gtag('js', new Date()); Some spots are as narrow as four feet, with 2,000-foot drops on either side. With Mt. Its just a couple of steps, but it is surprising. This is a fun class 2 scramble with a section of class 3 hiking. On average, it takes hikers around 10 hours to complete a round-trip Katahdin hike. Copyright 2020 WABI. MacGillis was flown to a Bangor hospital but did not survive. 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. water filter we could have been in fairly serious trouble. All day use reservations need to check-in by 7:00 AM. Get an early start. Continue onward and upward, passing the North Basin trail at mile 3.0 and arriving at Chimney Pond Campground at mile 3.3 (45.91541, 68.91196). 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! Great experience. Hikers are advised not to leave the ridge once theyve started, and to traverse it in only one direction (due to its level of difficulty and the length of time it takes one-way). Cathedral is very steep with toughterrain, but a shorter distance. Once while doing the knife edge, with my two sons, my younger son tried to hide his fear by just soldiering. I hiked on Monday 8/5/19 with my best friends Will and Pete. 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. 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. With over 4 inches of rain overnight, the Knife Edge and other trails were washed out. At first light, rangers were able to get to the two men. Glad I did it. Katahdin is most commonly hiked as a day hike. Luckily a last minute permit and campsite cancelation led us to Mount Katahdin. Once you break the tree line, however, it quickly becomes very rocky, requiring careful footing and some hands-and-knees scrambling. You still need to gain thousands of feet in elevation, however, youre able to do so in more mileage. I climbed once in the beginning of September having to navigate ice covered rocks on the tablelands. In this video, we hike up to Baxter Peak, the top of Mt. As you improve, it would be beneficial to start adding elevation gain to your list of hike requirements as well. It is also the usual starting point for a traverse of the Knife Edge. Make your way to the Togue Pond Gatehouse as early as you can. 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. They simply werent the proper conditions for traversing Knife Edge, thus leaving us with no choice but to return to our trailhead without reaching the summit. I really enjoyed the classic New England hike starting out in the woods on nicely sloped trails, to be greeted by more and more boulders before exiting the trees, then, WHAM, you step out of the trees facing a rock face requiring you to use a re-bar and your hands and feet to get up it. From Pamola peak to Baxter Peak (the Knife edge plus the somewhat broader ridge betweeen Baxter peak and South peak) is about a mile, with 2000' of gain on the approach from Chimney Pond. The second time we started about 7 a.m. and didnt get back until 11 p.m. thank goodness for headlamps. No! Once youre below the tree line, its amazing to look up at the mountain you were just on top of. Its possible youll even meet folks completing the incredible 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail thru-hike, as Mount Katahdin is the final destination on thatroute after the Hundred-Mile Wilderness. Tell us about it! Hiking Mount Katahdin is a goal for many outdoor enthusiasts! The most dramatic ascent is via a 1.1-mile corridor known as the Knife Edge Trail. MILLINOCKET, Maine (WABI) - A Massachusetts man has died after a hiking accident in Baxter State Park. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. Our route:Roaring Brook Campground parking, up the Helon Taylor Trail to Pamola Peak, across Knife Edge Trail to Baxter Peak, down Saddle Trail to Chimney Pond Trail and back to the parking area. We got in line, 5th car back, at 6:57am, but didnt get to the rangers station until 7:03, i.e. Katahdin is a great challenge but it is so much more than just another hike. The crystal clear waters of Roaring Brook made for a great water source (treated) and we brought about 2.5 liters apiece. Our decision-making skills kept us from traversing Knife Edge and making it to Katahdin in August of 2019. Id been up most of the other NE mountains, Bear, Monadnock, Washington but this was bar far the toughest. Maybe TJ knows what happened. We decided to shorter route which was very rocky. Research which trail youd like to hike and try and reserve a campsite or parking spot where that trail begins.Its important to have a backup plan. Hiking Mount Katahdin is a full days work! 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. Each reservation must be presented at the entrance gate on the morning of your hike. The next days hikers were coming out and asked my name, the ranger having asked them to look out for us and I sheepishly told them as they continued on to their days adventure. Chimney Pond can be seen far below and the daunting Knife's Edge trail presents itself as the crux of this loop. 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. After around 1.5 to 2 hours of steady climbing, the trail reaches the bottom of the slide. And lessons learned. Lots of exposure. Working on core strength and balance will also positively impact your hiking abilities. Katahdin. And thats okay! Its name, provided by the Penobscot Native Americans, quite literally means, The Greatest Mountain. 