Katahdin: North Peaks Trail

[Papa Bear]

The North Peaks Trail on Katahdin has been closed for a couple of years. Has anyone looked at it lately? Is it bushwhackable? (I know in theory anything is bushwhackable )

The trail description in the MMG mentions:

...
The lower end runs through dense , mixed growth of small trees.
...
at 4.6 miles the trail becomes a trench in dense scrub.
...

I'm guessing it wouldn't take too long for this to become fairly impenetrable.

Anyone wanna do it?

Pb

 

[Tramper Al]

Ranger won't like it, Yogi.

I was disappointed to learn that the trail was closed. I have always considered it the ideal route for the Maine section of the International Appalachian Trail, from the Katahdin summit heading north out of the park.

 

[spencer]

At the Friends of Baxter State Park meeting this weekend, it was discussed.

The Friends are in support of the trail being reopened.

that of course means nothing more than it says. The park is not obligated to follow the recommendations of the Friends.

I've never been on the trail but would really like to have a go at it...

spencer

 

[Papa Bear]

I was disappointed to learn that the trail was closed. I have always considered it the ideal route for the Maine section of the International Appalachian Trail, from the Katahdin summit heading north out of the park.

Interesting observation Al. Last year we were chatting with a young Ranger at Chimney Pond about why it was closed. He said one rumor was to discourage IAT thru hikers from going through Baxter. Conspiracy theories, conspiracy theories. This made not a lot of sense to me since potential IATers can simply take the Northwest Basin trail to Davis Pond (which is is about 4 miles closer) or all the way to Russell Pond (which would only be about a mile longer). Either way it would be a tough pull from Katahdin Stream with full pack over Baxter peak and then out to Russell Pond.

But what do I know ...

 

[twigeater]

I understood that the trail was closed because Baxter Park was approached about using the trail to connect with the IAT and Buzz and the Authority decided it was not a good idea. Even after that, the trail was posted on the IAT website as an "unofficial" connector. So the trail was closed. Sure the Northwest Basin trail could be used, but just let that be posted in the IAT website as a suggestion...

Apparently Baxter has enough to do to manage hikers within the section of the AT that comes into the park. I was told that the reason for the "Birches" is because Daicey Pond keeps going back and forth about whether they want those "stinky hikers" travelling thru or not (not my words)

A few years ago, a friend of mine wanted to bushwack the North Peaks trail when we were leaving Russell...the ranger told him it had about 80 blow downs at that time.

I absolutely LOVE hiking the above tree line section of the trail. Peace, beauty, and solitude on Katahdin...

 

[Papa Bear]

I understood that the trail was closed because Baxter Park was approached about using the trail to connect with the IAT and Buzz and the Authority decided it was not a good idea. Even after that, the trail was posted on the IAT website as an "unofficial" connector. So the trail was closed. Sure the Northwest Basin trail could be used, but just let that be posted in the IAT website as a suggestion...

If I live long enough to do the IAT, I certainly would not do the road walks in Maine over to New Brunswick, North Peaks Trail or no North Peaks Trail.

The route I have in mind is to hike to Russell Pond CG (by any available trail) then on up through South Branch Pond, and up to Webster Outlet CG. Then I hop into my canoe and run the Alagash. (It's called White Water Blazing ). Then up the Saint John and eventually the Saint Francis into Quebec and who-knows-how reconnect to the established IAT.

Now, how do I get that canoe up the Hunt Trail?? Anyway, it's a crazy plan in my head. Anyone wanna join me? Who knows, some day ...

Pb

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

"A few years ago, a friend of mine wanted to bushwack the North Peaks trail when we were leaving Russell...the ranger told him it had about 80 blow downs at that time. "


This is the same story that I heard from Chief Ranger Chris Drew a few years ago, or whenever the closure took place.

 

[Tramper Al]

Iat

The IAT in Maine suffers from a double whammy of non-support, rendering it largely a country road walk.

Baxter doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with it, God forbid a few more hikers would book campsites in the park. The logging landowners over the rest of its route apparently are afraid of future Federal designation if they allow a hiking trail today.

The official route of the IAT from Baxter Peak is not at all official. It is up to the hiker to choose his/her path from Katahdin to Patten, ME. The two suggested routes are backpacking north through the park (yeah) or walking by road back to Millinocket (thanks anyway). I don't mind making reservations to walk through the park, just as SOBO AT hikers do, no problem.

From the IAT website:

"Alternate Route North through Baxter State Park to Patten

Presently it is possible to reach Patten using a combination of existing trails within Baxter State Park and the North Entrance Road to Shin Pond. Hikers need to know, however, that reservations are mandatory for travel within the Park. All SIA/IAT hikers are required to either obtain the proper reservations, or avoid use of the park and follow the above route through Millinocket."

I can't believe the North Peaks Trail would be closed out of fear that the IAT popularity might overwhelm the resource. That woud be kind of sad. Is Katahdin's position as the crown jewel of the AT such a burden?

Papa Bear's canoe route is a great alternative, too. For me, though, that's a whole other trail. While it would be possible to portage the canoe over the mountain, I think I would leave it (and my 2 weeks of food) where I planned to cross the tote road heading out of the park. Maybe I'm just lazy that way.

 

[twigeater]

The IAT website did change it's recommended BSP trail once the North Peaks trail closed.
I don't claim to know all the politics behind BSP's decisions - but if you recall a few years ago a fellow who fell while hiking in tevas on one of the slide trails leading to the Brothers...he used his cell phone to call for rescue and the trail was promptly closed.
I haven't hiked that area much, so I can't say if the trail ever opened again.