Climbed knife edge twice and can't imagine hiking the mountain any other way. One of the most beautiful trails I've ever been on! Looking forward to coming back and trying it in the winter.
IamLubos - Sep 12, 2006 4:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
Last NE HP!
This is a really spectacular mountain, kind of like an east-coast cascade volcano. We went up the Abol trail and came down Hunt. Hunt was less steep, but I still managed to rip my pants. Oops! This was my last north-east highpoint.
moneal - Aug 15, 2006 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2006
Helon Taylor / Knife's Edge / Hunt Trail
An absolutely perfect day in Maine. Clear skies, light winds and cool temps. Came up the Helon Taylor, across the Knife edge to the summit, and then down the Hunt Trail to the road where my wife picked me up. I only had one day to climb and cashed in. Loved the route, best hike/climb east of the Mississippi river IMHO. #25 on my state highpoint list. Half way there!
pingzingr - Aug 13, 2006 8:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2006
Helon Taylor / Knife's Edge / Saddle Trail
Amazing day on Katahdin with my father. Probably couldn't have asked for a better one. Went up Helon Taylor trail to Pamola then across the Knife's Edge to South and Baxter Peaks. I was hoping for more climbing along it like on the Chimney but that was a really nice section. Overall a wonderful trip and look forward to coming back and trying another route.
rasgoat - Aug 6, 2006 9:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2005
one of the best n.e. summits!
ascended the cathederal trail. alot of nice scrambling! with many different levels of scrambling all throughout the trail. at the summit there were several through hikers celebrating thier accomplishment. it made me feel small! descended saddle and saw a HUGE mother moose with baby in the chimney pond trail. next time, the knife edge!!!
musicmountain - Aug 2, 2006 12:55 am Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2005
Took Chimney Pond Trail to Saddle Trail to the top where a good sized crowd was just beginning to form. The weather was very changeable- but looked like it might clear- which it did, but only after I had left. I then went over to Hamlin Peak, whose summit I had all to myself. Went down the Ridge trail.
Took the Helon Taylor trail up to Pamola. Crossed the Knife Edge to Baxter Peak. Took the Saddle trail on the way down. Just an amazing experience! Unbelievable!
Ilafan - Jul 21, 2006 1:30 am Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2006
Simply the best in New England
This climb was the best highpoint experience I've had yet. This isn't just a nice hike; it is a climb, my first ever. Fab! We were continually lucky with this highpoint. First of all, we just drove up to Baxter Park on a Saturday night and somehow got a campsite without a reservation. Then on the climb, the clouds/fog was so thick, that we did not know what we were really doing above treeline. We couldn't see the dropoffs or cliffs, so we had no idea how big this mountain was. Had we been able to see, perhaps we would have chickened out. Finally, once on Baxter Peak, we were lucky again because the misty fog burned off, and we were treated to views like no others. Simply spectacular. Plus, one of our members almost slid into a large snake on the descent. Very funny to see him shriek. HA!
royswkr - Jul 3, 2006 8:17 pm Date Climbed: Oct 13, 1975
Up Abol Slide
Visited Hamlin, North, Baxter, and South peaks in fog
EManBevHills - Jun 16, 2006 1:06 am Date Climbed: Oct 2, 1983
30th B'Day
Great place to be.....
RyanS - May 29, 2006 8:17 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2006
Abol Trail
The Baxter Park rangers were only allowing access via the Abol Trail, making us commit to returning via our ascent route. There were clouds from Tableland Flats and above, but the weather remained relatively warm, even on the summit. This was an unrelenting climb up the rock gully! It took me by surprise.
injektilo - Mar 25, 2006 3:26 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2005
Route: Dudley and Knife Edge
Katahdin is amazing. Had perfect weather for a knife edge traverse. The moment you crest Pamola and the ridge comes into view is impossible to describe. I plan to return often.
