3-Day: Knife Edge & Katahdin Hike

Dates

June 25 - 28: Lush forests, cool to warm weather, and long days. This time of the year is usually a little more quiet in the Park. Potential biting insects. The average high is in the upper 60s. The average low is in the mid 50s. Heat waves are possible. This time of the year has approximately 16 hours of daylight.

Itinerary

Day 1: Our trip begins at 8:00 a.m. with a mandatory meet and greet, with trip briefing. From 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. we will get organized and distribute food & rentals. 11:00 a.m. departure for the Roaring Brook Trailhead. We will hike 3.3 miles along the Chimney Pond Trail to the remote Chimney Pond Campground. The estimated elevation gain is 1425 feet. This is a moderate hike with roots, rocks, and stone steps in the trail. Depending on which reservations we are able to obtain, we will stay in the bunkhouse or a pair of lean-tos. If you are driving to us, you must check-in at the Outfitters at 8:00 a.m. If you are flying, you must arrive in Bangor the day before and we will pick you up at 6:45 a.m. from your Hotel.

Day 2: We will ascend the 1.9 mile Dudley Trail to Pamola Peak, gaining approximately 1988 feet in elevation. The Dudley Trail contains a massive boulder field and can take 3+ hours to ascend. From Pamola Peak we will begin the 1.1 mile hike across the Knife Edge to Baxter Peak, gaining approximately 365 feet. The Knife Edge is made up of multiple steep climbs/descents over boulders and along narrow ridges. It takes on average 2-3 hours to cross. Once at Baxter Peak we will have reached the summit of Katahdin. From Baxter Peak we will descend 2.2 miles along the Saddle Trail back to Chimney Pond Campground, dropping an estimated 2353 feet in elevation. Expect the descent to take approximately 2-3 hours. This day is a very strenuous hike and for many hikers it is the most difficult day of hiking they have ever completed. Overall, we anticipate the group to take 7-10 hours to complete this Hike.

Day 3: We will depart from Chimney Pond Campground sometime in the morning and begin the 3.3 mile descent along the Chimney Pond Trail, dropping an estimated 1425 feet in elevation. Hike concludes at Roaring Brook Trailhead by 1:00 p.m. We will stop at Golden Road Crossing for souvenir browsing and lunch/snacks on the ride back. Our arrival at the Hostel & Outfitters will be approximately 3:00 p.m. We will have a celebratory group dinner in the evening.

Free Day: Used to adjust the trip, if necessary, due to weather related concerns.

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 four days (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Free Day) plus Departure Day. If forecasted weather presents unsafe conditions for our scheduled Knife Edge and summit day, Free Day will be on the first day of the trip, and Day 1-3 will follow. If forecasted weather presents safe conditions for our scheduled Knife Edge and summit day, Day 1-3 will occur as scheduled and Free Day will be on the fourth day of the trip. This three day trip has a four 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 and crossing the Knife Edge.

The serene and picturesque Chimney Pond Campground will be our basecamp as we make our attempt.

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.

Most meals are provided, snacks are not. Snacks can be purchased from the Outfitters.

Each participant should be prepared for the possibility of sleeping in a lean-to.

Lodging

Lodging is provided through Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters.

Lodging on free day and/or the final night 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 one to two nights in the hostel, route planning & daily itinerary management, trip logistics support, permits & reservations, staff & guide support, two breakfasts, three lunches, 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: Knife Edge & Katahdin Hike with shared accommodations: $905.00 plus $7.20 for 9% Maine lodging tax

3-Day: Knife Edge & Katahdin Hike with private accommodations: $965.00 plus $12.60 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 eight participants. While we expect this trip to fill up, we require a minimum of four participants to cover the operating cost. If fewer than four 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, such as a backpack, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. 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 or cross the Knife Edge. 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 climb over the Knife Edge, we do not have any control over the weather. We have allotted a two day window for crossing the Knife Edge and reaching the summit. In the unlikely event that we are unable to safely cross the Knife Edge, 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.

June 25 - 28, 2027:‍ 8 of 8 spots remaining

Dates are proposed and based on the ability to obtain highly competitive Chimney Pond reservations. Dates may need to be shifted once reservations are acquired.