We climbed to the summit and navigated the Knife Edge. The friends and family made these trips some of my favorite time spent anywhere. Helon Taylor is a long ridge trail with little or no water, so I figured it was better to go that direction, knowing that we could replenish our water (filtered) on the Saddle Trail, at Chimney Pond, and along the trail back to the parking lot. This last mile climbs steadily on a well-constructed trail of pink granite, and Mount Katahdins well-known summit sign finally appears to greet hikers from near and far. (NEWS CENTER) The outdoor world was shocked to learn of the death of John Stetson, 68 of East Holden. Connecting the Helon Taylor Trail to the Knife Edge Trail, Pamola Peakis a great spot fortaking a break on a nice day. We got in line, 5th car back, at 6:57am, but didnt get to the rangers station until 7:03, i.e. First time Roaring Brook to Cathedral to Baxter Peak to Knife Edge to Pamola Peak to Helon Taylor Trail. Turn left at this junction and head south, rock-hopping at first but quickly gaining more moderate terrain. Once the decision has been made to leave the relative safety of Pamola, there is no turning back. Avoid bad weather and wind in this segment at all costs. The Knife's Edge is an epic approach to Baxter Peak. For a complete trail guide of this hike, please visit: https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/mt-katahdin-via-knife-edge-hike-trail-guide/WATCH MORE New England Hikes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjce9PH2Pl75CEgiw0zeUF8r6aIbdILe1YDS Class System Explained: https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/yds-class-system-explained/Purchase Virtual Sherpa Gear Here! The Best Loop, 9 Mi. Staying at one of the campgrounds in Baxter State Park will get you closest to the trails on the day of your hike. On Wednesday, a Massachusetts man fell 50 feet off Knife Edge and later died at a hospital. Nothing beats the view from that summit that I can think of in the NE USA or Atlantic Canada. The hike concluded with a down climb. Plot out your itinerary ahead of time: Decide on your route, andmakeyour Baxter State Park campingor parkingreservations. We have also climbed Katahdin three times with the You can also hike this same loop in reverse! Depending on the season and time of day, there can be quite a crowd at the summit of Mount Katahdin, all eager to take photos with the 5,267-foot summit sign. Bridges along the Chimney Pond Trail take hikers across Roaring Brook. Fortunately, he let us in and we got one of the last parking slots at the campground. Part of me wants to do the AT someday, but that thing look terrifying! The approach on the Helon Taylor trail up to Pamola Peak was an incredible climb. 3rd being via the Knife Edge. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. Take your time to enjoy the sweeping views that surround you, as AT thru-hikers approach across the Tableland and distant lakes sparkle in nearly every direction. Ive hiked Kahtadin four times by 3 routes.
According to a page on the Brookings-Smith website, he graduated from Bangor High School in 1966 and The University of Maine. Its definitely a very special, memorable trail. I climbed Katahdin a few times, but September 2018 was the best. Plan ahead for your hike. Donald MacGillis, a. Example video title will go here for this video. At first light, rangers were able to get to the two men. Preparing for rain on a trip is always a challenge. Example video title will go here for this video. The mans body was brought down from the summit with help from the Maine Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter. I highly recommend this hike, maybe a bit better than the Tuckermans Trail we had done 2 days earlier on Mt Washington, though they are all so different. Katahdin, Massachusetts man dies after falling from Knife Edge at Mt. All, I am very sorry to report the death of my father, newspaper journalist Donald MacGillis, after a hiking accident on Mt Katahdin in Maine. My wife and I hiked Mount Katahdin twice first over Labor Day weekend in 1977 (both in our early 20s) and second in October 2014 (37 years later you can do the math on our ages!) Knifes Edge in my 20sno problem. You will climb over 1,700 feet in 1.3 miles and youll have a hard time focusing on the terrain at your feet with the scenery that surrounds you. I decided to re-tackle this peak via the Knife Edge trail which is one of the most exposed hikes in all of New England. This route is well above treeline, with a cliff on one side and steep talus