Hiking map of Baxter State Park and Mt. Katahdin

June 7, 2007 7:35 AM

I'm having trouble finding a decent hiking map of Baxter State Park in Maine, and more specifically the area around Mt. Katahdin. The map on their website is all but useless. I'd like to be able to figure out where the parking lots are and how long and how tough the different trails are. I can't even tell where the peak or the Knife Edge are! I've tried to find books at my local library, but they've all been out. I know there's some decent maps at the visitor center, but it's a 9 hour drive to get there, and I want to plan my hike and figure out which campsite to reserve before I'm on the park grounds.
posted by Plutor to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (20 answers total)

You can order USGS topographical maps online.
posted by handful of rain at 7:53 AM on June 7, 2007

Sorry - meant to add, that would help for planning the hike, at least.
posted by handful of rain at 7:54 AM on June 7, 2007

How long until your trip? Call and ask them to send you a trail map.
posted by mikepop at 7:58 AM on June 7, 2007

Try the LL- Bean store in Freeport, ME, the Web site has no listings for Maps, but I recall seeing them.
posted by Gungho at 8:00 AM on June 7, 2007

Best answer: You can get those maps for free online actually. Check out this page and do a search for Baxter State Park. This is a direct link to a TIFF of the map. I don't know how folksy you want ot get but this guy has a lot of photos of BSP kikes and might have some stuff that's useful to you.
posted by jessamyn at 8:01 AM on June 7, 2007 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Hm, yeah, that's a possibility. (17 days away.)
posted by Plutor at 8:01 AM on June 7, 2007

Their campground maps look usable, at least.
posted by mikepop at 8:02 AM on June 7, 2007

Yes, call Bean (1-800-341-4341). Ask for the "Hiking Hotline". They will have the map you need.

Or, DeLorme might be able to help as well.
posted by anastasiav at 8:04 AM on June 7, 2007 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Holy cow, Jessamyn. That's so excellent.
Why do you normally have to pay to get USGS topo maps of that quality? My tax dollars pay for that!
posted by Plutor at 8:06 AM on June 7, 2007

Two other very useful sites: peakbagger & topozone.
posted by dseaton at 8:15 AM on June 7, 2007

The AMC maps are pretty good, plus they're made out of Tyvek so they're pretty durable.

Pretty much all the trails up Kathadin are tough. The Knife Edge isn't as scary as it sounds, for the most part, the exception being "The Chimney", which requires a very steep 50-foot down climb, and then a climb back up the other side. It's certainly doable by anyone without a fear of heights.

A word of warning: Plan to start your hike EARLY. They have strict quotas in Baxter and they will close roads once the quotas are met.

It's been a few years since I've been there though, so the reservation/quota system may have changed.

Have fun. Baxter is the only place in New England that should be described as "magical."
posted by bondcliff at 8:17 AM on June 7, 2007

Oh yeah, you should be able to find those maps, as well as all the guidebooks you need, at the AMC's bookstore on Joy St. in Beacon Hill. There should also be plenty of folks there that can help you with questions.
posted by bondcliff at 8:20 AM on June 7, 2007

what you may want to do is check out any books on the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. The northern end is Mt. Katahdin. I am sure that would be a great resource.
posted by ShawnString at 8:26 AM on June 7, 2007

You can read more about why these maps costs money but are also free on Jared's ransom page.
posted by jessamyn at 8:28 AM on June 7, 2007

If you have Appalachian Trail clubs or a good hiking store near where you live, you should find guides there.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 8:38 AM on June 7, 2007

Best answer: Suggestion for a manageable 3-day trip:

As bondcliff said, start early. Use your first day of climbing ot get to your hut or campsite. On your second day, start at Chimney pond and take the cathedral or saddle trail to Baxter peak, then go along knife's edge, peak Pomola, and come down back to your site. On your last day, hike back down to your car. Obviously, alter this to fit your schedule.
look here for trail info: http://www.katahdinoutdoors.com/bsp/trails.html
Knife's Edge was intimidating (my group started calling it "Spoon's Handle" to take some of the fear out), but it was doable, and very memorable.
Have fun and make sure to check the weather conditions as often as possible!
posted by rmless at 8:56 AM on June 7, 2007

Response by poster: Ah, thanks for that list, rmless. That and jessamyn's topo maps together will get me exactly what I want.

As for your suggestion, my first thought is something similar (although it's probably only going to be two days of hiking). It's a long drive, so we'll probably stay at Katahdin Stream when we get there in the evening. Day one will be to Baxter Peak, Knife's Edge, Pomola, and down to Chimney Pond. Day two I'm hoping we can manage Hamlin Ridge to Hamlin Peak before heading back to Katahdin Stream via the saddle.
posted by Plutor at 9:31 AM on June 7, 2007

Hiking Katahdin and scrambling along the Knife Edge was one of the most fun trips I've done. Don't let the name freak you out to much, it really isn't that bad.

My group and I managed to peak Katahdin as the sun was rising. A truly awesome experience! If you can manage it, I'd highly recommend getting up there super early to beat the crowds. Seeing the sunrise with your friends and noone else is fantastic.
posted by thebigdeadwaltz at 9:41 AM on June 7, 2007

What a cool coincidence plutor...I am going to Baxter in late July (I get a whole week though) and had just started mucking around for maps over the weekend...you have saved me a bunch of legwork. Enjoy your trip! BTW, will you be fishing?
posted by cyclopz at 10:30 AM on June 7, 2007

Response by poster: No fishing, just backpacking.
posted by Plutor at 7:54 PM on June 7, 2007