3 Day Knife Edge & Katahdin Loop
Dates
June 28 - 30: Spring gives way to summer. Beautiful scenery, potentially buggy, and stable weather conditions. This time of the year has almost 16 hours of daylight which gives us the maximum window for a successful summit. The average high ranges from the low to mid 70s. The average low ranges from the upper 40s to the mid 50s. Cold snaps and heat waves are possible.
October 2 - 4: Fall is here! Peak fall foliage, fewer bugs, and cool temperatures. This time of the year is our favorite as the fall foliage sets the perfect atmosphere for an epic Katahdin adventure. The average high ranges from the upper 50s to low 60s. The average low ranges from the upper 30s to the low 40s. Cold snaps and heat waves are possible.
Itinerary
Day 1: 7:45 - 8:15 a.m. pick up from Bangor (Airport, hotel, car rental, or bus stop). We recommend flying into Bangor the day prior so that you are well rested. If you are driving to us, you must check-in at the Outfitters by 9:30 a.m. Our trip begins at 9:45 a.m. with a mandatory meet and greet with trip briefing. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. we will get organized, distribute food & rentals, and have a light lunch. 12:30 p.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. We plan to reserve the bunkhouse for this trip, however, if that is not possible we will stay in a pair of lean-tos.
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 famous Knife Edge to Baxter Peak, gaining approximately 365 feet. The Knife Edge is made up of multiple steep climbs/descents over boulders and takes on average 1.5 - 2 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 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 7-9 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. The shuttle will pick us up from the Roaring Brook Trailhead at 1:00 p.m. We will stop at Golden Road Crossing and Katahdin General for souvenir browsing on the ride back. Our arrival at the Hostel & Outfitters will be 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. We will have a celebratory group dinner in the evening.
Departure Day: 9:00 a.m. departure shuttle to Bangor (Airport, hotel, car rental, or bus stop). 10:00 a.m. check out for those who drove themselves.
POOR WEATHER ALTERNATE:
Day 1 will remain the same. While we hope for a good weather window on day 2, if the weather is not in our favor we will need to move Day 2’s hike to Day 3. This means we will spend Day 2 at Chimney Pond and potentially do short hikes at lower elevation. In this scenario we will cross the Knife Edge, summit, and hike back to Roaring Brook all on Day 3, which will take 10 - 12 hours to complete.
If the Knife Edge is not safe to cross on either day, we will focus on the summit, which will involve both ascending and descending the 2.2 mile Saddle Trail.
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.
We will have camp actives in the evening for those who want to participate.
Most meals are provided, snacks are not. Snacks can be purchased from the Outfitters.
While we hope to book the bunkhouse, each participant should be prepared for the possibility of sleeping in a lean-to.
Lodging & Shuttles
Lodging & shuttle service is provided through Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters.
Shuttle service is insured and licensed with the state of Maine.
Lodging on the final night of the trip will be a private room in the Hostel. The kitchen, bathroom, and shower are communal.
A coin-operated washer & dryer is located on-site. Change and house-made detergent are available at the Outfitters.
Linens, pillows, comforters, towels, shampoo, conditioner, loaner clothes, and coffee are included with your stay.
Please refer to Rooms & Rates for more details.
Pricing
Included: shuttle service to & from Bangor, shuttle service to & from Baxter State Park, campground fees, a private room in the Hostel on day 3, breakfast on day 2 & 3, lunch for all three days, dinner for all three nights, our fees, and guide fees. Prices are in USD.
Not included: any other transportation, any other accommodations, trip insurance, snacks & electrolytes, and optional gratuity for the shuttle drivers, hostel staff, and guide.
The shared accommodation rate is for couples, family members, or friends who want to share a room.
3 Day Knife Edge & Katahdin Loop with shared accommodations: $695 plus $3.15 for 9% Maine lodging tax
3 Day Knife Edge & Katahdin Loop with private accommodations: $720 plus $5.40 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 six participants. While we expect this trip to fill up, it should be noted that we do require a minimum of four participants to cover the cost of operating this trip. If less than four participants have registered by the due date, those who have booked this trip will have the option to either cover the additional costs so that the trip may proceed or cancel their trip and receive a refund, minus processing fees.
Cancellation Policy:
Domestic (US) - Cancellation fee
90+ days - 50% of deposit
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 that a slack-packing trip takes time and advance notice to plan and execute. Please understand that we may turn away other customers in order to hold your reservation. Our policy is not meant to be punitive, however, we plan far in advance to make these trips a possibility. At the time of the due date, funds may have already been used in preparation for your upcoming trip. For this reason, we strictly adhere to our cancellation policy. We strongly suggest that you purchase 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, by email, to info@katahdinadventureco.com.
In the event we need to cancel a trip due to unforeseen circumstances, partial or full refunds will be made, depending on how much of the trip has been completed.
Katahdin Adventure Company (Appalachian Trail Hostel & Outfitters LLC) 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 will be required to carry all necessary supplies and gear for their safety and enjoyment. There is a list of essential items the guide requires you have with you. We will send the list and relevant information at booking. If you lack any of the required items, they can be rented or purchased 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 28 - 30: Cancelled
October 2 - 4: 4 of 6 spots available