on the other. Whether youre a long-distance backpacker, a peak bagger, or just someone looking for the best hiking that New England has to offer, a trip to Katahdin has adventure written all over it! on Knife's Edge Trail on Mt. Yes, I climbed Katahdin twice. A Day Use Reservation will be held for you until 7:00 AM on the day of your planned hike; after this time, your spot will be given to other hikers on a first come first serve basis.Maine residents have a leg up on other hikers. Once past this spot you can breathe a little easier, and the climb up to Pamola Peaks summit is short, steep, and trivial by comparison. This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. A line of cars will form at the gate. He was the consummate local/metro newsman in his career as an editor at the Berkshire Eagle & Boston Globe, and he was my ultimate model. While I am not necessarily afraid of heights, I do not welcome the thought of falling great distances which is why every hand and foot placement required quite a bit of thought. Derek Quiet fell while he and some companions were climbing off a marked trail near a part of the summit known as the Knife Edge. You will cross a stream that drains Pamola Pond at mile 1.0, and at mile 2.1 you will arrive at Basin Pond (45.92114, 68.89239). Katahdin is a great challenge but it is so much more than just another hike. Ive climbed it a handful of times with various friends over the years, in a variety of weather and going up and down via the many combinations of foot paths. We respect your privacy. He appreciated the pep talk, and, when we caught up at the summit, I told him I was very proud of him, and said he was now a member of a very exclusive club of Knife Edge adventurershe made the cut.. I grew up in the distant shadow of MT Katahdin. Officials say 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. All rights reserved. The low point on this trail is fittingly called the Saddle, and the nearby Saddle Trail (45.91388, 68.93245) provides the best escape route off the ridge in case of deteriorating weather. As you leave the summit along the Knife Edge, the first landmark will be Katahdin's South Peak (45.90208, 68.91685). Katahdin. Have you ever hiked Mount Katahdin? Once on top of Chimney Peak (45.90525, 68.90649), the single most difficult move of the traverse will present itself. Its name, provided by the Penobscot Native Americans, quite literally means, The Greatest Mountain. A few years later now in our 40s I agree to my girlfriends wish to climb it. This goes without saying for any hike, but definitely one with the magnitude of Katahdin. Pamola Peak guards the eastern end of the Great Basin and is a popular peak because of its proximity to the Roaring Brook trailhead. In the end, and a week or so later, she said she was glad she did it, but was glad this was the last of our peak topping that vacation. It took 4 hours because she was exhausted. The boulder hopping on the Knife Edge can be daunting for someone who doesnt have good balance, and thats why it often takes so long to complete. It requires a bit of true climbing and some skill in finding footholds especially if you have short legs. In this video, we hike up to Baxter Peak, the top of Mt. Sign in at the trailhead register here and head west up the Chimney Pond trail along the southwest bank of the river. After breaking my ankle while running, we had to cancel our Colorado climbs. And once you reach the Chimney Pond Trail, the hiking eases up considerably, with flatter terrain and lovelybridges. Knife Edge is a 1.1 mile fully exposed, technical hike. Post your experience and the trail conditions (with the date of your hike) in the comments for others! I hiked on Monday 8/5/19 with my best friends Will and Pete. The number of hikers who can climb Mount Katahdin is limited by the number of parking spots at the trailheads. It's also a fully exposed climb in. Be sure to hydrate prior to and during your hike! The most difficult section is the notch just after Pamola Peak (or just before, depending on your direction). In downtown Millinocket, about an hour away from the park,youll finda number of inns, cabins, lodges, camping, and bed-and-breakfasts. No! a Massachusetts man fell 50 feet off Knife Edge and later died at a hospital. Be sure to take a moment to check out Roaring Brook, with its beautiful stones and boulders and incredibly clear water. If youre forced to take your chances on a first come first serve parking space, you need to be prepared to wake up early. It is very important that you pack