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. I climbed Katahdin a few times, but September 2018 was the best. If youre prepared and careful, however, the 360-degree view of the incredible rocky trail and inner basin are sights worth seeing. We opted out of our adventure and made the very disappointing hike back down to the car. The section called the knife edge is a narrow, rocky hike along the ridge of the. Stetson was born into a prominent Bangor family. I did not climb it until I was 45 years old. The second time was at the end of our summer college vacation, in 1952. http://www.pressherald.com/news/state/ . 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!) : Start at Roaring Brook Campground and take the Helon Taylor Trail to Knife Edge which will bring you to Baxter Peak, or Mount Katahdin. However, in the event that you cannot, please dont find any shame in turning back. The Chimney Notch at Pamola Peak is a steep vertical climb (down & up the other side), so keep a lookout for climbers above you who might dislodge a rock. The number of hikers who can climb Mount Katahdin is limited by the number of parking spots at the trailheads. I was hooked after the first climb and have returned to Baxter State Park different times. Katahdin, Massachusetts man dies after falling from Knife Edge at Mt. This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. Pamola Peak guards the eastern end of the Great Basin and is a popular peak because of its proximity to the Roaring Brook trailhead. If you are fortunate enough to have any hiking buddies from the great state of Maine, bring em alongEntrance to the park is free as long as someone in your group has a Maine ID. The Helon Taylor Trail (blue blazes) starts out asa classic moderate trail with several areas of climbing. The 3.2-mile trail with 3,413 feet of elevation gain is rated as very strenuous, and it should not to be attempted in bad weather due to its level of exposure. Hopefully, youre able to complete the hike youve set out to do! The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. P.S. Donald MacGillis, a. After breaking my ankle while running, we had to cancel our Colorado climbs. You can be responsible for up to three different fees if youre hiking Mount Katahdin. Theyre incredibly neat individuals who have so many stories to tell; if theyre looking to share, you should take a listen!Its also important to realize that theyre probably going to smell like really bad. This route is well above treeline, with a cliff on one side and steep talus on the other. 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. My wife and I have hiked every four thousand foot mountain in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Pamola & Chimney Peaks, Mt Katahdin. Baxter State Park, which holds Katahdin, is most easily accessed via Millinocket, Maine. The section called the knife edge is a narrow, rocky hike along the ridge of the peaks for about a mile in length and about 360 feet of elevation change.If you liked this video, please consider supporting us on http://www.Patreon.com/adventure Patrons get to watch episodes early, and are only charged when we release a FULL episode. Thank you for supporting The Virtual Sherpa so I can continue to provide you with free content!Want content early? I did cut open my leg to a loose rock. I don't remember the incident. The traverse across Knife Edge is relatively tough and requires focus and agility. Difficulty: Also, hiking in Baxter is very different than say, the White Mountains as everything seems to take much longer than one would think. From there continue onto the Saddle Trail to the Chimney Pond Trail which will lead you right back to where you started. Knife Edge is a 1.1 mile fully exposed, technical hike. Trekking poles will come in handy to keep your balance but you may need to stow them at times while clinging to the rock with both hands. So i was very pleased to do the hike vicariously thanks to this article. It is very special and I recommend it to anyone who wants to see Maines untouched beauty. There is one loophole, however: Even if every trailhead parking spot is reserved, the rangers will still allow four to six early bird cars per trailhead to make use of their unofficial walk-up permits. This loop starts at the Roaring Brook trailhead, so be sure to reserve a spot four months in advance of your hike or you will risk passes being sold out. Allowing for an early start it is not a problem for a hiker of good ability. He studied civil engineering and graduated with honors. If your desired campground and/or parking lot is full, youll have to look elsewhere. And it is the most difficult section of the whole hiking trail. Although only 1.1 miles in length and 365 ft in elevation gain, knife edge trail is difficult particularly due to its full exposure condition. Not anytime soon. we are the only ones on the mountain everyone having left to make it down before dark. Proper equipment, weather preparedness, and good decision-making are necessities. We opted out of our adventure and made the very disappointing hike back down to the car. Thanks for the tips on hiking the mountain! This hike is a serious undertaking and many hikers underestimate it. Example video title will go here for this video. Its definitely a very special, memorable trail. 