| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Katahdin (Baxter Peak), White Cap Mountain, Nesuntabunt Mountain, Rainbow Ledges, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, Gulf Hagas Rim Trail, Gulf Hagas Cut-off |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, July 28, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at lot .4 miles east of the AT crossing of Katahdin Iron Works Rd. AT Guide had GPS of lot. Ample parking. We had to pay the toll keeper on the KIW Rd $12 use fees for each of us. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
West Branch of Pleasant River was only river in 100 Mile Wilderness that we got our feet wet. Relatively easy wade with max depth <18 inches. East Branch and both crossings of Nesowadnehunk Stream were rock hops. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Normal New England rocks and roots. Overall, very good shape. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Reasonable. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
We lost a pole over a cliff at Gulf Hagas. |
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 | Comments: |
7 day, 92 mile hike covering the northernmost 84 miles of the AT with an ill-advised Gulf Hagas detour. The beauty and variety was more than I expected. What a great trip. The trails were standard Maine/NH trails: plenty of roots and rocks. Nothing more or less. On the whole, very well maintained trails.
Day 1) 11 miles. Parked at lot .4 miles east of the AT crossing of Katahdin Iron Works Rd. Ample parking and a privy I didn't notice till after doing my business in the woods. Took short cut trail which was much shorter than .4 miles to AT. Water was very low at W Branch of Pleasant River. Ford was less than 18 inches deep and not a challenge. This was the last time we needed to get our feet wet for all of the fords through to Katahdin. We took the Gulf Hagas/Rim Trail for ~2 miles with many side trips to view various falls. Nice, but definitely not worth it. And my buddy Big Bob lost a pole over one of the cliffs. Returned via the Gulf Hagas Cutoff Trail. Reloaded water and had dinner at Tappan camp site but stealth camped at our least favorite place when we ran out of gas between West Peak and Hay Mountain.
2) 15 miles. Great view from White Cap. Slung our hammocks near Cooper Falls Lean-to. Beautiful. Washed the sweat off in the stream. Had my first encounter ever with the dreaded chafe. I walked the middle 5 days in only boxer shorts. Acquired Gold Bond Friction Defense on my return.
3) 16 miles. Nahmakanda Stream campsite. Beautiful stream.
4) 10 miles. Food drop at road south of Nahmakanta lake courtesy of Lakeshore House. They said the road was a bit washed out. The more common Jo Mary Rd food drop would probably be better. Sat out rain storm at Wadleigh Stream Lean-to. Bit of work but great view from Nesuntabunt Mountain. Our first Katahdin view. Camped at Crescent Pond near where ledge enters pond. Nice swim.
5) 16 miles. Loved the trail along Rainbow Stream. Long series of cascades Great view from Rainbow Ledges. Hurd Brook Lean-to.
6) 13 miles. The area around Abol Bridge was a desolate, dry wasteland with the exception of the mighty Penobscot flowing through. We used the satellite phone ($1/minute) at the store there to get a reservation at the AT Lodge in Millinocket. Ice cream and cold drinks were great. There is a restaurant that serves lunch and dinner starting at 11AM that we were too early for. The trail to Katahdin Stream had some nice spots. The Little and Big Niagara Falls were nice. We instantly got a ride hitching from the Katahdin Stream Campground to Millinocket and an excellent dinner.
7) 10 miles. Took AT Lodge 6:30AM shuttle to Katahdin Stream Campground. Hunt trail had a couple of steep sections requiring both hands. Spectacular, varied views from the top. My new favorite New England mountain. Took a Lakeshore House shuttle back to KIW Rd. |
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 | Name: |
Chris Woop Paul |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-07-31 |
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 | Link: |
 https://plus.google.com/114118588797919573195/posts/QpAnHCgugYH |
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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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