Knife's Edge, Katahdin

[bart]

Originally Posted by Slingah

awesome....love it

We gotta do a hike this year...

[bart]

This really shows what it's about...

[Sea of Atlas]

I have hiked the peak at least twice and all the four thousand footers in the park, and quite a bit of the other trails. I have been over Knife's Edge and it looks a lot more scary then it is as far as heights. I don't like heights, I should say ledges, and although its steep you would be fine. The main problem would be weather and bugs. Snow kept us off the Saddle which is one of the the easier ways up, we went Cathedral which is non-technical boulder climbing most of the way up. After doing knife's edge we went down Dudley. This was late June, the blackflies were the worst I have ever seen them. We were hiking with bug nets on and it was clouds! We were miserable coming down but it really kept us moving. The park is amazing, I love it. Its a great place to learn to flyfish because the brookies are hungry! Have a blast it makes me want to go again this coming year. I have stayed at Russell Pond but I would really like to hike in and stay at Wassataquoik Lake, there are leantos that are on an island and can only be accessed by Canoe, a beautiful place surrounded by brook trout.

[bart]

SOA- Awesome post, thanks. Feeling more confident about it now..

Never even thought about bugs. My friend who I'm going with has hiked Katahdin several times, but never mentioned that. I am definitely going to pack a bug net now..

I have a question. If I take the Helen Taylor up to the KE, down the Saddle, etc. will I encounter the Chimney? Everyone says that's the hardest part. But it sounds like you might have been climbing it on your hike. Thanks for any insight.

[Sea Dangles]

Looks like the same route we took Rob. Chimney Pond is a great place to stay if you can get reservations there.You will hike right into that camp on your descent.Hikers keep their food suspended so the bears can't reach it. Not many bluebird days there.The ultimate for me would be to approach it from the north but that would require days of hiking. Many years ago we took the Abol Slide down from the Peak;loose scrabble rock for 2000' is not fun. You will get a taste of that on your way down from Katahdin to Chimney Pond. If you are fortunate, you will taolk to some thru hikers at the summit. Crazy accomplishment.Good Luck,that is an awesome trip,and yes,reservations can be made Jan.1st but I think you have to be a Mainer.

[bart]

Chris, thanks again. I think we are actually going to camp at Moosehead and make the long drive in around 3:30 am to ensure a parking space. Someone also posted a link in another forum where you can reserve a space ahead of time so we should be all set.

If you want to do a hike this spring/summer, I'm planning on doing three before Kathadin in the White Mtns and possibly VT, and also a couple after. I'd be down to go whenever...

[Sea Dangles]

If you are staying there make sure you check out Gulf Hagas for a day hike. Beautiful scenery and close by to Moosehead region.A whitewater rafting trip is also a great call in that region and a lot dicier than you might expect.Four weeks out of a hip replacement and I am thinking such hikes may be a possibility,something I haven't considered in years.

[bart]

Oh man didn't realize you had surgery. Sorry to hear that and best wishes moving forward. I had reconstructive surgery on my ACL 4 years ago and never thought I'd be doing mountains again, but not long after my surgery I hiked Liberty in NH. I was in a lot of pain, but it was an awesome feeling of accomplishment. i know having your hip replaced is whole other animal though. Thanks for all your suggestions. I will definitely check out videos/pics of Gulf Hagas...

[Sea of Atlas]

The gap between Pamola and Chimney is probably the hardest part of the Knife's Edge. Mostly for the fact that you have to scramble down and up a small gap and its steep on both sides, if you have a heavy pack, enlist the help of a friend/spotter. I would not classify myself as a fit hiker, I've always been overweight (not built for climbing), but I have strong legs and that is helped me power through. This is a strenous hike but most definetly doable for an average hiker like myself.

Now also consider that access to the park is so limited that you have to get there ridiculously early. We once got there at 5am and waiting in line at the gate but we were too late. We were pissed but we ended up going to Gulf Hagas, which as Seadangles mentioned is a great hike. The "Grand Canyon" of Maine and at the end of the hike, its an out and back along the river, there are some very deep pools and smooth rocks that make for a great waterslide into pools.

The reservations have been changed and I believe now you can reserve a spot no more than 4 months from arrival. I believe to eliminate all the early-birders that normally snatched up all the spots come January 1st. Chimney Pond is a fantastic spot to stay, its majestic, its also a great base camp to do Knife's edge.

[Sea Dangles]

Another great but challenging hike in Maine is the AT fromrt.4 to rt.16. It covers 4 peaks over 4000' and 11 over 3500'. Three days of nothing but wilderness. Up and down the whole time. An accomplishment I will never forget.Sugarloar,saddleback, the horn,all great peaks to add to your list.

[Slingah]

Originally Posted by bart

We gotta do a hike this year...

absolutely we should....I am starting off 2012 with a quick '4000. Mt Tecumseh on Monday.

[bart]

Nice, brother. Have fun and be safe. Take pics. I'll be ready to go early spring.