Baxter State Park weather page.



Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Danielle Piscatelli


Cost

$1250 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Bangor Airport (BGR), as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals and any gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 2 nights in Roaring Brook Campground, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation to/from Bangor and Katahdin Woods / Baxter, permits, insurance, satellite phone and awesome guides.



Note


Trails in Maine are often full of rocks, roots, mud or all of these things. We find that terrain is the most difficult impediment most participants face when hiking ... even more than elevation gain or loss. And then it might rain.


Plus, even though we'll day-hike Mt. Katadhin carrying maybe 10 pounds, summiting will require the use of your hands to climb some of the rocky trails. And then there's the Knife's Edge. While not technically difficult, there are 1000' dropoffs on either side. If you are afraid of heights, you should either plan to return the way you came or not attempt this at all.


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Itinerary
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Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Saturday, July 20, 2019

Drive or fly into Bangor Airport (BGR). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving a few hours earlier or later, then do so.

We'll pick you up at the airport and shuttle you to Country Inn at The Mall, 936 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401, 207-941-0200

Equipment shakedown

Trail mix distribution

"Before" measurements taken

Buy last minute and forgotten items at LL Bean Outlet Store, 534 Stillwater Ave., Bangor, ME 04401, 207-942-0146, open 'til 9PM

Option 2: Epic Sports, 6 Central St, Bangor, ME 04401, 800-466-2296, 207-941-5670, open 10AM-7PM

Go out for welcome dinner at restaurant (TBD). Meal cost not included in trip cost.



Sunday, July 21, 2019

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Free Breakfast at hotel

Shuttle to the Katahdin Brook Trailhead off the loop road in Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, elevation 1050'

Hike 1.1 miles to Barnard Mountain Spur Trail, elevation 1050'

Optional: Drop packs and day-hike 1.0 round trip miles to the summit of Barnard Mountain, elevation 1558'

Hike 2.6 miles to Wassataquoik Lean-To, elevation 600'

Camp at Wassataquoik Lean-To, elevation 600'

Miles today: 3.7 or 4.7. Total miles: 3.7 or 4.7

Possible bailout: Katahdin Loop Road


Monday, July 22, 2019

Hike 0.7 miles to Wassataquoik Stream, elevation 550'

Change into water shoes and ford Wassataquoik Creek

Hike 4.6 miles to Deasey Mountain, elevation 1942'

Hike 1.3 miles to Lunksoos Mountain, elevation 1811' (having dipped to 1500' along the way)

Hike 1.1 miles on Lunksoos Lean-To, elvation 1200'

Camp at Lunksoos Lean-To, elvation 1200'

Miles today: 7.7. Total miles: 11.4 or 12.4

Possible bailout: No great options


Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Hike 7.8 miles to the Bowlin Suspension Bridge, elevation 450'

Camp at Bowlin Camps Lodge elevation 450'

This is subject to change. We may shuttle to the Lunksoos Camps along the Seboeis Road

Miles today: 7.8. Total miles: 19.2 or 20.2


Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Shuttle to the Katahadin Loop Road, mile 10.7, elevation 1300'

Hike 2.5 miles on the Katahdin Lake Trail to Katahdin Lake, elevation 1050'

Possible swim in Katahdin Lake?

Hike 3.3 miles on the Katahdin Lake Trail to Avalanche Field Parking Area, elevation 1150.

Hike 1.6 dirt road miles to Roaring Brook Frontcountry Campground, elevation 1450'.

Camp at Roaring Brook Frontcountry Campground (sites TBD), elevation 1450'

Miles today: 7.4. Total miles: 26.6 or 27.6

Possible bailout: Roaring Brook Road


Thursday, July 25, 2019

Today we will hike Mt. Katahdin and the Knife's Edge, the highest peak in Maine and the quintessential Maine hike

We will be day hiking only, carrying perhaps 10 pounds. Despite this, we will get an extremely early start with the goal of leaving camp by dawn.

Day-Hike 3.1 miles on the Chimney Pond Trail to Chimney Pond, elevation 2914'

Day-Hike 1.8 extremely steep miles on the Cathedral Trail to the summit of Mt. Katahdin, elevation 5267'

Day-Hike 1.1 miles exhilirating (but harrowing) miles along the Knife's Edge with almost 360 degree unobstructed views to Pamola Peak, elevation 4919'

Day-Hike 3.2 miles on the Helon Trail back to Roaring Brook Campground, elevation 1450'

Camp at Roaring Brook Frontcountry Campground (sites TBD), elevation 1450'

Miles today: 9.2. Total miles: Hiking 35.8 or 36.8

Possible bailout: Roaring Brook Campground


Friday, July 26, 2019

Break camp and hike 7.4 miles back to our vehicle(s) on Katahdin Loop Road, elevation 1300'

End of hiking portion of trip

Miles today: 7.4. Total miles: Hiking 43.0 or 44.0

Shuttle back to Country Inn at The Mall, 936 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401, 207-941-0200

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Saturday, July 27, 2019

Free breakfast in Hotel

We will drop you at the airport


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