Catarunk to Monson in May: Snowshoes or Pack Canoe?

[Tramper Al]

Catarunk to Monson in May: Snowshoes, Pack Canoe, Bicycle or Plane?

Hey,

I am contemplating an early season AT section backpack from Caratunk to Monson, about 35 miles in a about 2.5 days.

The section includes 2 mountains, Pleasant Pond and Moxie Bald, in the 2500 foot range. So, depending on reports of residual snow, I may be bringing my lightweight snowshoes.

More importantly, the section includes two killer fords, and one other that can be dicey. I will cancel if it is raining, but otherwise I'll definitely bring my fording shoes and some dry socks. Or would I be better off carrying my pack canoe?

Is the third week of May a little early to make this trip? Will I have fooled the blackflies with my early start? I'm just trying to get to Katahdin, don't you know.

 

[el-bagr]

Tramper, you're partly kidding, right? There may be a bit of residual snow at highest elevations on shaded aspects, but I wouldn't expect it to be a problem -- by that time, at those elevations, it shouldn't be much more than the "esker" of compressed snow left in the middle of the trail.

As far as pack canoe, hopefully it's a creek boat. You'll have minor, skirtable fords at the south end of Moxie Pond and Bald Mtn Pond. E and W Branch Pis would be the hardest, I'd wager. Still, unless it's raging rain, I'd give it a go. Not too early, probably not even with the March snows. Do practice safe fording!

 

[Tramper Al]

Yes and no

Tramper, you're partly kidding, right?

Well, yes, but only the bit about carrying my pack canoe 35 miles in order to keep from swimming a couple of times. It's light in weight, but not that light.

I will practice safe fording (and then practice some more).

I was serious about the snowshoes, but only if a recent report from the area strongly suggests I might find them useful on the two hills. They only weigh a couple of pounds for the pair. I have done some postholing in late May of a good snow year, but typically at at least 3000 feet. I don't think that Maine has a law requiring snowshoes, so I will have to use my judgement on this.

 

[poison ivy]

Tramper Al -- I have no useful information for you, but hope you have some for me! Are you using a shuttler to get back to your car, and if so, which one?

- Ivy

 

[Tramper Al]

Are you using a shuttler to get back to your car, and if so, which one?

I think not. I have plotted car-spotting bicycle routes for my three remaining ME AT sections (Carry Ponds, Caratunk-Monson, and 100 Mile) before BSP, but that is another story. They are LONG.

My current plan is to either 1) convince the friend who is joining me for the Carry Ponds trip to meet me pre-trip in Monson rather than Caratunk, or 2) convince another friend that he ought to hike Cartunk to Monson with me, despite or perhaps because of the prospect of crazy springtime river fording.

I am seriously thinking of looking into the Katahdin Air float plane option for the 100 Mile, as rumor holds that it may not be quite as expensive as one might expect. I'm thinking of parking at Abol Bridge, then bicycling back out to the float plane by the Togue Pond / Golden Road crossover. If you want to coordinate a bit and split the cost of the charter flight with me sometime this summer, do let me know! I think it would be a sweet way to start into the 'Wilderness'.

Or, I may just book a couple of lean-tos for a couple of nights at Katahdin Stream in high season, see who shows up there to watch me climb the mountain at sunrise, then beg a ride back to Monson. Not that I've really put much thought into that fine day.

 

[hikerfast]

can you give me some info on this pack canoe?

 

[Mad Townie]

As el-bagr said, snow won't be a problem (unless there's a freak blizzard ), and the fords shouldn't be too bad, either. Those streams respond quickly to rain, though, and Papa Bear had an interesting story about his experience with the Wilson streams.

Be prepared for some COLD water! But this is Maine, so you knew that.

 

[Tramper Al]

can you give me some info on this pack canoe?

Sure. Pack canoes in general are solo, short canoes, usually fairly lightweight, designed for portage as well as for paddling.
Old Town makes a 12 foot Pack Canoe that is popular with the general market. You can go quite a bit lighter in weight, for higher cost, and get a boat in the 12 to 20 lb range that I think most backpackers could carry quite a ways.

They are used on portage intensive routes, lake to lake, and to access remote ponds. A class of Rushton or Wee Lassie canoes of this size is quite popular in the Adirondacks, often with a very low (or floor) seat and moved with a single- or often double-bladed paddle.

