Trail Heads to Maine’s Highest Point

Day hikers can summit the highest point in Maine at Baxter State Park.

The 9.2-miles round trip Hunt Trail heads from a campground to Mount Katahdin, which rises 5266 feet above sea level. The trail sports a 4188 foot elevation gain and is best done June through October. In fact, snowfall often closes the road to the trailhead during the winter.

Baxter State Park is 183 miles from Acadia National Park, but the four-hour drive is worth it if visiting Maine from another state. The inland state park boasts unrivaled hiking with more than 200 miles of trails, all of them quite different than what you’ll see at coastal Acadia. During September, the state park delivers on vibrant fall colors that New England is so well known for.

To reach the trail from Acadia, in Ellsworth, Maine, take U.S. Hwy. 1A northwest to Interstate 395 in Bangor. Go northeast on Interstate 95. At Medway, exit onto and drive northwest on Maine State Route 157. In Millinocket, turn right/north onto Katahdin Avenue then left/northwest onto Bates Street. Outside of town, this street becomes Millinocket Road and several miles later Baxter Park Road. Once in Baxter State Park, turn left/northwest onto Park Tote Road. Park at the Katahdin Stream Campground.

The trail leaves from the campground’s northwest side. It runs through a forest, largely paralleling Katahdin Stream, crossing it a few times along the way.

AT’s northern terminus
Mount Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Hunt Trail is the last segment of the AT to the peak, so despite this being a remote park, you’re likely to run into other hikers with either some great stories or a great adventure planned.

At 1.1 miles, you’ll reach the Owl Trail junction. Continue straight/east on the Hunt Trail.

The forest is quite diverse, including pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, beech, maple, birch and aspen. This supports a variety of wildlife, including black bears, deer and moose, alongside seasonal insects like black flies and mosquitoes during spring. The avian population includes Bicknell’s thrush, various songbirds, and raptors, highlighting the ecological richness of the area.

You’ll reach the Katahdin Stream Bridge at 1.14 miles. Upon crossing the bridge, the trail passes Katahdin Stream Falls. Sime online sources say the waterfalls drop just over 100 feet in four steps, however USGS LiDAR data shows it to actually have a drop of approximately 50 feet in three distinct steps, with drops of roughly 20, 15, and 10 feet respectively.

After the falls, the trail veers away from the stream.

You’ll reach the Gateway, where the path opens up onto the Tableland, a high-altitude plateau, at the 2.5-mile mark. This segment of the trail is characterized by its relatively flat terrain and picturesque scenery, providing a clear view of the ascent that leads to the summit.

Rare life
A rare plant and butterfly coexist in the tablelands.

The pincushion plant is a small, evergreen perennial shrub that forms a cushion-like shape, reaching heights of up to 6 inches. Its oval, leathery leaves are arranged in dense rosettes and can grow up to 0.4 inches long. This plant produces solitary white flowers on stems that can extend to 1.2 inches tall, effectively trapping heat within its dome structure..

The Katahdin Arctic butterfly displays a yellowish-brown hue with semi-translucent wings. Adults measure approximately 2 to 4 inches in size.

At 3.7 miles, you’ll reach the Abol Trail/Baxter Peak Cutoff Trail, the former of which heads south to Thoreau Spring. York Valley is to the north of the Hunt Trail here. The summit of Mount Katahdin should be visible from here on out.

Mount Katahdin, while part of the Appalachian Mountain system, stands apart as a monadnock. This geological feature is an abrupt rise from the surrounding landscape, which is typically flat or gently sloping. A monadnock forms when a resilient rock, such as granite, is exposed due to the erosion of softer surrounding materials, resulting in a prominent elevation.

The origins of Mount Katahdin date to about 400 million years, when an island arc collided with eastern North America. The mountain is further defined by four glacial cirques, which were sculpted into its granite by alpine glaciers during the last ice age. These cirques, located behind moraines and eskers, host several ponds.

You’ll reach the summit at 4.6 miles. The trail ends at the junction with the Saddle Trail/Knife Edge Trail. Thanks to the tundra environment, you’ll have an excellent view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Katahdin means “Great Mountain,” in the language of the Penobscot Native Americans. Some Native Americans believed Katahdin was the home of the storm god Pamola and so was avoided.

Alternate routes
There are a couple of alternate routes to Mount Katahdin’s summit:
• Hamlin Peak Loop – Starting at Roaring Brook Campground, the trail runs 11.3 miles, with an 4,465 foot elevation gain. It also summits Hamlin and Peak, Pamola, Chimney, and South peaks.
• Helon Taylor, Knife Edge, Saddle, and Chimney Pond Trail – Also starting at Roaring Brook Campground, the 9.1-mile loop gains 3,884 feet in elevation. It can be broken into two day trips thanks to the Chimney Pond Campground.