Region
Most climbed route
Highlights
- Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine.
- Named Katahdin by the Penobscot Indians, the term means "The Greatest Mountain".
- Katahdin is the centerpiece of Baxter State Park, an area around the peak formed by Governor Percival Baxter in the 1930s.
- Katahdin is most famous as being the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, located at the end of a stretch of the trail known as the Hundred-Mile Wilderness.
- It's summit is also the southern terminus of the newer International Appalachian Trail.
- Most famous route to the summit traverses the Knife Edge ridge between Pamola Peak and South Baxter Peak.
- Has 2 main peaks: Baxter Peak is the highest peak of Katahdin. Lower Hamlin Peak is also recognized as a New England 4000 footer.
- At the summer solstice and vernal and autumnal equinoxes, Katahdin is the first place in the United States mainland to receive sunlight in the morning.
Routes
16 climbs • 8.4 mi • 3,886 ft gain • 11 hr 33 min
9 climbs • 9.9 mi • 4,249 ft gain • 5 hr 42 min
Latest climbs
"Took the Abol trail to Baxter peak avec Thack and Ethan. Temps were cold & windy on the ascent & the descent was sunny and warm. Trails were moderately busy on the descent. The fall foliage was unreal. Took 7 heures, I think." — meilijohnson • Oct 13, 2024
"Abol trail on the second to last day of Baxter being open. It was clear and mostly above freezing luckily unlike the day before. There was about an inch of snow on the tablelands but none on the ascent of abol. Was very nice to remember about the mountain" — noahthackeray • Oct 13, 2024
"The weather was a little iffy with such a long exposed hike. But all we got was some clouds and light winds on Knife Edge. We went up Helon Taylor from Roaring Brook Trailhead. Pamola Peak was socked in. A lot of blowing fog around the Chimney. But generally ok across Knife Edge to Baxter Summit. Down Saddle and out Chimney Pond Trail." — Alohabuffy • Sep 6, 2023
"We headed out of Daciey Pond to attempt Katahdin via the Abol Tr. It was windy on the way up. The trail itself was do able, but it was exposed and steep. We eventually reached the Tablelands and slowly reached Baxter Peak. The Abol Tr really zapped us of energy. We then headed off to Hamlin Peak and there was no wind on the way over. We reached Hamlin where 3 of us finished winter lists. I finished my NE67w and NEHHw. We then headed to the Baxter Cut Off and looped around Baxter Peak to reach Abol Tr. There was no wind on the way down and it was sunny and in the mid 40s. It took us a long time to descend to the treeline. We then walked back to Daicy Pond. " — newenglandwarrior • Feb 21, 2023
"After spending the night at Davis Pond, we came up the NW Basin Tr and hit Hamlin Peak first. This completed my 2nd loop of the NE67. Then we went over Baxter Peak. Concern about storm clouds on horizon made us go down Abol Slide Tr, then road walked up to Katahding Stream Campground to our lean-to for the night. " — newenglandwarrior • Aug 4, 2022
"Baxter State Park can be tricky, we were lucky to get a reservation a few weeks in advance. Started from Katahdin Stream Campground early on a really beautiful morning. Such an awesome scramble section for about a mile in the middle, so much fun. After that it was pretty gentle, walking through the tableland was a nice break after scrambling a while. Heard the AT'ers celebrating throughout our approach to summit and could smell them when we got there, hah. Views were incredible, peak autumn foliage in every direction." — jodola • Oct 4, 2021
"Started from roaring brook and started up chimney pond trail, then ascending cathedral trail to baxter peak. Then went down saddle trail, and up the Hamlin peak trail to Hamlin peak. Then descended Hamlin ridge trail and chimney pond trail." — noahthackeray • Aug 25, 2021
"Generally a great weather day for Katahdin summit. No bad weather and pretty clear skies. Negligible winds. It was hot on the Tablelands, but not oppressive. Summited via Hunt trail. This trail is extremely difficult and requires a great deal of physical exertion. The Hunt Spur is steep and basically has a lower large boulder section where the use of iron rungs is needed, and an upper section where the rocks are smaller but require a lot of hand and foot scrambling. However the views of surrounding mountains from the Hunt Spur are absolutely phenomenal. " — Alohabuffy • Aug 10, 2021
"Roaring Brook -> Helon Taylor -> Pamola -> Knife Edge -> Baxter -> Saddle -> Chimney Pond -> Roaring Brook
Noah, Baxter, Charlotte. Kate, Sophie. Michelle, Myah. Ron, Sarah, Aiden, Anthony" — rwthacke • Aug 28, 2020
"Excellent weather, great hike ascending Hamlin Ridge Trail. Have only gone down Hamlin in the past. But loved going up, always fantastic views of both the North and South Basins. On to Baxter Peak and finally down Saddle." — Alohabuffy • Jul 21, 2020
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log climbs on peakery to earn awards:
Peak Badges: Earn a special badge for each unique peak you summit. See all of your badges on your Badges page.
First Ascent Award: Only 1 available per peak. Goes to the first peakery member to log a successful summit of a peak. Snag this award and the peak will forever bear your name.
King of the Mountain Award: Only 1 available per peak. Summit a peak more times than any other member. Beware: this award can be lost!
Summit Steward: Summit a peak at least 5 times to become one of its Summit Stewards. As Steward of a peak, you’re encouraged to keep that peak’s info up-to-date on peakery and spread goodwill on your future climbs up the peak.