 

[askus3]

As you know I did that section last year and although I did it in late Sept (on purpose so that bugs would be minimal and water levels low-which was the case), my suggestion is to not bother with either snowshoes or canoe. The fords are existent and will definitely require walking poles for extra balance but the first Piscataquis crossing northbound has an island to break it up and the canoe might even be more of a pain as a result. About one mile past Bald Mountain Pond is the crossing of Bald Mountain Stream. This one surprised me as half the rocks to balance on were submerged, so where the other fords I was expecting this one I tried to boot it but was unsuccessful at staying dry, although others in my party had better luck. None of the fords are longer than 30 yards each. As for snowshoes and snow Pleasant Pond Mt. & Moxie Bald are only in the upper 2,000 range, so maybe some spotty snow in some shady spots at the most, but leave the snowshoes home! The streams are a definite concern, expect to get a little wet, but these are not fast gushing streams, you are crossing at placid locations so enjoy the challenge, it should be a diversion and fun. You might even find the cold water numbing and soothing for your sore feet. Lastly, bring some repellent but you might be a week ahead of the worst of the back flies. I usually figure that they will start becoming a nuisance around Memorial Day.

Have fun. By the way, if you are bicycling from Caratunk, if you have time to ride north on Moxie Pond Road from the AT crossing a couple of miles, that is one of the prettiest roads imaginable and near The Forks is a spectacular waterfalls (Moxie Falls) that is a must see. Overall, I was quite impressed with this stretch of the AT. I hiked the 19 miles from Blanchard southbound to Moxie Pond Road in one day, so 2.5 days from Caratunk to Monson is certainly doable.

 

[Tramper Al]

Hey,

Thanks everyone for your replies and encouragement.

I guess I should state again that I really did not intend at any point to haul my pack canoe over 35 miles of trail. It was just a gesture in mock self-ridicule of my trip plan. Sorry about that.

This time of year, after a recent trip half way up Maine, it is hard to imagine that the snow will be gone anytime soon. However, I will do as recommended and will not even put my racing snowshoes in the car, let alone on my pack.

I am going to try hard to make this trip in May as planned, as I am very excited to get out there again.

 

[poison ivy]

I think not. I have plotted car-spotting bicycle routes for my three remaining ME AT sections (Carry Ponds, Caratunk-Monson, and 100 Mile) before BSP, but that is another story. They are LONG.

Yeah, I was looking at bicycling back to my car too but I think the rides are just way too long for me to do (as they do not appear to be downhill!)

I am seriously thinking of looking into the Katahdin Air float plane option for the 100 Mile, as rumor holds that it may not be quite as expensive as one might expect.

Wow... I know the shuttle is pricey but if a float plane is cheaper, that's pretty amazing! It sounds like fun though. I already have my vacation booked for the 100-Mile trip for the last week in August/first week in September, as I need to incorporate Labor Day weekend for the extra day to make up for my general slow pace. If you end up climbing the big K on Labor Day, I'll be in the area and be happy to shuttle you back to your car.

- Ivy

 

[el-bagr]

Katahdin Air's website says AT drop-offs average $50 per person. That's quite reasonable for wings, IMO.

And Tramper, you mean you're not bringing the pack canoe? You must be bringing your pack autogyro instead.

 

[Tramper Al]

Shuttling the 100 Mile

Ivy, be careful, or I may just take you up on your generous offer. If I were to hike the 100 Mile in a week, ending at Katahdin Stream CG on Labor Day Sunday, that would do it. Heck, I'd even be eligible for a spot at the Birches. Then, I could watch the sun come up from the Tablelands on Sept 5th, nice.

However, el-bagr, a $50 flight from the shadow of Katahdin down to Spectacle Pond outside of Monson sounds fantastic, doesn't it?

Thanks all for the good options!

 

[g o]

hey al,

the plane sounds pretty cool.

if you decide on a land route, let me know what your plan is and i will arrange for your shuttle. just let me know.

i also wouldn't mind joining you for the katahdin hike, if you wnat company.

 

[poison ivy]

Wow... thanks for putting up the info on the plane. It never would have occurred to me to look for something like that... if it actually ends up being cheaper or the same as a shuttle, it will be a lot more fun to fly to Monson rather than sit in a car for hours!

Tramper Al, definitely let me know if your schedule works out so that I can give you a ride (that is if you'll be able to stand the smell!! I will have been on the trail for nine days. )

- Ivy

 

[Tramper Al]

Hah,

It's funny how both my thoughts and this thread have skipped all the way from Flagstaff Lake up through the 100 Mile and on to Katahdin. The miles sure go by easily just sitting and thinking.

Ivy, I will only get to the park in time for your ride if I pass you somewhere on the trail! I don't know about you, but I'll be swimming many times in the 100 Mile, and defintely at Big Niagara Falls.

Thanks GO, for the help with shuttling and particularly your company on the trail. I have heard that the AT section from Abol Bridge to Daicey is completely flat, so that's all good. As for summit day, if I start up the Hunt before dawn, let's leave that part out of the trip report so I don't get a reputation for early wake-ups.