Mt Katahdin via Knife Edge Virtual Hike Trail Guide
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- Mt Katahdin is Maine's highest peak at 5,269ft. I decided to re-tackle this peak via the Knife Edge trail which is one of the most exposed hikes in all of New England. This is a fun class 2 scramble with a section of class 3 hiking. With beautiful weather, I decided to add on Hamlin Peak as well for 11 miles of hiking with about 4,600ft of elevation gain.
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Gear Used For This Hike:
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What a perfect day to be on Katahdin! I grew up in Millinocket & climbed the mountain many times. Rain or shine, Converse sneakers, tight jeans, times sure have changed.
I hiked Katahdin years ago. It was late in the year and the weather was nothing like your day. We hiked the Saddle Trail. My hiking companion was a slow hiker because he was enjoying every step of the way, by the time we got to Chimney Pond the ranger gave us the choice of Saddle Trail or turn around. I really enjoyed the hike.
My wife and I hiked that route 20+ years ago. There were a few sections that I crawled on. My wife just walked it like a boss. Nice video. I was not aware of need for reservation. Good to know for upcoming AT thru hike.
Wow, I had no idea that there was terrain like this in Maine! Really cool stuff, and an amazing video, as always!
Very remote and underrated area - glad you enjoyed it!
this moutain is so much fun to climb lol i’ve done it three times its amazing
I’m actually doing this hike tomorrow morning
New Hampshire and upstate New York, too! (at least Mt Mansfield in Vermont, as well)
Climbed Katahdin in my college days, back in fall of '79. Awesome day as a recall. Roaring Brook, to Chimney Pond via Chimney Pond Trail, up Dudley, across Knife Edge and down Cathedral, which was brutal. Knife Edge was an experience, as when we started, there was cloud cover right up to the edge on the left side, with a clear view straight down to Chimney Pond on the right. Halfway across, the clouds disappeared leaving clear shots on both sides of us. It was a bit unnerving for the first few minutes after the clouds cleared out (I remember feeling off balance without the giant "pillow" of clouds to my left), but after 100' or so, settled in for the rest of K.E. Thanks for taking us along on the hike.
You hit the weather jackpot on this one. Nice views into the outback of Maine. That's some old granite right there.
I used to do that loop except the other way. Enjoyed the video.
a real eye opener! had never been on katahdin, always mystified by it after being on the AT in Tennessee often and seeing the sign. thank you looking forward to more videos
That's pretty damn scary. I wanna give it a go!
Great video. I'm hiking up Katahdin this coming August. Love all your videos. I saw one a while back where you were questioning whether or not to keep making videos. Don't stop! If you find your way to see my videos, you'll discover that nobody watches them. I don't do it for strangers. I do it for my kids, and grandkids. Once I'm gone this will be one way they'll be able to visit me long after I'm gone. Your videos are priceless for me to watch. Imagine how priceless they'll be to your kids, or the kids you'll one day have.
Awesome video man this hike is definitely on my bucket list
What a beautiful place.
100% - Northern Maine doesn't get nearly enough attention.
Appreciate the video! Looking to get out there in a month and this was really helpful for my preparations.
Glad it was helpful 👊🏽
Hiked this with my family a few weeks ago. Some people in our party weren’t quite prepared for how strenuous it was. Ended up being an 18 hr hike. hiked a few hours in the dark and rain and arrived back at 1:30am. Great video capturing the beauty of this place!
Woof, sounds like a long day. Glad you all made it up and back safely!
You are supposed to set a turn around time to make sure you're back before dark...
@@OperationCyanide We summitted early afternoon - The issue was the pace of the descent so your suggestion would not apply in this situation.
Hey, quick thanks for posting these. I no longer can hike up to tops of big mountains, too many health problems now, but I really appreciate seeing these from you. I never hiked Katahdin and that will be a regret for sure.
Just did this exact route yesterday. Your footage was excellent and
the angles made it look scarier than it actually was. Thanks for the video.
Did this a few days ago with all the leaves changing color. Lots of clouds, but still open visibility most of the time. Made for a really epic experience!
Excellent video. I learned something about the mountain AND how to make a similar video.
Didnt know New England had this kind of weather , you hit it perfectly. I always found drizzle ,rain wind and lots of mosquitos.
Hiking Mt Washington in July. Looking forward to Katahdin summer of 2023
I'm doing katadin next week did Washington last yr
Beautiful trail and area there. I, like some others in the comments have mentioned, had no idea there were areas in Maine that looked like this. Now, I want to go there and see and experience it for myself. Which means, your video is a smashing success, at least with me. Thanks for taking us along man.
Great video! I'm doing Kahtahdin this weekend, this video is getting me even more excited. I kept thinking about how much distance you covered just going back to pick up your camera!
Great camera work
Amazing. Reminds me of Evans Sawtooth or Torreys Kelso Ridge. I'll be doing AT 2022 SOBO and decided last night to do Knife Edge up, Hunt Trail down. Thanks for the permit information, did not know about that recent change.