multiple high-energy snacks for your trip. Most of the edges are very steep but not sheer. You can access the Helon Taylor and Chimney Pond trails from the Roaring Brook Campground, the Abol Trail from the Abol Campground, and the Hunt Trail from the Katahdin Stream Campground. He was a well-known and highly respected outdoorsman and adventurer who often led groups in the back country. Finally meeting her match we dont get to Baxter Peak until 4pm. Energy chews are another great item to bring along as well. According to a tweet from his son MacGillis was a journalist who had worked as an editor for the Berkshire Eagle and the Boston Globe. According to a tweet from his son, MacGillis was a journalist who had worked as an editor for the Berkshire Eagle and the Boston Globe. Difficulty: The better option will be to continue following the blue blazes along the Helon Taylor trail, following the spine of the Keep Ridge and eventually below tree line. Sure, but if youre a typical typeB person like me, for your own safety, be prepared for a long, intense day that you will be talking about long after you return home. Continue to follow the main trail up the ridge, passing both the Cathedral cutoff and the Cathedral trails en route. Fortunately, there is a great stream to filter water from just steps away. Katahdin. gtag('config', 'G-S1906WCVFC');
, Copyright 2023 | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Our decision-making skills kept us from traversing Knife Edge and making it to Katahdin in August of 2019. The crystal clear waters of Roaring Brook made for a great water source (treated) and we brought about 2.5 liters apiece. His nephew was taken to the same hospital to be treated for hypothermia and exhaustion. The first view up Katahdin is at around 2.4 miles, but the "peak" that is visible is actually just where the slide turns into the "Tableland" plateau. We were in Millinocket to go white water rafting and camping. The trail climbs up and over boulders and open rock slabs to the crest of the ridge, leaving the trees far below and eventually ascending to 4,756-foot Hamlin Peak, Maines second highest official 4,000-foot-er. I always had great weather. If your desired campground and/or parking lot is full, youll have to look elsewhere. At first light, rangers were able to get to the two men. I climbed katahdin when I was 13 and every time after when a sibling (4) turned 13. Get an early start. Hopefully, youre able to complete the hike youve set out to do! water filter we could have been in fairly serious trouble. My favorite is Roaring Brook to Chimney pond, up Catherdral to the Summit, across knifes edge and down Helton Taylor. #Katahdin #Baxter #MtKatahdin #knifeedge #Flood #HikinginrainMount Katahdin Knife Edge, Washed out after the Storm:Mount Katahdin is Maine's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The section called the knife edge is a narrow, rocky hike along the ridge of the. Being above treeline means you are fully exposed to the elements including wind, rain, hail, fog, lightning, snow, and cold. Please note that many establishments throughout New England have modified their hours and/or operations in response to COVID-19. However, when the top ends of his frame back kept getting jammed on the rock overhangs and he tried to muffle his sobs, I realized that my enthusiasm might have just crossed the line. This is a great spot to stop for a snack and to take in a breathtaking view of the mountain ridges that you will soon be climbing. The Togue Pond gatehouse is the only local way to get into the park by car, and it opens at 6AM. Alan Bernier has spent the better part of the last 20 years bagging peaks large and small across the country, including over 2,000 different mountains in New England. The Medical Examiners office is working to determine what caused his death. But its an incredibly scenic trail and great fun to hike. Breaking above the tree line on the Helon Taylor Trail bringssome tougher climbing but also beautiful views. Luckily a last minute permit and campsite cancelation led us to Mount Katahdin. Shes now exhausted. To get there, youll take Interstate 95 to exit 244, then wind your way west on route 157 through the logging communities of Medway and East Millinocket until you reach Maines biggest small town. If you are lucky enough to have a trailhead reservation, just remember that these reservations expire at 7:05 AM and you will lose your spot if youre not in line by then. Please honor this mission while hiking Mount Katahdin and remember, its wild out there. Distance: 11.8 miles, round-trip If Katahdins a no-go, there are plenty of other peaks in the park to visit such as South Turner, Doubletop, or North Brother. In those days you had to get written permission from the Great Northern Paper Co. to cross the Ripogenis (?) Thank you!We have T-Shirts now too, check them out here: https://teespring.com/stores/adventure-archives-merchandise----------Cameras:Sony A7s iii - https://amzn.to/36zROjkLenses:Sony 20mm f1.8 - https://amzn.to/3otOhZTSigma 28-70 - https://amzn.to/3IcEdyUMic:Rode Videomic Pro+ - https://amzn.to/2QBMjbX--OUR CAMPING GEAR!