| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Katahdin - Baxter Peak, Mt. Katahdin - Hamlin Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Chimney Pond Trail, Cathedral Trail, Saddle Trail, Northwest Basin Trail, Hamlin Ridge Trail, North Basin Trail, North Basin Cutoff, Chimney Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 18, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Had a Roaring Brook Parking Pass and Non-resident pass. Plenty of spots open at 7am when I pulled into the RB lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are in amazing condition. A few blowdowns on the North Basin Cutoff. Two marked with tape, all easy to navigate. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
The light rain in the AM and wind throughout the day kept the bugs, particularly the “midges” or “no-see-ums” at bay today. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The intent was a Hamlin to Baxter, Knife’s Edge, Helon Taylor Loop. Enter Mother Nature. Winds at the summit were projected at 40-60mph. I threw my loop plans out the window at the gate when checking in, but kept the idea of a Knife’s Edge traverse alive by climbing Cathedral with the plan of making the call to bypass Hamlin for Knife’s Edge, should conditions become favorable at the Baxter summit.
First, I loved Cathedral Trail! Great scrambles. Reminded me of Huntington’s boulder field and King Ravine a bit. With one spot akin to a challenging section on Great Gully Trail. One spot was particularly tricky, but doable with the right foothold and good grip on the soles.
Second, the wind on Baxter was knocking me off balance and so I bailed on the Knife’s Edge idea and went for Hamlin instead and am so glad I did. The winds softened on that side of the mountain. The Tablelands were amazing and the peace and quiet away from the masses on Katahdin was refreshing. I actually met a well known hiking youtuber on the Saddle Trail in between as well, which was an added bonus, as I have always enjoyed her hiking videos.
The hike down Hamlin Ridge was slow going (for me), but never sketchy. The ridge provided unbelievable views into the glacial cirque northward between Hamlin and Howe Peaks along the North Peaks Trail.
To be able to gaze upon such a vast and beautiful landscape of untouched rugged wilderness in all directions, and for nearly as far as my eyes could see, is what made this hike so remarkable today.
This park is truly a treasure. |
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 | Name: |
Mark S |
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 | E-Mail: |
wapacked@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-07-18 |
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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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