| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Katahdin (Baxter Peak), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Hunt Trail, Abol Trail, Abol Stream Trail, Tote Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 31, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked in sand pit near electric power pylons at Abol Bridge outside of Baxter State Park |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridges intact and useable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail crews were actively at work on the new rerouted section of Abol Trail. A lot of loose material under foot that could cause slipping. It would be nice if there were mile marker signs posted every 1/2 mile or even every mile or so hikers can check their progress and distance to go along a trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None seem as dogs are prohibited in Baxter Park. |
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 | Bugs: |
NO black flys, A few mosquitoes in damp areas. Used no insect repellent and no net- yet bugs were not bad at all either in the day or at night. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Saw a ball cap, can't remember where. Also someone "lost" a small empty Poland Spring water bottle. Other than that, didn't see any litter any where. |
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 | Comments: |
Parked in the evening July 30 at Abol Bridge (about 550 ft elevation)and hiked the first 6 hours in darkness with a headlamp and a flashlight as needed. Left parking and took the short section of the AT to Abol Stream Trail and entered Baxter State Park at the register box. Took Abol Stream Trail to Abol Pond, then turned north to Tote Road. Took Tote Road to Katahdin Stream Campground (at 1,079 ft and now July 31) and then took Hunt Trail (AT) up to about 3,000 ft and at which point the sky lightened and night was ending. Stepped around a 2 foot snake and several toads (one large one) on the trail. No other ground animals encountered except for a small rodent. We found the boulder field on Hunt a little difficult in a couple places. I could imagine some hikers considering turning back at the boulder Field. Boulder field could be dangerous to do in darkness even with a head lamp. A few sections of Hunt Trail were wet and with running water. On the tableland, Thoreau Spring had water. Clear sky at night, 52 degrees on the thermometer at Katahdin Stream Campground. In the morning some clouds and haziness appeared and a little fog on Baxter Peak (5,267 ft) for a short time. Sun was kind of in and out. About 100 people on and near the summit of Baxter Peak hanging out. Took the "new" Abol Trail down to Abol camp ground. The new section of the trail trail (to avoid most of the "slide") includes many switchbacks is still under construction with trail crews at work and their tools scattered about. The first 1000 feet or so of Abol Trail (kind of a slide) near the table land is unchanged and quite steep and challenging. Then the new long section with switch backs begins. Eventually it ends when it reconnects to the old Abol trail which is somewhat rocky. Abol Trail was VERY dry with no sources of water, except for one place very near the bottom with a little standing running water. Was able to make a cellular connection on Baxter Peak (Verizon is my network) and a voice call with a flip phone. I overheard someone with a smart phone saying they couldn't get a data connection. Spoke with a park ranger who said that the 300-400 black bears in the park don't cause humans any problems since the park eliminated trash containers and dumps and users are required to not leave any food or food waste about. He also said "Abol" (A ball) is an extreme shortening of a local Indian word. |
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 | Name: |
sota |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-08-01 |
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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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