--Virtus Knives - http://www.virtusknives.com/store/Condor Bushlore Knife - http://amzn.to/1JaBBv7Equinox Egret Tarp - http://amzn.to/1BIqkmWEureka Casper Sleeping Bag - http://amzn.to/1BXhlxHBuck 119 Knife - http://amzn.to/1TrKgQYMora Craftline Q Knife - http://amzn.to/1TrKffTKatadyn Water Filter - http://amzn.to/1onus3PPlatypus Bladder - http://amzn.to/1TrKfNcSome of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. http://www.pressherald.com/news/state/ . If needed, the Saddle trail descends 0.9 miles down steep and loose gravel to Chimney Pond, and 3.3 miles back to the original trailhead. Copyright 2020 WABI. Saddle is longer, but not quite as steep,and hasloose-rockterrain. Whether theyre looking to complete the Appalachian Trail or hike the highest mountain in Maine, summiting Katahdin is their answer. A funeral is being held on Friday at 3:30 also at Brookings-Smith officiated by Pastor Jon Ouellette.Gifts in Mr. Stetsons memory may be made to the Maine Muscular Dystrophy Association, 39 Mechanic Street #100, Westbrook, Maine 04192. The lands in the park were gifted to the state by former Governor Percival Baxter between 1931 and 1962, and as such are required to remain forever wild. This means that you will have to abide by such arcane regulations as no pets allowed, no power equipment such as chainsaws, generators, or Bluetooth speakers, no public consumption of alcohol, no drones, no children under the age of 6 above tree line on Katahdin, and no wearing of white cargo pants after Labor Day. Pamola & Chimney Peaks, Mt Katahdin. As these become easier and you learn more about the great outdoors, start to increase the distance of your hike and the weight of your pack. A kind ranger met us on the way back and lent us a flashlight to improve the visibility of the trail (better than the headlamps!) Hiking Mount Katahdin is a full days work! Its important that you plan ahead and prepare for exposure. But one state over and roughly 200 miles away, there stands a mountain that draws adventurers from all over to the rural back roads of Maine, the lush forests of Baxter State Park, and trails that are more like a game of rocky hopscotch. The traverse across Knife Edge is relatively tough and requires focus and agility. Lots of exposure. Absolutely! MacGillis was flown to a Bangor hospital but did not survive. Whilenot quite as rough, the rockiness of the hike does not ease up after summiting Baxter Peak. Park officials tell us that around 11:30 a.m., someone called 9-1-1 to report the death. The Edge is not for the feint of heart, but a truly breathtaking experience. There are several options for hiking Mount Katahdin.The Easiest, 10.4 Mi. The view after crossing the Knife Edge Trail. He is survived by Alanna, his wife of forty years, their four children and five grandchildren. On average, it takes hikers around 10 hours to complete a round-trip Katahdin hike. Another hiker dies on Mt. I decided to re-tackle this peak via the Knife Edge trail which is one of the most exposed hikes in all of New England. All day use reservations need to check-in by 7:00 AM. I still hike the many trails available to me in mid-coast Maine but I always dream about my next trip to Katahdin. Percival P. Baxter, once the governor of Maine, donated the land of Baxter State Park to create, protect, and provide the people of Maine a wilderness area. Katahdin in Maine using the Helon Taylor Trail. It took an agonizing 4 and now its 8pm and I know we arent going to make it. We opted out of our adventure and made the very disappointing hike back down to the car. Officials say 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. If weather looks bad though turn around and head in. Thanks again for a wonderful article. A Foggy View of Knife Edge Hiking Mount Katahdin. And lessons learned. We woke up in our campsite near the park at 5:00, leaving at 5:30 to arrive around 6:00, then started our hike at about 7:15 and ended at about 4:40.