So, when I get to Katahdin (hopefully in August), what is the end game? The simple plan is that I finish the trail on Katahdin and my wife and daughter drive up from Boston to pick me up - but the devil is in the details.

My current idea is to stay at Hurd Brook Lean-to (or Abol Bridge Campground or Abol Pines Campground) on day K-2, hike to the Birches or Katahdin Stream Campground (KSC) on day K-1, hike and summit Katahdin on day K-0 then return to KSC for overnight.

You can reserve spaces at KSC by phone (207-723-5140) or on line (https://reservation.baxterstatepark.org/reserve , if it works). The reality – there is little/no cell phone reception in Baxter State Park so you have to call ahead from Monson to check on availability and make a reservation (or you can take your chances and just show up at KSC). I figure that it may take me 8-9 days to get from Monson to KSC which may make getting the reservation date(s) right.

Since car access to Baxter State Park is limited, day use parking may not be available for my pick up. I can hike out to Abol Bridge for a pick up. I may be able to get a ride to Millinocket from other campers since most people leaving the Park are heading there. Starting in September a shuttle comes to the KSC at about 4 PM on most days.

I carry a SPOT device so my wife and daughter can track me and see where I am. They’ll be able to see me pop out of the 100 Mile Wilderness and make my way into Baxter State Park and to KSC.

My thought is for my wife and daughter to drive from Boston to Millinocket (340 miles/5.5 hours) on day K-0 while I summit. I somehow get to Millinocket then or the next day. We return to Boston after staying in Millinocket overnight.


Can you make KSC reservations at the AT Visitor Center in Monson?

Where is there reliable cell phone service from Monson –> Abol Bridge –> KSC -> Millinocket?

What is the wisdom for setting up a pick up?

How do we coordinate this without reliable cell phone service?


Most of my information comes from:

The A.T. Guide, Guthook Guide

https://baxterinfo.wordpress.com/201...hdin-for-2018/

https://i0.wp.com/www.baxterstatepar...ches.png?ssl=1

I didn’t find a lot of practical info here on WB.


Yes, as always, I’m over thinking this, but there’s got to be some plan for them.