Maine in August

[rup]

With Algonq Bob's cancel of the July Ktaadn trip, we've decided to take a week in Aug to finish the 4000 fts in Maine. My wife walks slowly, so I'm looking for a balance of daylight hours and bugs (max sun, min bugs) - espec for the Ktaadn hike.

Any ideas when the bug bloom ends this year??
Not worried about CV, but any clues on getting into BSP last minute??

 

[TDawg]

Get in line at the gate EARLY, like 5am early...

 

[rup]

Is that for weekdays as well??

How many people do they let in per day???

Are bears a problem in the campgrounds??

 

[The Unstrung Harp]

The last couple of times I've been up there, everyone has said to get there at the crack of dawn, but I always seem to be the only one in the parking lot when I do that! So I dunno. Maybe there are peak times at which it gets busier, but I wouldn't worry tooooo terribly much. (Has anyone here ever been unable to park? I am curious.)

You could probably call up there regarding the time you have your reservations and ask if it is typically a very busy day, etc.

I am sure there are bears around, but I think the park-folk run a pretty tight ship, trash-wise. I have seen a lot of moose around but never been bothered by, or seen, a bear around when at Katahdin Stream, Abol, or Nesowadnehunk, which I totally just spelled incorrectly. I did always put my food in my car overnight, just in case...

I'll be up there in late July. Can't wait! Hope you have a lovely trip.

 

[billski]

With Algonq Bob's cancel of the July Ktaadn trip, we've decided to take a week in Aug to finish the 4000 fts in Maine. My wife walks slowly, so I'm looking for a balance of daylight hours and bugs (max sun, min bugs) - espec for the Ktaadn hike.

Any ideas when the bug bloom ends this year??
Not worried about CV, but any clues on getting into BSP last minute??

The rangers used to say to me that black fly season Maine is "all summer." Half true, half joke. I think August is second only to September for hiking in BSP. And a pretty close second. Already in August the nights begin to get cooler. I'd go for it. Good choice. In fact, I wish it was me!
ENJOY!

As long as you stow and/or string up your food properly (and almost everyone does) there is usually no problem with critters. I would worry more about the smaller critters scavenging anyways, not bears.

 

[rup]

Still considering the loop walk over Ktaadn. My wife is a very slow hiker.

b/t/w, any bears in BSP?? Pleanty of stories on moose, etc, but very little on bears.

 

[Stan]

I've never seen a bear in Baxter though they are known to be there. Perhaps they are not a problem because everyone takes the usual precautions ... Chimney Pond has a bear line for campers at the leantos. In other words, they are more like black bears which haven't been "fed", they scoot at the approach of humans ... 'cept when they have cubs around.

rup, if your wife is a slow hiker and you wish to do the loop, I suggest staying at Chimney Pond, bunkhouse or leanto. Being in the park is so much better than the hassle of lining up, risking parking lot limits, driving additional time ... the posted speed limit of 20 mph is quite realistic ... I bet you can get suitable reservations.

As for black flies, so what? Prepare for 'em like any other aspect of being in the wild. I'd be more concerned with mosquitos this year.

 

[cushetunk]

rup, nice use of the Thoreau spelling circa 1855.

If you're willing to camp, you can probably get last-minute reservations somewhere close to Katahdin in the park. This has worked for me in the past... called up the day before and found myself at Roaring Brook the next evening. Even if you aren't at Roaring Brook, you can always leave one campground and drive around to the other... a P.I.T.A. but you can beat the day users who are waiting for the gate to open. (But once the gate is open you're no more likely to get a spot. And the slow driving is a consideration. It's like an hour to go from Katahdin Stream campground to Roaring Brook.)

This might, however, save the hassle of waiting in the morning, and of having to spend time driving.


Edit: Bugs are always a possibility in the great north woods. Bring beer for post-hike homeopathic treatment. Suggested dosage: For biting black flies - Allagash Dubbel. For mosquitoes - Geary's HSA. Consume as needed, repeat if necessary.

 

[BorealChickadee]

b/t/w, any bears in BSP?? Pleanty of stories on moose, etc, but very little on bears.

Used to stay two weeks every year in Baxter, usually at South Branch Pond. Bears every day. On the pond's edge, at the blueberry patches, prowling the picnic tales and most definitely trying to raid the chained dumpster at night. Things may have changed since then. My guess is they have, since when I was there a few years ago it was moose I saw the most frequently.

August is a great time!