4 Tips for Hiking Mt. Katahdin

Make sure you are prepared to summit Maine's tallest mountain! Below are four thing to note before you start planning your trip.

After 3 years of living in Maine, J and I finally took on the tallest mountain in Maine in fall of 2022 - Mt. Katahdin. As the final stop (or first, depending on which direction you're heading!) on the Appalachian Trail, summitting Baxter Peak is considered a sort of "right of passage" in Maine. If you want to call yourself an avid hiker in this state you need to conquer the mountain at least once.

Tackling Katahdin is no easy feat. Reaching almost a mile high, nearly every trail to the summit is rated "very strenuous". But with the right considerations and preparation, the hike is an incredibly rewarding adventure and a bucket list item for sure!

Read through the below tips if you're considering taking on Mt. Katahdin soon!

#1 Know What You're Getting Into.

So you're thinking of hiking Mt. Katahdin? Awesome! Let's start with the basics: nearly every trail to the summit of Mt. Katahdin is rated "very strenuous". Saddle Trail is the only path up that is instead rated "strenuous", so you know, the easy one (lol).

Not only are the trails themselves steep, but depending on the time of year it is not uncommon to encounter snow & ice along with the vertical boulders and potentially loose rock, Come prepared, bring layers, and don't forget gloves!

See that sharp looking ridge in the distance? That's Knife's Edge, one of the most famous, and dangerous, trails on Katahdin. Take a good look - if that doesn't seem like your cup of tea, opt for a different trail!

Find Baxter State Park's trail map with more detailed information here.

#2 Plan Far Ahead for Campsite Reservations

Katahdin is not a mountain you can just "show up and climb".

First of all, Baxter State Park itself is quite a ways north in Maine; about a 3.5hr drive from Portland. Since summiting the peak is an all-day affair (allow for 8-12 hours, depending on your route and abilities), many people plan to camp one or both nights on either side of their hike.

Baxter State Park offers Four Month Rolling Reservations for most campsites. And let me tell you, these fill up FAST. If you want a chance at a specific date or season, make sure you're staying on top of when reservations for that time open up.

You can find a handy chart with a rolling dates table here.

#3 Arrive to Baxter State Park Early

If you're camping the night before your hike, make sure you're planning to arrive with plenty of time to set up your camp for the night before it gets dark. Why you ask?

1. It's really not fun to set up camp in the dark

2. Although most sites have access to outhouses, they do not have light. You'll want to make sure you can navigate to & within them before the darkness makes it WAY more difficult.

3. You may need to scrounge for firewood. Baxter has a strict no-outside-wood policy, and although they do sell firewood on site, there is no guarantee of availability.

4. Once through the entrance of Baxter State Park, the campsites are 20-30 minutes further into the park. Stay cognizant of your GPS arrival time and the time the sun sets.

5. It's really, REALLY not fun to set up camp in the dark.

If you're staying outside of the park or planning to muscle it out the door in the wee hours of the morning (bless you), you'll still want to get an early start. As mentioned, the average time it takes to hike Mt. Katahdin is 8-12 hours. That does not leave you much wiggle room for daylight, especially at some times of the year.

#4 Listen to Your Rangers

The rangers of Baxter State Park are super knowledgeable, fantastic resources, and know the mountain up and down. LISTEN TO THEM.

You'll encounter rangers at the entrance to the park, at the individual campgrounds, and at certain huts up the mountain (like Chimney Pond). Most will check in with you and ask what your plan is for your day.

On our way up Saddle, we had grand aspirations of making a loop: ascending via Cathedral Trail and descending via Saddle. One quick chat with the ranger at Chimney Pond changed our minds. He let us know the conditions of Cathedral Trail that day (not good) and advised that without spikes or serious gloves, it could be a dangerous decision to continue on that route.

These rangers take their job seriously, and you should too! Be sure to ask them any questions you may have as well, Their priority is the safety and enjoyment of Mt. Katahdin for years to come.

Ready to start your adventure? Check out my list of 6 Things to Bring on your Katahdin Day Hike!