Staying at one of the campgrounds in Baxter State Park will get you closest to the trails on the day of your hike. date.setHours(date.getHours() - 1); It’s a mountain that has been standing tall for over 400 million years, shaped and sculpted by glaciers, and whose Penobscot name means “greatest mountain.” It’s Mount Katahdin, the centerpiece of 235,000-acre Baxter State Park in north-central Maine and, as the highest mountain in the state (5,267 feet), one of the great pinnacles of New England hiking. Saddle is longer, but not quite as steep, and has loose-rock terrain. Get an early start. The first day we climbed to the second lake. Knife’s Edge in my 20’s…no problem. } window.MSPAN = { We decided to shorter route which was very rocky. Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. Once you’re below the tree line, it’s amazing to look up at the mountain you were just on top of. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Susan Collins wins political fight of her career, beating Sara Gideon to take 5th term, Joe Biden wins 3 of 4 electors in Maine, but Trump wins 2nd District, Susan Collins poised to win 5th term after opening wide lead on Sara Gideon, Janet Mills orders Mainers to wear face coverings in public spaces, Bangor restaurant worker might have spread hepatitis to customers, Maine Democrats oust top GOP lawmaker as Republicans erode House majority in mixed election, Bangor didn’t count more than 1,500 ballots on election night, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. MacGillis left the Berkshire Eagle after that newspaper was purchased in 1995 and went to work at the Globe. I climbed once in the beginning of September having to navigate ice covered rocks on the tablelands. } He is survived by his wife, Ingrid, son Alec MacGillis and daughter Lucy MacGillis. I grew up in the distant shadow of MT Katahdin.

It’s hands-down the most exhilarating pure hike in New England.

Dam, which I had done. }()); By submitting your email address you agree to our.

(Wife wasn’t so happy with that hike, either!).

Paywall: { They are equally scary, although Cathedral takes way more time to climb. Rangers are investigating the circumstances around the death of Nathan Leigh Bell of Walkersville, Maryland, who was found dead the morning of Oct. 8 by other hikers. Sunset Selfies creator trying to change the world by educating orphans, VERIFY: Evidence suggests Sharpie markers have no impact on Arizona vote counting, VERIFY: Sharpies have not led to votes being tossed out in Arizona, Baxter State Park continues phased reopening of trails, campgrounds, Baxter State Park Director wants to dis-Mount Katahdin, Sypitkowski is the name, Baxter is his domain, 'The Monument' sees slight increase in traffic, as it turns 3 years old.

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But Heath had hiked the strenuous Dudley Trail four times in a 24-hour period, with a cumulative 8,000-foot-plus elevation change. First 3 with a friend my hiking equal or more and at around 30 yrs old not hard, but challenging. Our daily headlines email is delivered each morning. I still hike the many trails available to me in mid-coast Maine but I always dream about my next trip to Katahdin. Sure, but if you’re a typical type”B” 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. While not quite as rough, the rockiness of the hike does not ease up after summiting Baxter Peak.

Crossing the Knife Edge and descending Cathedral makes it even tougher. !! Be prepared.

Given the dark and rainy conditions, the hikers were advised to shelter in place until first light when a rescue operation could safely begin. if (!cookieName.test(document.cookie)) { val = parseInt(cookies[i].split('=')[1]);

With Mt. Next day we climbed to the top. I worried that my wife would be angry if she found out. They found the hikers at about 9 a.m. A rescue helicopter hoisted the man aboard at about 10:30 a.m. and returned an hour later for the nephew.