Excellent video!! I found it very Informative! Thank you
Wow it's crazy that mountains like katahdin are on the east coast. You only ever think of tree covered mountains. I've got to get up to Maine sometime
This is probably the exception to the rule in Maine but lots of rocky tops in NH and some in VT as well.
@@TheVirtualsherpa acadia is all rocky tops
@@TheVirtualsherpa If you ever get back to Baxter, do the Travelers Loop out of South Branch Campground at the North entrance. I've done all the Katahdin trails, and the Travelers is every bit as good.
I’ll remember that trip and climb, with you forever Lisa.
Appreciate all of the detailed information! Thanks for taking the time to provide it!
A buddy and myself did this exact hike with the stop at the pond too last sept. Glad you hit Hamlin, great summit without all the people. Thanks so much. You easily have the most under appreciated hiking channels on UA-cam but I’m sure your time is coming👍🏻
Thanks very much - I really appreciate that. Yeah, Hamlin was a great audible and really liked the unique views of Katahdin from over there.
Awesome video guide to Katahdin.
Thank you for the views
I hiked the knife edge trail several times and only once was I very much afraid. About a third of the way across heading towards Pamola a storm came up and pea sized hail rained down on us the rest of the way across. It let up as we climbed out of the chimney and we were like wow we survived that! We started down Dudley trail and one of our group decided to climb the prominent pointed rock just down from the summit. When he got to the top the air actually started to sizzle and we yelled at him to get down. Very shortly afterwards the rock was struck by lightning with most of us within about 50 feet. It immediately started to hail again and the descent to Chimney Pond was treacherous. While recovering at our lean to the ranger came over and asked for volunteers to help him get an injured hiker down from the knife edge. So back we go up Cathedral. Fortunately the injured man’s party had managed to get him about a quarter of the way down and we stretchered him the rest of the way. I’ve never been so exhausted as after doing that.
Woof - sounds like quite the day, glad everyone made it out okay.
Although when Dave and I hiked Mt. Kathdian it started sleeting it wasn't nearly as difficult of a hike and climb as was Long's Peak in Colorado.
Thanks so much for doing this video. We have it on the calendar to do 9/13. I have a question. At the 7:30 timeframe you mentioned a go around trail but at the 7:55 mark, there doesn’t seem to be one in frame. Does the go around trail limit the exposure or does it just eliminate the scramble for that section? I’m a little concerned about that section. Looks insane on the camera.
I really enjoy all your videos. Thanks for sharing. Juneau rocks too.
I just did this a few weeks ago. Kicked my butt, especially going down to chimney pond, but I took a different route down from the saddle. I also had a very windy day, which added to the adventure. Loved the video. Subscribed!
Awesome, glad you enjoyed the video! The descent really took a lot out of me too to be honest. I felt like almost harder than the ascent in some ways.
@@TheVirtualsherpa oh no doubt. The descent for me was 10x worse.
So beautifull!!!
This video was super helpful. Trying to hike this in a couple months. If I've already done the 48 would you say I'm good to go?
As long as you are okay with a little exposure and some class 3 scrambling, you should have no problem. I am not familiar with ALL 48 but assuming you've checked off some T25, I don't think you will have an issue.
if you ever find yourself in maine again, i would check out the trail in lubec at quoddy head. pretty easy going but SO beautiful. i took the coastal trail first and stayed on the forest trail on the way back.
We usually are out in Maine every summer - really appreciate the recommendation.
Hello, thank you for the great video. I want to ask if the reservation is still required for people from other states? We are planning to visit this trail in the end of June from New York.
Check out the full guide, the latest information is all listed in there. From my understanding, yes.
Ah, another perfect lunch time video 👍🏼
Hahah - love it. Wonder what the rest of the team thinks of you watching this grizzly ass dude hiking on your lunches 😂
Great video, I’m surprised it doesn’t have more views.
That was intense
Great video!!
Awesome video. Great job with the guide. You had perfect weather! What do you use to check mountain weather/forecasts? I wasn't nearly as lucky when I attempted Katahdin...
Typically use weather.gov and mountain forecast. They use different models so good to compare
I want to do Mt. Katahdin but as a mom, beginner and a clutz I'm leery. Thanks for this video it's nice to see how beautiful the area is
I am new hiker who wants to hike Katadhin. I just hiked Mt Tripyramids. Is the levelC /class C on Katahdin more challenging than The Tri? I found North Slide very challenging mostly because there was no break. Once I got to the top I was slow but good for the rest of it.
I would say this class 3 is more challenging than the tri north slide. The exposure (drop off) is quite high in sections of this and mileage wise this is a longer hike as well.
Well done
I'LL PASS THANK YOU!!!
Fun fact: Helon Taylor is actually pronounced "HEE-lon Taylor". He was the first Park Supervisor of Baxter State Park.
The more you know 🌈 Thanks!
Thanks for linking the womens versions of your gear! small effort for a big difference :)
Awesome guided tour of Katahdin! Subscribed
Nice shirt bro, wearing the same one right now lol
Target for the win. Wife gave this to me like 5 years ago and still rock it on the reg
What are some good drone summits that you can hike in New England ?
