3-Day: Fall Foliage Katahdin Hike

Dates

October 4 - 6: Peak fall foliage and crisp, cool weather. This time of the year is usually quiet in the Park. The average high is in the mid 50s. The average low is in the upper 30s. Cold snaps and early snow are possible. This time of the year has approximately eleven hours of daylight.

Itinerary

Arrival Day: 10:30 a.m. meet-up in Bangor (Airport, hotel, car rental, or bus stop). If you are driving to us, you must check-in at the Outfitters at 12:00 p.m. Our trip begins at 12:00 p.m. with a mandatory meet and greet, with trip briefing. Afterward, we will get organized and settled into our rooms at the Hostel. 2:00 p.m. departure for a short wildlife & sightseeing hike. We will return to the Hostel by 6:00 p.m. for group dinner.

Katahdin Day: 5:30 a.m. departure for Roaring Brook Trailhead. We will hike 3.3 miles along the Chimney Pond Trail to the remote Chimney Pond. The estimated elevation gain is 1425 feet. This is a moderate hike with roots, rocks, and stone steps in the trail. From there, we will ascend an estimated 2353 feet over 2.2 miles to Baxter Peak, the summit of Katahdin. This section involves large boulders, steep terrain, and some climbing. We will descend the same route in reverse back to Roaring Brook. This day is a very strenuous hike and for most hikers it is the most difficult day of hiking they have ever completed. Overall, we anticipate the group to take 10-14 hours to complete this Hike. Celebratory group dinner upon return.

Alternate Day: This day will be dependent on weather conditions and group interest. Options include: a 2.6-mile round trip hike to Little & Big Niagara Falls, canoeing/kayaking on Baxter ponds with views of Katahdin, and a 1.5-mile round trip hike to Sandy Stream Pond to look for moose. We expect to spend 4-8 hours exploring and the rest of the day at the Hostel. Group dinner in the evening.

Departure Day: 9:00 a.m. departure for Bangor (Airport, hotel, car rental, or bus stop). 10:00 a.m. check out for those who drove themselves.

POOR WEATHER ALTERNATE:

This trip is three days (Arrival Day, Katahdin Day, & Alternate Day) plus Departure Day. This arrangement allows us to switch Katahdin Day based on weather conditions. The other two days will have shorter excursions. This trip has a three day commitment, to account for potential weather issues.

Trip Information

The goal of this trip is to give the best possible chance at both a Katahdin summit, while also enjoying peak fall foliage, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing.

The charming Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters in Millinocket will be our basecamp.

This is a fully guided trip. We provide an experienced registered Maine guide on this trip. The guide will lead the group and provide assistance as needed. Throughout the day, they will discuss the history of the area and intriguing topics with the group.

All dinners are provided, snacks and other meals are not.

Each participant should be prepared for fall/winter-like conditions.

Lodging

Lodging is provided through Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters.

Lodging on all three nights of the trip will be a private room in the Hostel. The kitchen, bathroom, and shower are communal.

A washer & dryer is located on-site. House-made detergent is available.

Linens, pillows, comforters, towels, shampoo, conditioner, loaner clothes, and coffee are included with your stay.

Please refer to Rooms & Rates for more details.

Pricing

Prices are in USD, also known as United States Dollars.

Included: accommodations for three nights in the hostel, route planning & daily itinerary management, trip logistics support, permits & reservations, staff & guide support, and three dinners.

Not included: accommodations outside the scheduled itinerary, personal travel to/from Bangor International Airport or our location, travel/trip insurance, meals not listed in the itinerary, snacks & personal purchases, optional gratuities for staff & guides.

Transportation provided during your itinerary is incidental to trip logistics support and is not sold as a stand-alone passenger transportation service. There are no discounts if you drive yourself to our location.

The shared accommodation rate is for couples, family members, or friends who want to share a room.

3-Day: Fall Foliage Katahdin Hike with shared accommodations: $945.00 plus $10.80 for 9% Maine lodging tax

3-Day: Fall Foliage Katahdin Hike with private accommodations: $1035.00 plus $18.90 for 9% Maine lodging tax

Booking & Cancellation Policy

The deposit is 25% of your trip cost and is required at booking. The deposit is included in the total trip price.

The remaining 75% is due 90 days prior to the start of your trip. This is to ensure you are committed to the trip.

We can accommodate up to ten participants. While we expect this trip to fill up, we require a minimum of three participants to cover the operating cost. If fewer than three participants register by the due date, those who booked will have the option to either cover the additional costs so the trip may proceed or cancel and receive a refund, minus processing fees.

Cancellation Policy:

  • Domestic (US) - Cancellation fee

  • 90+ days - Deposit may be applied toward another trip, within one year, based on availability.

  • 60-89 days - 100% of deposit

  • 30-59 days - 50% of total trip cost

  • 29 days or less - 100% of total trip cost

Please understand this trip takes time and advance notice to plan and execute. We may turn away other customers to hold your reservation. Our policy is not meant to be punitive, however, we plan far in advance to make these trips possible. By the due date, funds have already been used in preparation for your upcoming trip. For this reason, we strictly adhere to our cancellation policy. We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen circumstance that may lead to you canceling after the due date.

To qualify for refunds, you must notify us in writing via email to info@katahdinadventureco.com.

Katahdin Adventure Company reserves the right to alter or cancel trips and determine refund amounts at its sole discretion.

Disclaimer

While this is a fully guided trip, all participants must be capable of covering the distances mentioned in the itinerary. Each participant should be in reasonably good hiking shape. Each participant must provide and carry all necessary supplies and gear for their safety and enjoyment. There is a list of essential items the guide requires you to have. We will send the list and relevant information upon booking. If you lack any required items, you can rent or purchase them from our Outfitters.

The guide will provide information & on-trail assistance, administer first aid if needed, set the pace, lead the group, and determine the safest course of action throughout the entire trip. The guide has full control over the trip and has the authority to make changes to the itinerary as deemed necessary.

This is not a beginner trip. This is an intermediate level trip that involves moments of advanced level hiking and moderate climbing. It is each participants responsibility to research the routes we will cover and train appropriately for this trip, in advance. If the guide determines that your performance may hinder the overall success of the group or put you at risk, you may not be allowed to summit Katahdin. Showing up unprepared may result in you being dismissed from the trip. There will be no refunds if you are dismissed. You will receive training recommendations after booking your trip.

While we will do everything we can to provide a safe hike on Katahdin, we do not have any control over the weather. We have allotted a two day window for reaching the summit. In the unlikely event that we are unable to safely reach the summit, we will have to opt for a safer hike and make the best of the trip. We can not offer refunds due to weather. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance.

Get in touch.

If you are interested in participating in our trip, please reach out to us. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you register.

October 4 - 6, 2027:‍ 9 of 10 spots remaining