A little trip kinda side-tracked me from getting these pics posted sooner. How's that expression go, "Go big or go home"? Well, as if Katahdin wasn't already epic enough, I drove out Friday and did a sunrise hike to the biggest, windiest and deadliest peak around: Mt. Washington!
As much fun as that was, there is no question that Katahdin rates as my best hike of them all. Man, I can't wait to do this again! Hiking into Chimney Pond was a fairly simple 3.3 mile walk in with some very cool spur trails to incredible viewing spots of the surrounding mountains. The real treat is arriving at Chimney Pond and walking out past the ranger's station to the massive sight of Katahdin looming some 2400' overhead! It's just awesome! Checking on the latest forecast info with the ranger, there was a chance of storms possibly developing in the early afternoon and a cautionary word to consider descending down the Saddle trail if anything started to roll in from the west after I reached summit. Fortunately, nothing serious ever developed.
Very eager to get going, I left Chimney Pond and started on the Cathedral trail. No amount of pictures will do this "trail" justice! It is a straight up, 1.2 mile boulder climb gaining 2150' of elevation gain with enough exposure to make Knife Edge seem like a walk in the park! No joke, this was THE most intimidating ascent I have ever made and they even advise people to never descend this trail. Four and five points of contact were necessary nearly all of the way up. I've never been so thrilled and terrified in my whole life! Quads burning, I finally made it to the top and from there it was a short and sweet .2 mile walk to the summit. The folks already up there could probably see my smile the whole way.
The summit offers some of the best views you'll ever see. It's jaw-dropping up there. I lingered around for an hour, took pics and even met a young couple that had just completed the Appalachian Trail. Just amazing. Gassed up and ready to go, next it was time to finally cross over the infamous Knife Edge. I have video taken about mid-way, but not sure if I can figure out how to post it here? No way, no how I'd ever want to be up there on a windy, wet or stormy day! The drop-off on either side is well over 2000' and there really is a section that is only 3' wide that you need to cross over! I took my time, picked my way across and just enjoyed the hell out of that whole experience. Just awesome, awesome, awesome!
This hike and my entire stay in Maine (thanks again Bionic for all the info!) was incredible. I'll be back for sure, but not soon enough.
