Hiking poles are great for hiking. But they get in the way when you are scrambling. On most trails you and your girl would probably really enjoy using them. But those two climbs you mentioned each have a lot of scrambling. So I'd say buy some poles but use them closer to home!

As far as the Katahdin suggestion is concerned, I say, since the knife edge is about the same in both directions, take the Cathederal trail UP and descend via the knife edge/ Dudley or heelon Taylor trails. The Cathederal Trail is one of my all time favorite hiking/scrambling trails and certainly a gem in the East as far as I'm concerned. The Cathederal/Knife Edge loop is awesome.

Poles or no poles, have fun!

rasgoat wrote:As far as the Katahdin suggestion is concerned, I say, since the knife edge is about the same in both directions, take the Cathederal trail UP and descend via the knife edge/ Dudley or heelon Taylor trails. The Cathederal Trail is one of my all time favorite hiking/scrambling trails and certainly a gem in the East as far as I'm concerned. The Cathederal/Knife Edge loop is awesome.

Poles or no poles, have fun!

Shockingly, I've never gotten around to doing this loop yet, even though I've lived most of my life in New England. Definitely want to get up to Baxter some point this summer.

rasgoat wrote:I have the three tier collapseable poles and use them on all of these routes because I love them while hiking. During the scrambling sections, I just fully shorten them and stick them into a small pocket on the outside of my pack & strap the tops to the pack. It really comes down to what you are comfortable with.

As far as mileage is concerned, these routes do have much more moderate grade hiking with many rocks and boulders than scrambling. If you are going light and fast, chances are you won't need them, but if you have heavy packs, they can be a great asset.

I use them regardless because I love the way they keep my arms busy and pumping while hiking, they provide improved balance on extremely rocky terrain as well as the reduced knee impact.

What he said

rasgoat wrote:As far as the Katahdin suggestion is concerned, I say, since the knife edge is about the same in both directions, take the Cathederal trail UP and descend via the knife edge/ Dudley or heelon Taylor trails. The Cathederal Trail is one of my all time favorite hiking/scrambling trails and certainly a gem in the East as far as I'm concerned. The Cathederal/Knife Edge loop is awesome.

Poles or no poles, have fun!

I like this idea. How much distance does this add to the route (I have yet to get a map)?

chocodove wrote:

rasgoat wrote:As far as the Katahdin suggestion is concerned, I say, since the knife edge is about the same in both directions, take the Cathederal trail UP and descend via the knife edge/ Dudley or heelon Taylor trails. The Cathederal Trail is one of my all time favorite hiking/scrambling trails and certainly a gem in the East as far as I'm concerned. The Cathederal/Knife Edge loop is awesome.

Poles or no poles, have fun!

I like this idea. How much distance does this add to the route (I have yet to get a map)?

Roughly maybe 5 miles,give or take. It will be a long day, but highly memorable.

Well the only options for a day trip from Roaring Brook are an out and back on the knife edge OR the Cathederal / Knife Edge Loop Or the Knife Edge/ Saddle trail loop. I am not loking at a map but I am pretty sure the Cathedaral / Knife Edge Loop is the shortest, I know for sure it is shorter than the Saddle Trail loop (avoid).

rasgoat wrote:Well the only options for a day trip from Roaring Brook are an out and back on the knife edge OR the Cathederal / Knife Edge Loop Or the Knife Edge/ Saddle trail loop. I am not loking at a map but I am pretty sure the Cathedaral / Knife Edge Loop is the shortest, I know for sure it is shorter than the Saddle Trail loop (avoid).

I'm pretty certain we'll do Cathedral/Knife Edge loop,looks great. Many thanks for the suggestion. we're going in the middle of the week so I hope to avoid any crowds. I'm planning on talking to a ranger a little beforehand so we can figure out when we need to get to the gate. Anyone want to share their experiences on getting into the park?

chocodove wrote:I'm planning on talking to a ranger a little beforehand so we can figure out when we need to get to the gate. Anyone want to share their experiences on getting into the park?

5am was the usual advice. I just figured it was worth going for camping reservations instead. They've gone to a dayhike reservation system this year, check the website.

We just got back from a successful trip up Huntington. Ended up getting a pair of poles and using one each for me and my girlfriend. They came in quite handy up until the Fan, after which we stowed them until out of the ravine. I am VERY glad we had them on the way down via Lion Head- our knees were shot by the end even with them. We'll likely use the same method (one each) when we get to Maine in a few weeks.

Btw, that trail is no joke!

chocodove wrote:We just got back from a successful trip up Huntington. Ended up getting a pair of poles and using one each for me and my girlfriend. They came in quite handy up until the Fan, after which we stowed them until out of the ravine. I am VERY glad we had them on the way down via Lion Head- our knees were shot by the end even with them. We'll likely use the same method (one each) when we get to Maine in a few weeks.

Btw, that trail is no joke!

Huntington is a great day hike!

Excellent! You will find plenty of terrain on Katahdin to use those poles too! I prefer two over one, much more balanced and rhythmic.

I get to the gate a little before opening on weekdays.

I just climbed Katahdin last week by Helon Taylor/Knife Edge and returned the same way. That was a brutal climb as I have not been able to get to as many mountains lately - all my hiking has been flat (though long) - so I was not in prime mountain condition.

Bring EXTRA water - I ran dry on the way down and suffered for it.

If you go this way, poles will be useful until you get to the steepest part on Pamola, then they are not particularly useful through the summit (Baxter). But, you will want them for the descent, and I also suggest 2/person.

I suggest the park pass system - use the website and reserve your parking space at your desired trailhead for $5.

Chinigo wrote:I just climbed Katahdin last week by Helon Taylor/Knife Edge and returned the same way. That was a brutal climb as I have not been able to get to as many mountains lately - all my hiking has been flat (though long) - so I was not in prime mountain condition.

Bring EXTRA water - I ran dry on the way down and suffered for it.

If you go this way, poles will be useful until you get to the steepest part on Pamola, then they are not particularly useful through the summit (Baxter). But, you will want them for the descent, and I also suggest 2/person.

I suggest the park pass system - use the website and reserve your parking space at your desired trailhead for $5.

Thanks for the advice and congrats on Katahdin. How long did it take you? We are planning up Helon Taylor/Knife Edge and down the Saddle. I know the Saddle is a little bit longer, but according to the guide book and map it looks like it is a lot easier terrain. My girlfriend is worried about her knees on the way down (I had originally wanted to go up Cathedral, but after Huntington she wants something a little easier for the ascent).

We'll have full 100oz camelbaks and 44oz extra per person in each pack. How much water did you go through?

Also, how sketchy is the chimney between the knife edge and pamola (I think that is the right location)? I've heard and read varying reports, but the AMC guidebook doesn't mention it at all.

Re the parking pass, I already have a reserved spot for the days we will be there, so we will have options in case of weather. The online system is great.

Whichever direction you take the Cathedral Trail, don't forget bug spray. I've done Katahdin three times and each one had memorable insect encounters. One of the July trips, there was high wind (count on that as well - though you may get lucky). There are places on Helon Taylor where the huge boulders are close together. Yellow Jackets were blown in there. So you had to squeeze through several passages with hundreds of tightly packed hornets. A real mental freakout if you don't like Yellow Jackets. Gettng eaten alive by mosquitoes somewhere is pretty standard but the ones at Chimney Pond will carry you away. Can't imagine camping there unless soaked in DEET.

Note what all of them say about parking. We usually see the Rangers the night before. Make our breakfast once the car is parked.