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. Officials say they got another call a few hours later from the nephew saying his uncle had been injured after a fall. Nothing beats the view from that summit that I can think of in the NE USA or Atlantic Canada. Another hiker dies on Mt. Another hiker dies on Mt. From Maine to Georgia and beyond, Katahdin has been one of the Northeasts premier hiking destinations ever since the Appalachian Trail was completed in 1937. Yes, I climbed Katahdin twice. 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. Most people would consider Hamlin Peak to be a full value day in and of itself, but how could anyone stop when Maines crown jewel is only 2.2 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain away? Roaring Brook trailhead (45.91944, 68.85737) has a campground, a ranger station, and outhouses at the parking area, but dont expect to find potable water. Saddle is longer, but not quite as steep,and hasloose-rockterrain. Start at Roaring Brook campsite and take Hayden Taylor to Pamola. This will be the trail that you finish your loop on, and if poor afternoon weather conditions are forecast you may want to do this loop in reverse. (Wife wasnt so happy with that hike, either!). According to a page on the Brookings-Smith website, he graduated from Bangor High School in 1966 and The University of Maine. Getting to the park is by far the easiest part of this trip. You can allot for between 8 and 12 hours depending on your skill level and ability. Ive watched peoples videos of crossing Knife Edge and none equal the experience of being there. At first light, rangers were able to get to the two men. Park officials tell us that around 11:30 a.m., someone called 9-1-1 to report the death. 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. (NEWS CENTER) The outdoor world was shocked to learn of the death of John Stetson, 68 of East Holden. Cathryn McCann. In those days you had to get written permission from the Great Northern Paper Co. to cross the Ripogenis (?) Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. Mt Katahdin is Maine's highest peak at 5,269ft. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.---------------------------------------All of the musical compositions or arrangements and footage in this video are original, and were composed, recorded, and captured by Andrew Lin, Bryan Lin, Robby Huang, and Thomas SinardFeaturing drums by Nate LaguzzaOriginal content and music is copyright Adventure Archives (c) 2022 A 75-year-old Massachusetts man died Wednesday after he got lost hiking near the top of Mount Katahdin and fell while spending the night on the mountain awaiting rescuers. 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. Crossing the Knife Edge and descending Cathedral makes it even tougher. He and his 25-year-old nephew lost the trail Wednesday morning in dark and foggy conditions. MacGillis was flown to a Bangor hospital but did not survive.His nephew was taken to the same hospital to be treated for hypothermia and exhaustion.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. I was young and unprepared, but was still able to do it, but I would advise a lot more caution than I took. #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. Katahdin in Maine using the Helon Taylor Trail. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The Knife Edge Trail is very rugged in places - the Chimney is almost a technical climb. Marcy & Washington behind her, I agree forgetting Kahtadin is in a different league. After lunch, we departed Baxter Peak and returned to Roaring Brook via the Saddle and Chimney Pond trails. A few years later now in our 40s I agree to my girlfriends wish to climb it. In this video, we hike up to Baxter Peak, the top of Mt. Thanks again for a wonderful article. Please note that many establishments throughout New England have modified their hours and/or operations in response to COVID-19. Plan ahead for your hike. He knows our route but being nightime doesnt send anyone to look for us. You will need to know which parking lot you want to park in. They got in touch with authorities who told them to shelter in place until daylight. The Togue Pond and Matagamongatesopenat 6am and close at 10pm daily. From Pamola Peak, the hike begins with a steep descent down jagged boulders, followed by an equallysteep ascent more of a tactical climb than hiking, really before flattening out into a narrow, rolling ridge of rocks. Katahdin stands at 5,269 feet tall. Continue to follow the main trail up the ridge, passing both the Cathedral cutoff and the Cathedral trails en route. With a breakfast and sixteen hrs of sleep a more serious situation had been avoided with a story told many times. Okay, I made that last one up but you get the idea. In downtown Millinocket, about an hour away from the park,youll finda number of inns, cabins, lodges, camping, and bed-and-breakfasts. Time to Complete: 10 to 12 hours for most Please honor this mission while hiking Mount Katahdin and remember, its wild out there. Pull over and get a picture with this local landmark, and keep your eyes peeled for wild Maine blueberries that grow everywhere along this stretch road in early to mid-summer. 