| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Katahdin - Baxter Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Chimney Pond Trail, Saddle Trail, Cathedral Cutoff Trail, Cathedral Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, October 12, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issues getting parking at the Roaring Brook day use lot, even in spite of it being the first day of a holiday weekend. The weather must have scared a fair number of people away |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No issues- all the trails I used were in good shape. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No dogs or pets allowed in Baxter State Park |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
It was a battle between autumn and winter on Katahdin today, with foliage and cool, crisp autumn air (at least after the rain at the beginning of the hike) on the lower parts of the mountain, followed by rain changing over to snow showers starting at around 3,200 ft. in elevation, with semi-winter conditions on the last mile of Saddle Trail to the summit.
Snow and ice covered the ground above treeline, with steady winds of around 50 mph and occasional hurricane-force gusts knocking the wind chill down to around zero.
I brought full winter layers and microspikes and used it all. Anyone trying to reach the summit of Baxter Peak today without the aforementioned layers and microspikes would've been in for a very hazardous time once above treeline. |
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 | Name: |
Spencer |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-12 |
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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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