Where do you park at the end of the 100 Mile Wilderness?

[Lawn Sale]

We are looking to spot a car at the end of the 100 mile wilderness, but don't know where we can leave one. Abol bridge? But what about climbing Katahdin? How would we get back to it? Any help is much appreciated.

 

[AntlerPeak]

Yes at Abol Bridge. What we did as we had reservations at the cg was day hike to Daicy Pond or it may have been Tracy, I don't recall. Then drove around to the camp ground where the AT passes through and found our reserved lean-to. That evening we hiked the AT back to Tracy Pond where we turned around early in the day. With a hike back to the LT we did hike that section twice but got it done with one vehicle. Next Day Kathdin and done. That trail between pond from Abol and the cg is really nice.

 

[askus3]

Note that there is a short cut trail from The Birches Campsite south to the AT near Abol Bridge known as the Blueberry Ledge Trail. So a circular can be made staying at Abol Bridge. For details on my hikes from Katahdin look here.

 

[Papa Bear]

When Rambler and I did it in 2004, we did another variation:

We spotted the car at Abol Bridge (the store people told us where to park). Then 8 days later when we got there we camped the night at the commercial campground (ask in the store) although some folks we met on the way camped across the road at the State campground.

We replenished some stuff from the car, and ditched some stuff (like the tents) then hiked to the Birches the next morning.

We summited Katahdin the next day, but decided on the spur of the moment to come down via the Knife Edge and Helon Taylor trail and hitched a ride from Roaring Brook - we just went to the parking lot and asked whoever was getting into their cars. Second car we asked was good. We convinced the car to drop us at Abol Ponds (a couple of miles past the gate for them), hiked the mile of so out and we were back at the car.

BTW: those who decide, as we did, to descend via the Knife Edge - we found it was very easy to hitch back. Go for it!

And for those who return via the Hunt trail - it's also an easy hitch down to Abol Ponds and a short hike back to Abol Bridge.

Another aside - We stayed a night at White House landing (and picked up a mail drop). Highly reccomended!

 

[Mad Townie]

We should also point out (unless the rules have changed recently) that parking next to the store at Abol Bridge is "No Chahge!"

No matter how you descend The Mountain, you should have no problem getting a ride, at least to within a short walk from your vehicle.

Enjoy the Hundred!

 

[Lawn Sale]

Many thanks to those who responded. We'll leave the van at Abol, in case we run into through-hikers that need a ride, and I'll bring an ultralight pack to change into for Katahdin.

I'm sure we'll enjoy it, thanks!