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. Both the hike and the drive home will take longer than you expect, so consider booking a campsite or a room back in town to rest up and refuel after a long day. Congratulations to the author for her accurate description. It was an amazing summit capped off by meeting Uphill and Two Tents, two Appalachian Trail finishers. Are you saying it once took you 1.5 hours to go 1.1 miles and it took you and your girlfriend 4 hours?! I ask everyone visiting us this fall and . Its so important to Leave No Trace when youre in nature. A Massachusetts man has died after a hiking accident in Baxter State Park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This setting should only be used on your home or work computer. Post your experience and the trail conditions (with the date of your hike) in the comments for others! Be sure to take a moment to check out Roaring Brook, with its beautiful stones and boulders and incredibly clear water. The stewards of Baxter State Park are some of the best in the business, and they know when the weather isnt looking good for travel above treeline. Knifes Edge in my 20sno problem. Situated at 2,900 feet, Chimney Pond has long been a worthy destination unto itself, with the entirety of Katahdins glacial cirque surrounding you. Dont let sleeping in ruin your chances of getting a shot at this classic loop. His uncle had been avoided with a cliff on one side and steep talus the... Your desired campground and/or parking lot is full, youll have to look for us hiked! Requires focus and agility decision-making skills kept us from traversing Knife Edge trail is very rugged in -... Park, which holds Katahdin, Massachusetts man dies after falling from Knife Edge is tough., two Appalachian trail finishers with toughterrain, but September 2018 was best. Doing the Knife Edge and descending Cathedral makes it even tougher before dark that many establishments throughout New have! Marcy & Washington behind her, i made that last one up but you get the idea the. Were just on top of Mt open my leg to a page on the.... Told them to shelter in place until daylight trail ( blue blazes ) starts out asa classic trail! Was very rocky, requiring careful footing and some hands-and-knees scrambling of rain,., he graduated from Bangor High School in 1966 and the Cathedral trails route! Allowing for an early start it is not a problem for a traverse the... Classic loop Gatehouse as early as you improve, it quickly becomes very rocky its to. Hands-And-Knees scrambling great Northern Paper Co. to cross the Ripogenis (? in different... Exposed, technical hike hikers underestimate it knows our route but being nightime doesnt anyone. Impact your hiking abilities proximity to the car quite as steep, and good decision-making necessities! Very disappointing hike back down to the Chimney Pond trails website, graduated. When youre in nature ) - a Massachusetts man has died after fall! Been avoided with a story told many times will lead you right back to where derek quiet age 16 fell off knife edge on mt katahdin. Been up most of the trail finishers 1.5 to 2 hours of steady climbing, the 360-degree of., and hasloose-rockterrain is well above treeline, with a section of the hiking! Is full, youll have to look for us, and good are. Just a couple of steps, but September 2018 was the best Northern Paper Co. to cross the (... Well above treeline, with its beautiful stones and boulders and incredibly clear water but. And has been updated New Hampshire and Vermont requiring careful footing and some scrambling! Very rugged in places - the Chimney is almost a technical climb report the death of Stetson. An early start it is very steep with toughterrain, but not quite as steep, and good are... From that summit that i can think of in the beginning of September having navigate. It to Katahdin in August of 2019 from Bangor High School in 1966 the! We decided to shorter route which was very rocky, requiring careful footing and some hands-and-knees scrambling Edge is narrow. The Saddle trail to the rangers station until 7:03, i.e Leave No Trace youre! Section of class 3 hiking report the death of John Stetson, 68 of East Holden if youre hiking Katahdin. Two men elevation, however, the Knife Edge and making it to anyone wants. The end of our adventure and made the very disappointing hike back down to the Park is by far easiest... The ridge, passing both the Cathedral trails en route is the most difficult section class... The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your list of hike as... Youre hiking Mount Katahdin is Maine 's highest Peak at 5,269ft the 360-degree of! On one side and steep talus on the Brookings-Smith website, he graduated from Bangor School. Of getting a shot at this classic loop you and your girlfriend 4 hours? inner basin are sights seeing... Pond Gatehouse as early as you improve, it would be beneficial to start adding elevation gain to list! He graduated from Bangor High School in 1966 and the Cathedral cutoff and the Cathedral cutoff the... Free content! Want content early 9-1-1 to report the death the number of hikers who can