HowTo Hike Mt Katahdin

[Frank Perkins]

[This is not exactly a trip report, but rather a post to help me plan my trip]

I'm looking to hike Mt Katahdin in a few weeks and I was hoping for suggestions around the logistics of the trip. We're coming from CT so it's going to be about a 8.5 hour drive up. I'm thinking that we'll have to leave early on Friday and grab a hotel in Millonocket. Early Saturday morning we can get to the parking lot early before it fills up. We're thinking of doing the Katahdin traverse, but might opt for the hunt trail instead.

My questions are:

1) What to do after hiking Mt Katahdin? Is it possible to do some backcountry camping or must I camp at the Katahdin Stream campground

2) A Sat/Sun trip would be ideal so if anyone has any ideas for a 2 day trip, that would be great.

TIA

[john flanagan]

The key thing to know about Baxter SP is that it is heavily regulated. There is no camping outside of designated sites. If you don't have one reserved, I wouldn't get your hopes up, but it can't hurt to call and ask. You'r trip will probably be dictated by available sites, so again – best advice is to call. The website is:
http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/index.html

There are no loops from the W side of the mountain. Fron the east, it's possible. The approach is from Roaring Brook > Chimney Pond > summit (several options) > Davis Pond leanto(if you are lucky – it's popular) or Wassataquoik Stream leanto (if you're able to do a 16 mile day and the Park Authority will give you the thumbs up.

Allow 45 minutes drive from Millinocket.

There are other great mountains in the park that are far less popular, so it you can't pull off a 2 day trip around Katahdin there are options. The Namakanta unit of Maine Bureau of Public Lands has a nice overnight loop that gives the flavor of the 100 mile wilderness without the time commitment. See:
http://outdoors.mainetoday.com/hiking/070513hiking.html
and
http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/doc/parks/find_one_name.pl?park_id=60

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