Enapai - Mar 22, 2006 4:24 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 1999
Route Climbed: Up the Knifes Edge / Down into South Basin
Maybe longest day of hiking I have ever had and certainly the scariest. I led a group of 10 teeenagers up the mountain. It was sunny to start the day, but clouds began rolling in from the west as the morning continued. Crossed the knife's edge in complete fog (cloud cover) and got to the top of South Peak in the middle of a raging thuderstorm! Only we really were IN the thunderstorm. Try finding cover in a bunch of boulders. In a brief lull we ran over to Baxter Peak (Katahdin) and down into the south basin. No views what-so-ever. Oh well. At the least the ranger was surprised at how quick we made the loop.
redmond - Mar 18, 2006 4:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2004
Route Climbed: Cathedral
Longest day of climbing ever but it was worth it, although we had to scramble quickly down the Saddle trail because of a thunderstorm. This was the first real mountain I climbed, truly awesome.
Route Climbed: Abol Date Climbed: September 21, 1995
First highpoint; at least first one I paid attention to. Ran out of water on the ascent, partner was ill-equipped, but the bug bit us. Both of us are avid highpointers now - and much better prepared!
Route Climbed: Appalachian Trail Date Climbed: July 3, 2002
Wow. This was my first big mountain climb. The temperature was above 100 degrees, hot as hell. I got ridiculously dehydrated and was sick for a couple days. This mountain is a beast and deserves respect. I will go back again.
Route Climbed: Helon Taylor to Knife Edge to Saddle Date Climbed: August 15th, 2004
I was losing my mind in NYC so I took off work for a few days and started driving. Left NYC at 4pm in the afternoon, and I was by the gate in Baxter at 4 am, just in time to have breakfast and wait to get in and climb. I was one of the first early parties on the summit that day and we had a terrific view. After 12pm, clouds started rolling and visibility deterioriated for those that where there. One of the best climbs in the Northeast, by far worth the long drive.
Flanders - Sep 26, 2006 10:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2006
Dudley, Knife Edge, SaddleFun hike up. Plenty of boulders with easy hand-holds. Saw only 1 other person on this trail.
Knife Edge was great and Saddle was...well the Saddle. All around a great loop hike from Chimney Pond.
bidwelldk - Sep 14, 2006 7:34 pm
Route Climbed Helon Taylor to Knife EdgeClimbed knife edge twice and can't imagine hiking the mountain any other way. One of the most beautiful trails I've ever been on! Looking forward to coming back and trying it in the winter.
IamLubos - Sep 12, 2006 4:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
Last NE HP!This is a really spectacular mountain, kind of like an east-coast cascade volcano. We went up the Abol trail and came down Hunt. Hunt was less steep, but I still managed to rip my pants. Oops! This was my last north-east highpoint.
moneal - Aug 15, 2006 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2006
Helon Taylor / Knife's Edge / Hunt TrailAn absolutely perfect day in Maine. Clear skies, light winds and cool temps. Came up the Helon Taylor, across the Knife edge to the summit, and then down the Hunt Trail to the road where my wife picked me up. I only had one day to climb and cashed in. Loved the route, best hike/climb east of the Mississippi river IMHO. #25 on my state highpoint list. Half way there!
pingzingr - Aug 13, 2006 8:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2006
Helon Taylor / Knife's Edge / Saddle TrailAmazing day on Katahdin with my father. Probably couldn't have asked for a better one. Went up Helon Taylor trail to Pamola then across the Knife's Edge to South and Baxter Peaks. I was hoping for more climbing along it like on the Chimney but that was a really nice section. Overall a wonderful trip and look forward to coming back and trying another route.
rasgoat - Aug 6, 2006 9:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2005
one of the best n.e. summits!ascended the cathederal trail. alot of nice scrambling! with many different levels of scrambling all throughout the trail. at the summit there were several through hikers celebrating thier accomplishment. it made me feel small! descended saddle and saw a HUGE mother moose with baby in the chimney pond trail. next time, the knife edge!!!
musicmountain - Aug 2, 2006 12:55 am Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2005
cathedralgreat mountain
woodstrider - Jul 27, 2006 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2006
Maine's HighpointTook Chimney Pond Trail to Saddle Trail to the top where a good sized crowd was just beginning to form. The weather was very changeable- but looked like it might clear- which it did, but only after I had left. I then went over to Hamlin Peak, whose summit I had all to myself. Went down the Ridge trail.
