Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park
Katahdin is the Penobscot Indian term for “greatest mountain,” and they got it right —the breathtaking Mount Katahdin is the highest peak in all of Maine, and serves as a memorable start or conclusion to hikers of the Appalachian Trail.
The Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin
Photo by Douglas Perkins
Located in Baxter State Park near the town of Millinocket, the mountain is surrounded by a series of deep valleys that were carved by glaciers more than 12,000 years ago. The effect of the deep valleys in contrast to the looming mountain is striking, and the sight of the mountain has elicited awe and wonder from the millions of visitors who’ve come to explore its granite peaks.
Henry David Thoreau, a writer and philosopher from the 19th century and the author of the classic book Walden, was astounded by the act of climbing the face of Katahdin, calling it “Earth of which we have heard, made out of Chaos and Old Night… It was Matter, vast, terrific,–not his Mother Earth that we have heard of, nor for him to tread on, or be buried in,-no, it were being too familiar even to let his bones lie there–the home this [sic] of Necessity and Fate.”
In Thoreau’s time, climbing the face of Katahdin was a plunge into the unknown wilderness. Today, however, Katahdin is clearly marked with a series of trails for all visitors to follow, making it easy for even the novice mountain-climber to forge his own path. The most challenging hike, which goes between Pamola Peak and Baxter Peak, is the Knife Edge. A steep, rugged trail with long drops on either side, this trail is not recommended for beginners; rangers also advise avoiding the trail in bad weather. If the Knife Edge seems a little beyond your depth, there are many other trails with a more gentle slope that still provide the same breathtaking views of the Maine woods. Altogether, more than 200 miles of trails stretch across the 204,733 acres of Baxter State Park’s wilderness.
Mount Katahdin is also a superb destination for rock climbers; several climbing routes originate at the park’s Chimney Pond. Among them, you’ll find 400-foot cliffs known as the Diamonds; a long route known as the Armadillo; and the Flatiron, an intense climb that concludes at the peak of Knife Edge.
Though Mount Katahdin is breathtaking, there’s more to Baxter State Park than the mountains. When you visit, you can also swim, fish, canoe, or kayak in Penobscot River; rental equipment is available if you haven’t brought your own. In winter, the park’s miles of trails are perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling.
Baxter State Park also offers a number of campsites, if you’ve got a few days to explore these amazing mountains and the wilderness surrounding them. Kidney Pond Campground has 12 cabins equipped with beds, a stove, and a bathroom; there are several other cabins and bunkhouses located at other campsites throughout the park. The park also has many tent sites, where you’re free to bring your own tent and equipment for a night in the beautiful Maine woods. If you’re planning to camp out, though, you’d better plan in advance — these campsites must be reserved months in advance of your trip. This page will provide the information you need to make a campsite booking:
www.baxterstateparkauthority.com
If you’d like to find out even more about Mount Katahdin and the beautiful Baxter State Park, visit the park’s website:
www.baxterstateparkauthority.com
Written by Kathy Hawkins on July 6, 2007
Filed Under Maine, Mountains, State Parks
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