Katahdin question

[Suzzz]

To those of you who have summited Katahdin recently...

I will be going up the Hunt Trail this weekend with a friend (her first time and she's pretty excited) and so far it looks like the weather will be cooperating. We will be staying at Katahdin Stream Campground Friday night and were hoping to be on the trail bright and early Saturday morning but the BSP rules state that you can only start the trail at 7am. From my experience, BSP is pretty strict and they always enforce the rules. Has anyone here been able to start the trail earlier than that? Will there be a ranger standing guard at the trail head? If so I won't bother getting up at the crack of dawn. I'm not much of a morning person so I'll be a little grumpy if I get up early only to sit and wait.

That being said, I can't wait to be there!

[putts]

You should have no problem starting at any time you desire. I'm not sure that I've ever heard of the 7AM rule, and I'm more inclined to believe that it is a recommendation. If you have any doubts, Friday night, go check out the hiker sign in sheet at the trail head. You will find dozens of names next to a depart time earlier than 7 AM. Total non-issue. Have fun!!!

[ScottTrip]

In 2016, I started at 5:30 AM. The ranger actually recommended an early start to avoid crowds and any weather that was predicted for later that day.

[Suzzz]

When I made my reservation on the phone, the person I was talking to told me that you could only start the trail at 7am.

It will be my first time on the Hunt Trail, I usually go up from the other side of the mountain and I don't remember a specific start time from Roaring Brook so I was a little surprised when she told me that but I figured it might have something to do with the fact that the Hunt Trail is part of the AT.

So it's a go for an early start then!

[Puddlefish]

I'd be inclined to call back and ask them their reasoning directly. Maybe previous noise complaints of early risers in the campground? Might be expecting overnight frost (not that it would miraculously clear by 7 am.) Trail safety based on the sunrise time? I'm just making wild guesses.

[Slo-go'en]

I'm pretty sure they want you on your way up BEFORE or BY 7 AM. That ensures the average hiker has enough time to make up and back before dark.

[Suzzz]

I'd be inclined to call back and ask them their reasoning directly. Maybe previous noise complaints of early risers in the campground? Might be expecting overnight frost (not that it would miraculously clear by 7 am.) Trail safety based on the sunrise time? I'm just making wild guesses.

Agreed. I planned on asking when we get there Friday afternoon anyway. I was in a rush when I called to make the reservation and didn't have time to ask the lady to elaborate. I just thought I'd ask here to see if someone had heard about it. Like you said, overnight frost wouldn't be goine by 7am but it would be easier to manoeuver once the sun is up. I'll also take putts suggestion and the check sign-in sheets the night before.

[Suzzz]

I'm pretty sure they want you on your way up BEFORE or BY 7 AM. That ensures the average hiker has enough time to make up and back before dark.

That would be the logical way of thinking but she specifically said that we couldn't start before 7am.

I think I'm going to call them right now and ask again. Stay tuned!

[Suzzz]

Ok, soooooo....

Sorry guys, it's my bad, I was in such a rush when I called that I completely misunderstood the lady I was talking to. The 7am rule is for something completely different.

I just talked to someone who confirmed that we can start the trail whenever we wish to. There are NO time restrictions.

[Puddlefish]

Ok, soooooo....

Sorry guys, it's my bad, I was in such a rush when I called that I completely misunderstood the lady I was talking to. The 7am rule is for something completely different.

I just talked to someone who confirmed that we can start the trail whenever we wish to. There are NO time restrictions.

Well, that kills this thread... unless we feel like making up conspiracy theories. I'm going to go with "the aliens at the secret government base are nocturnal, and they don't want you on the trail until sunrise."

[Suzzz]

If I see any aliens on my way up, I'll say hello for you!

[peakbagger]

Despite the wrong info, I recommend a headlamp start. Its real easy to get going late from KSC this time of year as its on the wrong side of the mountain for sunrise.

Hopefully you have a great day, just bring plenty of warm gear including enough gear to cover all exposed skin. I was up there on Labor day weekend and there were traces of snow in the shadows on South Peak.

[dcdennis]

I submitted for the first time last month on 9/7. From KSC site #23 it took me 11 hours round trip and thats without dilly dallying for a single second at the summit because the weather was crap and no views. Leave yourself time, you dont want to be doing Katahdin in the dark if you can avoid it.

[Suzzz]

Despite the wrong info, I recommend a headlamp start. Its real easy to get going late from KSC this time of year as its on the wrong side of the mountain for sunrise. Hopefully you have a great day, just bring plenty of warm gear including enough gear to cover all exposed skin. I was up there on Labor day weekend and there were traces of snow in the shadows on South Peak.

We are thinking about setting out at 6am and we'll have plenty of warm clothes. I don't like being cold so I always have more than needed.

[Suzzz]

I submitted for the first time last month on 9/7. From KSC site #23 it took me 11 hours round trip and thats without dilly dallying for a single second at the summit because the weather was crap and no views. Leave yourself time, you dont want to be doing Katahdin in the dark if you can avoid it.

We are giving ourselves 12 hours to do it, hopefully we'll be done before that and hopefully the weather will be nice enough for a picture with the sign, especially for my friend who'll be up there for the first time.

[peakbagger]

I expect the leaves will be looking good, hard to beat Baxter in the fall if you get a good day.

[Sovi]

When do the leaves start to change up in Maine? Hoping to be able to see them at the end of my hike. Also hoping "fall" starts earlier up there than down here.

[putts]

When do the leaves start to change up in Maine? Hoping to be able to see them at the end of my hike. Also hoping "fall" starts earlier up there than down here.

It's already started. This is going to be a great weekend to be in Baxter!

Maine foliage tracker: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/projec...ge/index.shtml

"Augusta, ME (October 4, 2017) - The Fall Foliage Report from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry reports 70 percent color for the upcoming Columbus Day weekend in northern Maine, while the remainder of the state is at 40 to 50 percent color change. A low leaf drop is also reported throughout the state.
Typically, northern Maine (zones 6 and 7) reaches peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October. The rest of the state’s progression of color will start occurring from north to south in mid-October. Coastal Maine typically reaches peak conditions mid-to-late October."

[egilbe]

01DBEBBF-0CE5-44F1-BE0B-1061F8E18EE6.jpeg

Baldface Circle trail in Evans Notch area. Can see the AT on the Carter Moriah range from where the trail intersects with Meader Ridge trail. Leaves are already starting to fall. Kinda dry.

[peakbagger]

Leaf season has definitely shifted a couple of weeks from the past. They used to be over in the northern whites by now and this year still not yet peak.