| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Howe Peak, Mt. Katahdin - Hamlin Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
North Peaks Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, July 8, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Roaring Brook backcountry lot had plenty of room when we arrived at noon. We had a reservation for 1 night at Russell Pond and 1 night at Chimney Pond, it's always advisable to get a parking pass/reservation online before heading to Baxter Park. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossing the Wassataquoik Stream at the beginning of the North Peaks Trail (from Russell Pond campground) was manageable with full packs. Trekking poles were very handy and recommended. This would have been a challenging crossing with higher flow rates. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
This is a very infrequently used trail and trail maintenance, mostly brushing-out or vegetation/overgrowth, reflects this. We only lost the trail twice and we immediately sensed it and backtracked to rejoin the trail. If you focus on the footpath in the more dense sections (where blowdowns have opened up the overstory) you can stay on track. Blue blazes are mostly consistent and helpful. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No dogs allowed in BSP. |
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 | Bugs: |
Very dense and annoying (mosquitos) for the first 2 miles heading south from Russell Pond campground. Nonexistent above treeline but got bad again after we dropped off the tablelands on the Saddle Trail. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The North Peaks Trail is by FAR the least traveled marked-route up Mt. Katahdin. We traveled for 7 hours without seeing another person in peak (July) season. The footprints of previous hikers on the trail were 1-2 days old. There are a few reasons that so few people use the North Peaks Trail, namely that you have to hike 7 miles into the center of the park before you get to the trailhead and that it parallels another very cool trail up the mountain, the Northwest Basin Trail, which I highly recommend. That said, it was a delightful, true wilderness experience with beautiful woods, streams, and above treeline hiking. Once we got above treeline (for roughly the last 1/3 of the trail) the spectacular views of the Brothers, the Travelers, the Northwest Basin rim, the Howe Peaks (be advised, many false peaks), the Tablelands, Hamlin peak and views over to Baxter Peak and into the Great Basin were spectacular. If you have hiked all the other marked trails up Katahdin, I would definitely recommend the North Peaks Trail. |
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 | Name: |
Steve |
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 | E-Mail: |
mitman13@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-07-18 |
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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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