Starting SOBO: How to Get to Mount Katahdin

You are prepped, packed, and ready to start your southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. You have researched every ounce and calorie, and you know that for the next five months you are going to be following the white blazes from the top of Katahdin all the way to the summit of Springer. No problem! Right? Wait….but how do you actually get to Katahdin? Where exactly is that first white blaze?

The Basics:

Mount Katahdin (pronounced “kə-TAH-dən”) was named by the Penobscot Indians and quite literally means the “Greatest Mountain.” The northernmost 15 miles of the Appalachian Trail are located in Baxter State Park (BSP) in northern Maine. Southbound thru-hikers begin their journey at the summit of Katahdin’s Baxter Peak, which stands at 5,268 feet and is considered to be a strenuous hike of 8-12 hours with an elevation gain of 4,000 feet.

Maine

Map via http://www.visitmaine.net/page/122/maine-map

Getting there

BSP opens for camping on May 15th. However, the Hunt Trail (aka the AT) has a variable opening date due to trail conditions, and is typically not open to hiking until early to mid June. In 2017, the trails to Baxter Peak opened for the season on May 27th.

Nearest airport

Bangor, which is about an hour and a half (90 miles) away. This airport has many major car rental agencies as well as a bus station. You can also fly into Boston’s Logan airport and take the Concord Trailways bus line to Bangor airport.

Nearest bus station

Medway, which is about 20 minutes (11 miles) from Millinocket. Cyr Bus Lines run services once daily both ways between the Medway Irving Big Stop store and the Bangor airport.

If you are not flying into Bangor but want to take the bus to Medway, Concord Trailways runs transportation to Bangor from several cities around the northeast.

There is no public transportation to or from Baxter State Park.

Nearest Town

Millinocket. The town is about half an hour (17 miles) from Baxter State Park.

Below is a list of local accommodations in Millinocket, as listed in AWOL’s AT Guide:

The Appalachian Trail Lodge

Katahdin Cabins

Parks Edge Inn

Pamola Motor Lodge

Baxter Park Inn

Ice Fish Inn

Hotel Terrace

Katahdin Inn

Wilderness Edge Campground

I cannot recommend the Appalachian Trail Lodge highly enough. I wouldn’t have wanted to start our thru-hike anywhere else. The AT Lodge is the northernmost hiker service hostel, and staying here will help to ease your nerves and answer any questions you may have before you start your journey.

They even offer a SOBO Special which includes a shuttle from Medway, a room at the hostel, breakfast, and a shuttle to Baxter.

Shuttle Services:

The AT Lodge: (207) 723-4321

Maine Quest Adventures: (207) 447-5011

Bull Moose Taxi: (207) 447-8079

Driving Details

The facilities in Baxter State Park are rustic and the roads are unpaved. Be aware that if you are driving through the park you will be moving at a slow pace (max 20mph). Take into consideration the type of vehicle that you are driving into the park and check your gas tank before you leave Millinocket, as there is no gas station between the town and BSP.

There is a fee of $14 per non-resident car to enter the park. Entrance is tightly controlled and only a certain amount of people are allowed into the park each day, so if you are driving, it’s best to arrive as early as possible after the gate opens at 6am.

You can make a parking reservation if you are day hiking to ensure your spot, but it’s not a requirement (reservations are available for the Roaring Brook, Abol, or Katahdin Stream lots only). Starting on April 1st, Maine residents can reserve a parking spot for any day of the summer. All non-Maine residents can start reserving a parking spot two weeks prior to the reservation date. Anyone and everyone can reserve a parking spot up until 3pm the day before. Reservations are $5 and are only held until 7am. Print out a hard copy of your parking reservation to bring with you, as they did not accept mobile reservations as of 2016.

You cannot drive out of the park in the dark, and vehicular access is typically prohibited by November 1st.

Driving directions to Roaring Springs Campground from Millinocket can be found here, alternative routes listed below.


Starting Locations

The first white blaze of the Appalachian Trail is located on the summit of Baxter Peak, which is the highest point in Maine. You are going to want to get an early start regardless of where you begin your hike; Mount Katahdin is no easy feat and you will want to have ample time so you’re not rushing or heading down in the dark.

**Before you start, you must secure an AT Hiker Permit at either Katahdin Stream Campground in Baxter Park or at the Park Headquarters in Millinocket. These permits are usually available starting in early June when the Hunt Trail opens to hiking and must be secured in person . You will be required to provide your real name, your trail name, and an emergency contact phone number. While there is no fee, they are limited in number (a total of only 3,150 thru-hiker permits will be issued in 2017).**

BSP map

Map via http://4000footers.com/katahdinbaxter.shtml

Route options

At 4.4 miles, the Abol Trail is the shortest route to  the summit of Baxter Peak. The old trail was closed due to shifting rock conditions, but a reroute was opened in July of 2016. The trailhead for this is the Abol campground parking area.

A second option to reach Baxter peak is the 5.2 mile Hunt Trail, which is the northernmost section of the AT. For this route you start at the Katahdin Stream Campground area and follow the white blazes up the Hunt Trail to the summit of Baxter Peak, turn around, and retrace your steps back down. The majority of this trail is well above treeline, so make sure that you have plenty of sunscreen and water with you, regardless of the temperature. Hikers are welcome to leave their packs at Katahdin Stream Campground and loaner daypacks are available at the ranger’s station for no extra charge.

