Copy/Repost Hike

On Friday, March 7th, Mark and Mike carpooled up from Rangeley and Kevin and I met up and rode together from Jaffrey.  We all congregated at the Millinocket McDonald's at a little past noon.  After dropping off our revised participant list with the Park Headquarters (next door), we proceeded to drive up Route 157 to the park...taking the Golden Road from Millinocket Lake to the winter parking lot at Abol Bridge (where the AT crosses).  It was roughly 1:30PM and we got ourselves assembled and headed out on our walk into the park...specifically Daicey Pond where we were staying.  Mark and Mike pulled sleds and Kevin and I backpacked.

It was a gorgeous day with deep blue skies and in the low 30's.  Shortly after crossing the road there was the trail split for either the Tote Road or trail out to the cabin.  We chose the trail as it was a couple of miles shorter and it had been compacted by snowmobiles.  We had decided when we started out to don microspikes and this was perfect (Kevin barebooted it).  The walk out to Daicey Pond was absolutely beautiful passing by Foss, Knowlton, Lost Ponds with open views of Mt. Katahdin frequently along the way.  This alone was worth the price of admission!  It was approximately 4:30 when we reached Daicey Pond and instead of using the final portion of trail we crossed the pond straight towards the cabins on the opposite shore...reaching our cabin "Chipmunk Hollow" about 15 minutes later.  The cabin was very nice...having a very nice common area with the two bedrooms off of either side.  It was also outfitted with a wood-burning stove and gas light.  We immediately got the fire going to take the chill out of the air!  Afterwards we settled in, ate dinner and just relaxed getting to know one another better.  Probably by about 9:30 we were all calling it a night...getting up periodically to keep the stove going!

In the morning we arose around 6AM to eat breakfast and get an early start at the trail.  The sunrise was amazing with the mountain in the background.  We finally got going and out of the cabin by 7:25AM.  The skies had clouded over by this time, but the temperatures were comfortable.  Diagonally crossing the pond we encountered the AT and followed this as it meandered through the woods to Katahdin Stream Campground, which we reached by 8:15AM.  We continued following the AT, which was now the Hunt Trail as it headed into the woods.  For the most part this was modest in grade as it followed Katahdin Stream up to the waterfalls.  Up to this point the trail was well-packed as snowmobiles had used it as well.  After this point, however, it was another story...the trail was completely unbroken.  While we were taking a break at the falls, we also changed from microspikes to snowshoes.  It was a little after 9AM and as we continued as the trail progressively steepened and it also became slower and slower going.  By about noon we had climbed up to "The Gateway", which presented itself infront of us just about the time we had broken treeline.  This was at an elevation of about 3800 feet.  At first I had checked it out and determined that we needed to change to crampons.  At this point Mike climbed further up to check the route.  After much contemplation with the group we decided it probably wasn't safe to proceed as the granite was steep and ice-covered.  Also, only two of us had ice axes, which affected the decision.  It was kinda funny that when I had spoken to the Ranger in advance of the trip, she had indicated that the Hunt Trail was the easiest route and we would have no trouble at all.  Still, the views were great even from here...from the cliffs of The Owl to the very recognizable Doubletop.  Also by about this time the sun was starting to break through the clouds.  Still, the wind and temperature was feeling brutal.

In any case we started back and made great time as the trail had now been broken out.  We reached the Katahdin Stream Falls again by just before 2PM and took a nice break there.  After this point the trail was again fairly easy, but it took us another 2 hours to return to the cabin.  Of course, by this time the skies were once again open and very blue...go figure!  We settled back into the cabin with the guys enjoying a much deserved beer that they had packed in.  While the previous night we had the campground to ourselves, this night there was another party of men in the cabin next door.  We went out after dinner to chat, while they were all on the pond talking.  Again we had all pretty much called it a night by about 9:30PM.

On Sunday morning we awoke by about 6:30/7:00AM.  We had breakfast before packing up and cleaning up the cabin.  At about 9:30 we started our walk out using the same route that we had used on Friday...but not before Mike had an opportunity to put his mark on the pond...a snow-angel!  It was again an absolutely beautiful day!  We made it back to our cars by just after noon.  We drove back to Millinocket where Mike and Mark split off to head back over to Rangeley and Kevin and I began our long ride home.

Despite not achieving the summit, this was still an amazing weekend!  Baxter State Park is simply enchanting in the winter.  Thanks to Mark, Mike and Kevin for joining me on this very special trip...you guys were great to hang out with!

While the Hunt Trail turned out not to be the best choice, it was a great learning experience.  Next time, the more prudent choice might be the Abol Trail, which utilizes a slide, but joins the Hunt above the "Gateway".  Unfortunately, this would entain lean-to camping.  Anyway, the mountain's not going anywhere and we'll be back!

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