TLP - Jul 21, 2006 2:55 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2006
Best in the NorthEast!Took the Helon Taylor trail up to Pamola. Crossed the Knife Edge to Baxter Peak. Took the Saddle trail on the way down. Just an amazing experience! Unbelievable!
Ilafan - Jul 21, 2006 1:30 am Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2006
Simply the best in New EnglandThis climb was the best highpoint experience I've had yet. This isn't just a nice hike; it is a climb, my first ever. Fab! We were continually lucky with this highpoint. First of all, we just drove up to Baxter Park on a Saturday night and somehow got a campsite without a reservation. Then on the climb, the clouds/fog was so thick, that we did not know what we were really doing above treeline. We couldn't see the dropoffs or cliffs, so we had no idea how big this mountain was. Had we been able to see, perhaps we would have chickened out. Finally, once on Baxter Peak, we were lucky again because the misty fog burned off, and we were treated to views like no others. Simply spectacular. Plus, one of our members almost slid into a large snake on the descent. Very funny to see him shriek. HA!
royswkr - Jul 3, 2006 8:17 pm Date Climbed: Oct 13, 1975
Up Abol SlideVisited Hamlin, North, Baxter, and South peaks in fog
EManBevHills - Jun 16, 2006 1:06 am Date Climbed: Oct 2, 1983
30th B'DayGreat place to be.....
RyanS - May 29, 2006 8:17 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2006
Abol TrailThe Baxter Park rangers were only allowing access via the Abol Trail, making us commit to returning via our ascent route. There were clouds from Tableland Flats and above, but the weather remained relatively warm, even on the summit. This was an unrelenting climb up the rock gully! It took me by surprise.
injektilo - Mar 25, 2006 3:26 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2005
Route: Dudley and Knife EdgeKatahdin is amazing. Had perfect weather for a knife edge traverse. The moment you crest Pamola and the ridge comes into view is impossible to describe. I plan to return often.
Enapai - Mar 22, 2006 4:24 am Date Climbed: Jun 30, 1999
Route Climbed: Up the Knifes Edge / Down into South BasinMaybe longest day of hiking I have ever had and certainly the scariest. I led a group of 10 teeenagers up the mountain. It was sunny to start the day, but clouds began rolling in from the west as the morning continued. Crossed the knife's edge in complete fog (cloud cover) and got to the top of South Peak in the middle of a raging thuderstorm! Only we really were IN the thunderstorm. Try finding cover in a bunch of boulders. In a brief lull we ran over to Baxter Peak (Katahdin) and down into the south basin. No views what-so-ever. Oh well. At the least the ranger was surprised at how quick we made the loop.
redmond - Mar 18, 2006 4:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2004
Route Climbed: CathedralLongest day of climbing ever but it was worth it, although we had to scramble quickly down the Saddle trail because of a thunderstorm. This was the first real mountain I climbed, truly awesome.
koz - Jan 2, 2006 11:06 pm
Route Climbed: Abol Date Climbed: September 21, 1995First highpoint; at least first one I paid attention to. Ran out of water on the ascent, partner was ill-equipped, but the bug bit us. Both of us are avid highpointers now - and much better prepared!
Michel C - Nov 27, 2005 11:24 pm
Route Climbed: Knife Edge Date Climbed: Fall 1987It's a must do.. We did approx. 8 hour drive to get there..
Big Skies 808 - Nov 19, 2005 7:19 pm
Route Climbed: Appalachian Trail Date Climbed: July 3, 2002Wow. This was my first big mountain climb. The temperature was above 100 degrees, hot as hell. I got ridiculously dehydrated and was sick for a couple days. This mountain is a beast and deserves respect. I will go back again.
Livelife4Summits - Nov 8, 2005 2:24 am
Route Climbed: Helon Taylor to Knife Edge to Saddle Date Climbed: August 15th, 2004I was losing my mind in NYC so I took off work for a few days and started driving. Left NYC at 4pm in the afternoon, and I was by the gate in Baxter at 4 am, just in time to have breakfast and wait to get in and climb. I was one of the first early parties on the summit that day and we had a terrific view. After 12pm, clouds started rolling and visibility deterioriated for those that where there. One of the best climbs in the Northeast, by far worth the long drive.