Check out this video - talks about flying drones and applies for New England. ua-cam.com/video/ek0lZkWiAMw/v-deo.html
How do you work out the parking if you start from Baxter and do knifes edge down the other side. DO they have shuttles to get back to original parking lot, or is it a loop? I am doing this in April. Great video thanks
Nope - would be self shuttle or stash a bike or something to get back to the other side. It’s best to just start and finish from the same TH.
Bring an older friend that doesn't mind bumming at base camp reading books all day. Pay them in beer to shuttle you to your start point early in the morning, then meet again at camp after the hike.
@@mehhhhhhh4190 👊😆 yep that would be me but no need to pay me in beer LOL
When you leave the parking after 6-7 pm , cars are becoming fewer?
Yeah I would imagine after 3/4pm the lot empties out quite a bit.
It's fairly steady actually from like 3-7 pm. people coming off the mountain and heading out of the park, but not congested by any means.
It's scary - if you fall off the slope, "you won't collect your bones"!
This is exactly what it’s like.
I hiked this when I was 10- never gone since lmfaooooo
Do you need hiking experience to hike this?
17:11 a moderate hike?
Is it that the scheduling needs to be within two weeks before or before two weeks?
Check out my website link (in vid description) with more info about this hike.
The summit looks scary. Couldn't one wrong move result in a serious fall?
Summit not so much - the knife edge - sure def injury potential if you fall.
@@TheVirtualsherpa I thought the knife edge was at or close to the summit. It looks like you're hiking a tight rope. I prefer skiing, but which is harder to hike? Katahdin or Mount Washington?
Depends on which route up Washington. K can be more technical but in general I think Washington is harder.
Man I must have died from a fall in my past life cause I was shitting bricks with the drop offs.
Did you camp at roaring brook or did you just get a parking reservation?
Just parking - drove up that morning and dispersed camped outside of Baxter that night.
I did katahdin 2 days before this was posted! I do it every year with my friends and family
I’m going back again in a few days
Can you bypass the section of Knife Edge @ 8:10 ?
You don’t have to stay directly to the ridge but there isn’t a bypass trail.
This video reminds me of summiting mount Columbia in Colorado
That a Findlay hat?!
Outer Range 👍🏽
Please use bug spray. The flies are serious up here.
I’m here from Trouble
I always think it's funny how you had to set the camera down, climb up a bunch of the mountain, and then climb back down to stop recording and take your camera back up again.
Only way to add perspective on a hike when you are by yourself - def not always fun but usually turns out cool
No they have a 4 month rolling calendar for Maine resident reservation system ,,no walking sticks ,big mistake,
Helen Taylor not Helen Keller
Knifes edge runs from Pamola peak to the summit ,the part u pointed out was NOT a the knifes EDGE ,that was the Helen trail ,two different trails ,u could use the Dudley trail to chimney pond if u have to ,
The Cathedral Trail is the hardest most vertical trail it strait up from chimney pond camp sit ,knifes edge runs horizontal ,where's the Cathedral vertical, 80% of all accidents are on the descent ,that's where the poles come in ,
6 summits an have climbed quite a few trails there all awesome
Beautiful day u had awesome,great day yo top out 👍👍👍👍
“I don’t like the crowds on top of peak” ... dude, I can kind of get where you’re coming from but these people are just as excited as you to make the top. Be a good guy and share in the excitement.
Everyone is different. He said it wasn't his thing, for him he likes to enjoy the views in peace. I am the same. Why force someone
@@Mthrntr I didn't FORCE ... I was just SHARING
@@Mthrntr Most of us who hike and climb mountains would love to have the trail and summit to ourselves. Guaranteed other people he encountered felt the same way he did.
But your choice is to be gracious or to grouse.
I’m with you, to a point, as I’m remembering a hike in New York where some girl on top, part of a group, was blasting salsa music on her phone.
I shot her a few dirty looks, and her boyfriend eventually told her to kill the music.
It’s pronounced Hee Lon Taylor. I don’t know why. But yeah.
Helon Taylor was the first Park Supervisor of Baxter State Park.
It is not the end, it is the northern terminus of the AT.
butter knife edge 🙃
Great video. BUT I think it is a bit irresponsible for you to say that this is a hike for "all levels." This is definitely a bit more than a moderate hike so could be horribly miserable to even dangerous for someone not in the right shape for it.
Hey Vikki - I hear you but also passed children on this hike so I think the difficulty is relative. I feel the video sort of speaks for itself in terms of what to expect and I do have the hike ranked as moderate with class 3 hiking in the full guide: www.thevirtualsherpa.com/mt-katahdin-via-knife-edge-hike-trail-guide/
@@TheVirtualsherpa Exactly. I've been to the top twice, and another route planned next month. I have always seen 8-10 year olds sprinting by on all the trails.
Irresponsible??
No way
If this very old 20ish year old man can do it, so can my aunt's older brothers mom's cousins, younger nephew's wife.
Atleast pronounce Appalachian correctly brother 😂
Welcome to the channel and welcome to me butchering every word in the English, Native American, Spanish, Italian etc. language.
You did all you could to minimize this hike. Stay Home.