Kathadin - Baxter Peak

#100

July 4, 2005

This was it – the journey that we unknowingly began back in 1997 when we started hiking for fun was ending. Sometime in the year 2000 the peak bagging bug bite us, first Bob, and soon after - Geri. On October 11, 2003, we completed our goal of summitting the NH 48 4000 footers and immediately set our sites on completing another list - the Hundred Highest peaks in New England.

Over the last 21 months we have had some wonderful experiences, pushed ourselves beyond what we had thought we could, seen sights that few do, and met many other hikers, including some from the AMC and VFTT websites.

We chose to finish the list on top of Baxter Peak, which many view as the most magnificent peak in New England. By adding Hamlin as part of the hike, it turned out to be one of the harder hikes we have done, but worth every footstep.

We started out on the Hunt Trail (part of the Appalachian Trail) at the Kathadin Stream campground. The trail starts out following a flat path for the first mile before crossing Kathadin Stream, and then starts to become steep at Katahdin Stream Falls. From that point onward, it was a steady, moderate ascent

The trail became more of a scramble just before we hit tree line requiring the use of hands and feet to climb over large boulders and ledges. Here we decide to take a break, and have a snack while waiting for the 4^th in our group to catch up. We made it a point to take frequent breaks for food or water since it was going to be a long day.

Just before tree line we reached another section of ledges that made it seem more like rock climbing than hiking. At one point the only way to continue forward was to climb a crack in a boulder for 10 feet. At another we made use of a single metal rung as a ladder.

Soon we came out on the ridge that we'd seen from the cabin on Daicey Pond where we were staying - a location indicated on maps as the ‘Gateway’. There we found a short, somewhat-level section of trail before climbing steeply over large rocks 700' to the Table Land.

This was a slow-going scramble, but a lot of fun with great views behind us including several of the ponds in the park. We could see Lost Pond, Daicey Pond, Grassy Pond, Elbow Pond, Tracy Pond and Kidney Pond.

After reaching the Table Land we made our way over to Thoreau Spring, but didn’t realize that the spring was 1/4 mile away down the Abol Trail. With the warm temps and lack of clouds decided to filter a couple of liters from a large puddle on top of a rock before taking the Baxter Cut-Off over to the Saddle Trail. As we made our way over to Caribou Spring where we enjoyed the views behind us of the South Basin: Chimney Pond, Pamola Peak and the infamous Knife Edge. Looking down in the basin we could see the campground at Chimney Pond , and the steep trails descending to it.

We soon arrived at Caribou Spring and started up the last .2 mile to the summit of Hamlin Peak. We experienced our first black flies of the day at the summit. Out came the Repel – between that and a strong wind that came up, we managed to enjoy lunch and more wonderful views before heading back down to the Spring to refill our water supply.

We began our trip back across the Saddle to make the final ascent of the day and the completion of our journey for the last 21 months - Baxter Peak, Katahdin. Two miles to go and our journey would be over. The excitement was building. The views were breathtaking. We slowed our pace and talked about what we were about to accomplish – how we got here and who we had to thank.

As we approached the summit, Julie who had been ahead of was stopped 200 feet shy of the peak. She wanted us to lead the way. Around 3 PM on July 4, 2005 under bright blue skys, along with Julie, and Micheal J from VFTT, we joined hands as we approached the summit of Baxter Peak and finished our journey as several others looked on including a young woman starting her own journey to Georgia on the Appalachian Trail.

The past 21 months have been filled with more memories than many people have in a life time. We’ve challenged ourselves in ways we never thought possible. When we met in 1986 we were not aware of the NH48 list, never mind the NEHH. As we learned of these lists we didn’t think they were for us – surely it must take someone well beyond our ability. What we learned was that it is not beyond anyone’s ability once they set their minds to it. As we continued down the path towards our goal we learned a lot about each other, ourselves, the mountains, and made many friends.

This journey is over, but the next one is already underway. We are currently working on completing the Y-Alpine list and the Winter list for the NH48. Hiking has become a part of our lives, and a part of who we are. Being able to enjoy such great fun together week after week makes us one of the luckiest couples around!

July 4, 2005

Bob & Geri Hayes

Mt Katahdin – Baxter Peak