A third, and totally epic, option is to start your thru-hike at the Roaring Brook Campground parking area  (directions in link) and take the Helon Taylor Trail to the summit of Pamola Peak. From there, you will get your first glimpse of Baxter Peak before traversing over the Knife Edge. This trail is very difficult and can be dangerous, so be aware of the constantly changing weather conditions and your surroundings.

The only trail that is currently closed for the 2017 season is the Dudley Trail.

Waterboy descending the Hunt Trail

If you have family/friends meeting you at BSP after you summit Katahdin, the hike to Katahdin Stream Falls (Mile 3.9) is a nice walk in from the Katahdin Stream parking area and a gorgeous spot for them to meet up with you (without them having to make the trek up to Baxter Peak). Keep in mind that if you are staying in Millinocket for the night after you summit Katahdin, your ride back into BSP will need to pay the $14 vehicle fee again the second day- even if they are only dropping you off.


Camping in Baxter State Park

Many hikers will reserve a campsite at either Katahdin Stream or Abol campground. You cannot camp inside Baxter State Park without a reservation, and reservations can start being made four months in advance. Maine residents get preference, and the park is typically filled to capacity during the summer. The Birches campsite (Mile 5.2) is not open to southbounders or southbound flip-floppers and camping is prohibited above treeline. There is no authorized overnight camping within BSP after October 15th.

Map of Baxter State Park

Map via https://baxterstatepark.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/trl_kat_28Mar17.pdf

A popular option after summiting Katahdin on Day 1 is to head back into Millinocket for the night, and then start Day 2 of your journey at the Katahdin Stream Campground parking area (Mile 5.2) the next morning…after filling up on coffee and squash donuts at the AT Cafe, of course.

Not allowed in Baxter State Park:

Pets, firewood, drones, parties larger than 12.

Leave your hiker pups at home, or call Connie McManus, at 207-723-6795 or 207-731-3111, who provides kennel service with pickup/dropoff at Abol Bridge.

 

 *Note that Abol Campground in BSP, Abol Pines at Abol Bridge, and Abol Bridge Campground are three different entities.

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Comments 9

  • Harvey Dennenberg a.k.a. GrandPa Walking : Jun 30th

    Another way to hike Katahdin to Baxter Peak is to hike from Roaring Brook Campground to Chimney Pond and spend the night either in the Bunk House or in a Lean-to!
    On day 2 take the Saddle Trail up to the Baxter Cutoff Trail to Baxter Peak. Then take the AT or Hunt Trail down to Katahdin Stream Campground and spend the night. On day 3 start hiking south 10 miles to Abol Bridge.
    There are a number of roads that access the 100 Mile Wilderness from Abol Bridge SoBo if you want carry less supplies as you head south. JoMary Rd and Katahdin Iron Works Rd could be use to pick up a supply drop. AT Lodge in Millinocket can do this but its costly.

    GrandPa Walking AT Senior Section Hiker

    Reply
    • Dave : Oct 27th

      I like this idea. Once on the trail, you keep going. Really don’t want to go back to town.

      Reply
  • Michael Beierle : Jul 16th

    I have been reading about SOBO hiking and I plan to thru hike SOBO next summer, but I don’t understand why you go up the mountain and back down again the same way. Is there not an option of just going from the summit on south to continue the trail? I don’t understand the looping back down…I’ve obviously never been there lol. I LOVE your articles btw

    Reply
    • Emily : Jul 17th

      Hi Michael! There are a few different ways to hike up to the summit of Baxter Peak, which is where the AT starts. One of those ways is up the Hunt Trail – aka the AT. This is the loop trail that you are thinking of, as you would hike up the Hunt Trail from KSC to Baxter, and then back down after reaching the summit so you can continue along the AT. Check out the “Route Options” section up above for the other common options that wouldn’t make your climb a loop trail 🙂

      Reply
  • Mike S : Nov 25th

    This was the only topic in my research that I could not see an easy answer. Thanks for the gouge.

    Reply
  • Mitch : Oct 20th

    I too am a little confused on why one hikes up Mount Katahdin only to come back the same route you went up. Is it because the top of Mount Katahdin is considered the start of the trek for sobo hikers. It then sounds like the AT Trail is picked up at the base of the mountain to truly start the sobo journey. Is this correct?

    Reply
    • Caroline : Jun 28th

      did you ever get an answer to this? I’m wondering the same thing.

      Reply
    • Beck : Feb 2nd

      There are a few ways to get to the northern terminus, aka Baxter Peak- which is where the trail starts or ends. NOBOs have the same issue starting in GA. The southern terminus is on top of Springer Mountain, and the only way you get to it is to hike. You can go 8.8 miles on the blue blaze Approach Trail, or hike 1 mile on the AT south from a forest service road to the top to officially start.

      The author provided several ways to access the northern terminus. You certainly don’t have to retrace your steps by hiking the Hunt Trail north, then south. That may be the easiest logistical option given how restrictive BSP is, and/or what the terrain or route is like on the feeder blue blaze trails. Explore your options and logistics and determine what is right for you.

      Reply
      • MP : Mar 2nd

        I am considering hiring a helicopter pilot and having him drop me off at the summit so I can just hike straight south.

        Reply

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