| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Katahdin - Baxter Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Helon Taylor Trail, Knife Edge, Saddle Trail, Chimney Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 3, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Didn't have a parking reservation for the Roaring Brook day use area, so I got to the closed gate super early (shortly before 4 AM) to ensure I could scoop a spot after 7:05 AM (the cutoff time for people with parking reservations). Huge gamble that may not always pay off, so I'd still recommend getting a reservation if you can. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossed via footbridges. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No pets allowed in Baxter State Park, including dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not too bad until the last couple miles of the hike down, but even so, they were a moderate annoyance at worst. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Aside from a few minor patches of mud, all the trails were bone dry and in good condition. The weather was mild with low humidity and mostly sunny skies, which made for very comfortable hiking with stunning views as a reward for my efforts.
I had never hiked Katahdin via the Knife Edge (only other time was via the Hunt Trail back in '15), and after doing it today, it's now a favorite of mine. Some of the most incredible and imposing views and terrain in the eastern United States can be found on this 1.1 mile section of trail, and IMO it should be on any serious hiker's bucket list. I'd stay off it if you have a fear of heights, though- a slip and fall on some areas could have grim results... |
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 | Name: |
Spencer |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-08-03 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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