tomcat32
Active member
I've been wanting to hike the Northwest Basin area for a long time. I'd stay at Davis Pond but the glorious rules at BSP require you stay at least one night at another campsite in the park. This makes for short days and lots of money. After looking at the maps I found that I could do it in a day and go over Katahdin via the Knife Edge in a long loop of just over 20 miles. The weather looked primo for Friday and I had off so I through my pack together and decided to go.
My route followed these trails: Helon Taylor-Knife Edge-Saddle-quick jaunt to Hamlin-Northwest Basin-Russel Pond-finish Roaring Brook.
It was a chilly start and a little breezy going up Helon and across Knife Edge. Clear except for a little fog hugging Hamlin Ridge. I made it to Katahdin with on a duo there and a lone hiker arriving not too long after me. I didn't linger too long maybe 20 mins and a quick snack. Hike to Caribou Spr was beautiful with nearly endless visiblilty. I dropped my pack and trotted over to Hamlin even though I was there 3 times in the past but it was only .2 miles from here. I continued now on NW Basin Trail. I never been to this area but it's very unique. I've been above treeline since part way up Helon. But this stretch is very flat and it doesn't feel like your at elevation except for surrounding peaks are lower towards Brothers, Doubletop, Owl, and beyond. Approaching NW Plateau it is very flat. Drop into basin is pretty with its sheer wall.
A quick stop at DAvis Pond Lean to I had a snack and continued. I've been all over New England and this felt just about as remote as anywhere in the east. The last few miles to Russel Pond were flat and smooth allowing me to trot to gain some time. From Russel Pond to Roaring Brook the trail is in forest with few partial views but relatively easy hiking. The view from Whidden Pond is gorgeous.
I saw 3 groups near trailhead. two groups on Katahdin. One pair climbing out of NW basin, and 3 groups along length of Russel Pond Trail. I think with Hamlin total trip was right around 21 miles.
My route followed these trails: Helon Taylor-Knife Edge-Saddle-quick jaunt to Hamlin-Northwest Basin-Russel Pond-finish Roaring Brook.
It was a chilly start and a little breezy going up Helon and across Knife Edge. Clear except for a little fog hugging Hamlin Ridge. I made it to Katahdin with on a duo there and a lone hiker arriving not too long after me. I didn't linger too long maybe 20 mins and a quick snack. Hike to Caribou Spr was beautiful with nearly endless visiblilty. I dropped my pack and trotted over to Hamlin even though I was there 3 times in the past but it was only .2 miles from here. I continued now on NW Basin Trail. I never been to this area but it's very unique. I've been above treeline since part way up Helon. But this stretch is very flat and it doesn't feel like your at elevation except for surrounding peaks are lower towards Brothers, Doubletop, Owl, and beyond. Approaching NW Plateau it is very flat. Drop into basin is pretty with its sheer wall.
A quick stop at DAvis Pond Lean to I had a snack and continued. I've been all over New England and this felt just about as remote as anywhere in the east. The last few miles to Russel Pond were flat and smooth allowing me to trot to gain some time. From Russel Pond to Roaring Brook the trail is in forest with few partial views but relatively easy hiking. The view from Whidden Pond is gorgeous.
I saw 3 groups near trailhead. two groups on Katahdin. One pair climbing out of NW basin, and 3 groups along length of Russel Pond Trail. I think with Hamlin total trip was right around 21 miles.
