Date: 2018-08-20
From: Katahdin Stream Campground 

To: Mount Katahdin -Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Mount Katahdin was so named by the Penobscot Indians. "The Greatest Mountain" is the highest in Maine at 5,267 feet and is the centerpiece of Baxter State Park. It is a steep, tall mountain formed from a granite intrusion weathered to the surface. Katahdin¢s Baxter Peak is named after Governor Percival Baxter, who protected the surrounding area in the 1930s. Baxter Peak is the highest point on Mount Katahdin and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Katahdin has inspired hikes, climbs, journal narratives, paintings, and even a piano sonata. Monday, August 20th, 2018 was our time to become one with Katahdin.Which Way and I started our trek from Katahdin Stream Campground at 0730. We checked in at the Ranger Station to register our hike before setting out. Ranger Nick then issued us a plastic permit to hike Katahdin. He wrote the number 451 on it, representing the number of NOBO hikers who have completed an AT hike at Mount Katahdin this year. There are several trails that lead up Mount Katahdin to Baxter Peak. We took the one marked with the White Blazes. The 5.2-mile long Hunt Trail is the longest path up the mountain in both length and time. The Park Authority has given the Hunt Trail the highest classification of ¢10 - very strenuous¢. However, the first mile and a half is not that steep and we passed over several mountain streams and by several waterfalls. It took awhile for the trail to become steep. Shortly after passing by the beautiful Katahdin Stream Falls the trail began to steepen. About a mile further we stopped at O Joy Brook to hydrate up and put the hiking poles away. They would be a hindrance from here as large boulders were now becoming abundant on the trail. This was our warmup exercise for what was coming. We reached treeline a little more than 2 miles from the summit. It was game on from there. The views were also out of this world from this point forward. Soon the trail surface was just boulders the size of cars and houses. These giant rocks were very difficult to traverse. Of course, I was having a blast. I¢m sure Which Way was smiling on the inside, but she had her game face on for most of the ascent. We paused occasionally to take in the view, but continued steadily upward using our biceps and triceps as much as our leg muscles. (Just to pause here, because I¢m sure some of you were wondering how WW was doing with her back. Just two days ago she never thought she would be able to make it up this mountain knowing the pain she was in. But God truly answered all the prayers that went up on her behalf - to Him be the Glory!). Metal bars were mounted to the rocks to assist hikers in some spots. During this section, we were starting to see several hikers who had had enough and were just perched on a boulder waiting for a friend or mate to return. We also passed Dirty Girl headed back down the mountain. The height and steepness were beyond her comfort level.  A little over a mile from the top we pulled ourselves over a few final boulders at the steepest part of the Hunt Trail. The top of this section is referred to as the Gateway. From this point the trail transitions from incredible difficulty and somewhat technical climbing to a flatter and rocky walk along the tablelands. As we approached the Gateway a cloud began forming on the south slope of the mountain. The grey curtain ended generally on a line marked by the trail, ebbing and flowing with the wind. As we walked in and out of the cloud we were reminded one last time that the mountains make the weather. With the steepest ascent behind us, we pulled out our trekking poles for the final approach. Walking over the rocky terrain of tablelands was like being on a different planet. Yet, even in this rugged and weather worn landscape, alpine vegetation finds a way to exist and persist. Come to think about it, so do thru hikers. But it would all soon come to an end.We were full of mixed emotions now as we trudged slowly upward of the final climb and saw that hikers congregating at the summit were now in sight. One more push up and then a turn to the right taking us up the ridge to our FINAL destination! I was feeling so relieved that Which Way was able to make the steep climb and that she was by my side as we drew within 200 yards of the target¢the iconic sign marking the top of Katahdin. Which Way tried without success to FaceTime the kiddos as we completed the final minutes of the trek. So, I pulled out my phone and captured the final steps on a video. I summarized the hike as we drew closer to the sign.A 2,190.9 mile, 178 day, journey through 14 states...passing 165,000 white blazes...with a total elevation change of nearly 1,000,000 feet...through rain, sleet, snow, wind, lightning, bitter cold, hot and humid weather...over, around and through rocks, roots, mud, and streams...hiking 8-12 hours a day...sleepless nights...insatiable appetites...enumerable challenges. I tried my best to respect the trail and embrace whatever it gave me. I quickly learned that it would provide what we needed and came to know that we would be rewarded along the way; rewarded with amazing vistas, wondrous plants and flowers, close-up encounters with wildlife, the company of a wonderful group of hikers, trail magic and the best of humankind. For six months we had the privilege of being immersed in God¢s marvelous creation. We also experienced an amazing outpouring of generosity, kindness and love from family, friends and complete strangers. I cannot say enough about the trail community and the lasting impact it had on us. This certainly includes the kind words and encouragement we received from the readers of this journal. You uplifted and motivated us with your kind words and deeds. I am especially thankful that I was able to walk over 1,000 miles of this sacred trail with my beautiful Which Way. It provided three of the most blissful months in 30 fabulous years of marriage. Even when she could not physically continue by my side, I still considered it our journey. Was it easy? No! Was it worth it? Absolutely! Now standing just a few feet from the marker, we waited our turn as some day hikers posed for pictures. At 1200 sharp, I handed my phone to a stranger who happily continued our video as we scaled the sign, put an arm around each other and hoisted our poles into the air with our free hands. It was officially finished. What a moment! What a journey!Of course, it isn¢t over until it¢s over. We still had to get down this mountain. After a few minutes of celebration and phone calls we started the 5-mile descent. It was recommended that we hike down the north side of the mountain. The very steep Saddle Trail took us to Chimney Pond, where we picked up the Chimney Pond Trail to the Roaring Brook Campground. Just one last challenge, getting a ride 20 miles back to our car. Which Way yogied a ride from a Canadian couple who had just finished a day hike. They agreed to give us a ride about 10 miles to the park entrance. From there we would get another hitch to Katahdin Stream Campground. At the last second the couple said they would just give us a ride to our car. That was about 40 minutes out of their way. The trail continued to provide!We stopped at the River¢s Drive restaurant on the way back to Millenocket. It was a great spot to celebrate our accomplishment. The food was fantastic and the parties to our left and right joined in conversation about our hike. We sat on the patio with a wonderful view of Katahdin. After we ate, we walked to the water and watched the sun set on our dream. And yes, it was our Fairy Tale ending!Peace and Blessings!Next Stepp.s. I will do another post or two later about our trip home (detour along Maine¢s coast) and some post-hike thoughts.Elevation Data:Ascent - 4,175Descent - 25Grade - 15.5Weather:Day - 61 / Mostly SunnyNight - 53 / Partly Cloudy