Date: 2015-09-18
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2

Mount Katahdin. " Man Is Born To Die. His Works Are Short Lived. Buildings Crumble, Monuments Decay, Wealth Vanishes But Katahdin In All Its Glory Forever Shall Remain The Mountain Of The People Of Maine." Quote from P.P. Baxter, the governor of ME from 1921-1924. In 1930 with the purchase of almost 6,000 acres of land including Katahdin, Maine's highest peak at 5,269 ft., he donated the land to the State of Maine with the condition that it be kept forever wild. He continued to buy additional lands and made his final purchase in 1962. Since then, the park has grown to 309,644 acres from additional purchases and land gifts. 75% of the Park is managed as a wildlife sanctuary. And all I saw was a bunny. So that was a quick history lesson for you. I'm avoiding writing about my last day. It is so bittersweet.Summit Day is here. Today is the day I climb Katahdin. The last day in the wilds of Maine. The last day hiking with Advil. The last night in the "Open Road", the camper.We were up at 5am to be at Baxter State Park by 6am when it opens. The park charges per vehicle and only lets 25 cars into the park. Mike had made us a reservation so Mudder could park and hike with Advil and me. If you don't have a reservation "Mainers" get first dibs on the parking spots. We sat in line for quite awhile, not moving. Then finally a horse drawn Amish buggy, with bales of hay (feed?) piled on its top trotted by us going in the opposite direction. Had they been turned away!? I'm assuming that horses aren't allowed into the park, because they don't let hikers bring their dogs, bringing sadness to those thru hikers who hike with their dogs. But all the hikers are aware ahead of time about the rule. I hope the Amish hadn't travelled far before getting turned away! The three of us hiked together and Mudder stopped occasionally to take a video of us to send to Spot of Tea, who hiked with us from Georgia to Hot Springs. Paul, I hope you enjoyed our exclamations as we made our way up to the top of Katahdin. BeeMan, you have to hike Katahdin. It's beautifully rugged.      Started hiking at Katahdin Stream Campground, at 1100' elev. The strenuous hike to the top is a little over 5 miles. Mudder had already hiked up Katahdin in July and it was good he was with us today. There was a spot where he had to pull me up over a boulder and there was a spot where he gave Advil a hand down off a boulder. From Katahdin Stream Campground, the trail paralleled Katahdin Stream, and climbs at a moderate grade through forests and open areas. After passing Katahdin Stream Falls, the trail started the serious climb up over huge granite boulders for the next mile, known as the Hunt Spur, and it was very steep and challenging until I got to the "Gateway." After the Gateway, there is easier hiking up the exposed area called Tableland. It was sunny with just a small wind. I couldn't have had a better day to summit. There is no way to describe the magnificent surroundings and my pictures just don't show the majestic beauty and surrounding range of awesome views. When I reached the top at 5269' around noon, I hugged Advil and the tears started to fall. I was just so happy and overwhelmed. But I quickly composed myself to get the perfect picture standing on the sign marking the northern terminus of the AT. The Doyle Expedition were all here plus maybe another dozen or so people. But it didn't seem crowded and people were very subdued. There has been a lot of bad press lately about hikers partying at the top but it was actually a very quiet and almost a reverent atmosphere as each of us found our own quiet way to reflect. Advil handed Mudder and me a cigar which was our way to celebrate! It was hard to light in the wind and even harder to smoke, but I gave it my best shot. I found a perfect spot, shielded from the wind, to sit, relax, and eat my lunch. Tuna, combos, cookies, and a Diet Coke! Mudder, Advil, and I stayed atop Katahdin for almost two hours. Then we headed down the way we came. At one point on the way down we found a tight little spot between some rocks, right on the trail with just enough brush cover to shield us from the sun, where we sat and took a break. Other hikers joined us and we shared snacks. It was really hot and I had changed into my long pants for the hike down the mountain. I was warned that the granite was really rough and there was a lot of scree. Knowing I would be on my bottom shimmying down over the boulders, the pants were a good call. I kept stopping on the way down, trying to soak in every sight, smell and feeling. It was just overwhelming. When we got to a stream near the end, Mudder was down to his shorts cooling off in the water up to his neck. Advil and I just wanted to be done by now, and it would be dark soon. Mudder needed to swap trucks with the Good Samaritan and we were already an hour past the time we thought we would be done. The guy with Mudder's truck wasn't at the campground so Mudder took us back to the camper at Abol Stream, dropped us off, and went in search of his truck. Advil and I sat at a picnic table set at the edge of the water and toasted our journey with a couple of beers. Then I hit the shower house. I know Mudder was exhausted but still he took us into Millinocket for dinner and Advil had her celebratory lobster. I took one look at those live things in the aquarium and thought, ¢no way¢, plus it's just too much work. Her lobster was HUGE. And so is my gratitude to her for saying 'yes' to me when I said to her the third day of my hike, ¢I don't want to do this alone, will you hike with me?¢ Thank you, Advil.