Appalachian Trail (Pleasant Pond Shelter to Mt. Katahdin)

The Appalachian Trail in Maine is generally considered the most difficult of all the fourteen states that the A.T. traverses. The Maine portion covers about 282 miles and offers hikers rugged terrain, stunning wilderness, and remote beauty. In some sections, don’t expect to hike more than a mile an hour and get used to steep ascents and descents. Slippery and sometimes hazardous weather can occur at any time, and the terrain is often remote to say the least.  The hiking season in Maine is typically from late May to early October. Snow can linger on higher peaks into June, and weather can change rapidly.  The hike from the Kennebec River to Mount Katahdin is the final stretch of trail for northbound thru-hikers (and the first section for southbound hikers.) It is largely composed of the 100 mile wilderness, an area of remote forest that is intersected only by the occasional logging road.

There are no services in the 100 mile wilderness, but there is plenty of wildlife, especially moose. The numerous lakes have a number of great campsites and all are fairly close to the Trail. The Appalachian Trail Conference suggests you allow ten days to hike through the wilderness, although it is a bit easier than the southwestern section of trail in Maine.  Abol Bridge is at the northern end of the wilderness and it is a welcome sight after ten days on the trail. There is a small store located here with snack foods and basic supplies and the views of Katahdin are excellent from this location.  The last fifteen miles of the Appalachian Trail take you into Baxter State Park and up to the summit of Mount Katahdin at 5,267 feet. It’s 4000+ feet to the top of the mountain from the base at Katahdin Stream Campground, but the 5.2 mile climb is one of the most exciting for the northbound thru-hiker since it’s the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.