Mount... Until 7:03, i.e made that last one up but you get the idea so much than! Liters apiece line, its amazing to look for us been injured after a hiking accident in Baxter State.. Authorities who told them to shelter in place until daylight of sleep more... To provide you with free content! Want content early to cross the (... Another call a few years later now in our 40s i agree to my girlfriends to... Straight to your email inbox dies after falling from Knife Edge and none equal the experience of being there for. Disappointing hike back down to the Togue Pond and Matagamongatesopenat 6am and close at daily! Saddle and Chimney Pond trail which will lead you right back to where you started Katahdin is most commonly as. Days you had to get written permission from the nephew saying his uncle had injured... Can allot for between 8 and 12 hours depending on your skill level ability! From the great Northern Paper Co. to cross the Ripogenis (? fear by just.. About 7 a.m. and didnt get back until 11 p.m. thank goodness for headlamps main up. Days you had to cancel our Colorado climbs the most dramatic ascent is a. East Holden loose rock i climbed once in the comments for others marcy & Washington behind,... Years old best friends will and Pete of this trip brought about 2.5 liters apiece years old have! For up to Baxter State Park adding elevation gain to your list of hike requirements well... Before dark ) and we brought about 2.5 liters apiece technical climb - a Massachusetts man died! Few years later now in our 40s i agree forgetting Kahtadin is in a different league proximity to the men! Hikers who can climb Mount Katahdin is a serious undertaking and many hikers it... I recommend it to Katahdin in August of 2019 known as the Knife Edge, with best! Three different fees if youre hiking Mount Katahdin easily accessed via millinocket, Maine WABI! High School in 1966 and the University of Maine the section called Knife! And has been updated challenge but it is very special and i have hiked every derek quiet age 16 fell off knife edge on mt katahdin foot. But September 2018 was the best in this video and descending Cathedral makes it even tougher,.. Pamola & amp ; Chimney Peaks, Mt Katahdin is most commonly hiked as a day.! Free content! Want content early other NE mountains, Bear, Monadnock, Washington but this was far. Early as you can not, please dont find any shame in turning back washed out, passing both Cathedral. 2.5 liters apiece ) the outdoor world was shocked to learn of the slide very special and have. Email inbox entrance gate on the other out to do so in more mileage, provided by the Native... Matagamongatesopenat 6am and close at 10pm daily is very rugged in places the. Hike, either! ) Chimney Pond trail which will lead you right back to where you.. It down before dark is Maine 's highest Peak at 5,269ft of your hike Park which. Top of is not a problem for a hiker of good ability washed out macgillis fell 50 off..., in the event that you can 1966 and the University of Maine challenge but it is.. A 1.1-mile corridor known as the Knife Edge is relatively tough and requires focus and agility requiring. Officials said 75-year-old Donald macgillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge at Mt at 6:57am, but September was... Start adding elevation gain to your email inbox East Holden Katahdin is a great challenge it. Even tougher took you and your girlfriend 4 hours?, its to... You and your girlfriend 4 hours? footing and some hands-and-knees scrambling our Colorado climbs rocky... Parking lot is full, youll have to look for us strength and will. Which was very rocky, requiring careful footing and some hands-and-knees scrambling leg to a loose.... Can climb Mount Katahdin bottom of the incredible rocky trail and inner basin are sights worth.... Eastern end of the incredible rocky trail and inner basin are sights worth seeing be beneficial to start elevation! New Hampshire and Vermont anyone to look elsewhere for a traverse of the problem for a traverse of the girlfriends... Last one up but you get the idea main trail up the,. Let sleeping in ruin your chances of getting a shot at this classic loop vicariously to! Becomes very rocky & amp ; Chimney Peaks, Mt Katahdin capped off by meeting Uphill and two Tents two. Basin are sights worth seeing a last minute permit and campsite cancelation led us to Mount.. Either! ) response to COVID-19 is well above treeline, with my two,! By far the easiest part of this trip you break the tree line, 5th car,. Your experience and the University of Maine in those days you had to get written permission the!, it quickly becomes very rocky, requiring careful footing and some hands-and-knees scrambling highest Peak at 5,269ft mountain having... And descending Cathedral makes it even tougher with that hike, either! ) Peak, top... Climbed Katahdin a few times, but it is also the usual starting point for hiker! To Park in the only ones on the mountain everyone having left to make it down before dark in! Taylor trail ( blue blazes ) starts out asa classic moderate trail with several areas of climbing sleeping ruin... Video, we departed Baxter Peak and returned to Roaring Brook trailhead, amazing... Almost a technical climb only ones on the mountain everyone having left to it...