Knife-Edge at Katahdin with Ardath

Monday, October 10, 2022 - Last spring Ardath, having moved to Maine a year ago, said that she would really like to hike Knife-Edge up on Katahdin (when she did Baxter Peak with Tad a few years ago, they went up-and-down the west side). Having hiked Knife-Edge myself (read blog here), I thought that sounded great, and something we could do together. The best time would be right after I get back from my Road-Trip, so this summer I made arrangements for Monday, October 10. So Sunday I left Manchester right after lunch, was in Portland 2 hours later, hopped into Ardath's car (free entry to Baxter State Park with Maine plates) and we got up to Millinocket at 6:

In Portland, we switched into Ardath's car, giving me the passenger seat (with the best views):

We pulled into Millinocket just as the sun was going down. Checked into the Appalachian Trail Lodge, put our stuff away, and went up the road for dinner at the Sawmill Bar & Grill:

In the morning, there was a chill in the air:

When we checked-in last night, the guy said that there was ice and snow up on Knife Edge, and that instead of going straight up-and-down, we should go up via Chimney Pond Trail / Saddle Trail, and once up there, determine if we want to deal with Knife Edge:

We got coffee-and-muffins at the Katahdin General Store and headed north:

We stopped for pictures at Lower Togue Pond (looking east) and Upper Togue Pond (looking west):

We reached The Gate at 6:45, and got through at 7. Up the next 8 miles of dirt road to Roaring Brook Campground, park, and off we go hiking at 7:42

It is a beautiful day hiking up alongside Roaring Brook:

We are in the woods on the way up, with only an occasional "Viewpoint":

Going past Basin Ponds at 8:56

20 minutes later we are up at Chimney Pond:

And then we headed up Saddle Trail, with our first taste of snow:

Once you get above the tree-line, the VIEWS ARE GREAT (it also gets a little steep):

We reached the top of the ridge at 11:15

So I said to the guy - "Great, what do you do up here?":

There still is a ways to go to get to Baxter Peak - Just follow Blue Blazes, or Cairns, and walked-on snow:

One foot in front of the other, and we reached Baxter Peak at 12:12

We got down out of the wind and had lunch, and looked at the view (that's Knife Edge over Ardath's shoulder)

Looking east at Pamola Peak, with South Turner Mountain and (a glimpse of) Katahdin Lake in the distance:

Looking back west at the AT hikers coming up:

Once again, can you "find the hikers"?

After lunch, it is time to tackle Knife Edge. Starts out easy enough:

(Sure glad the sun has melted the tops of the rocks).

Ardath is in front, so this is looking back at me:

Looking south, at the United States of America:

Looking north, down at Chimney Pond:

The Blue Blazes keep us company up here - not like there are any "alternate routes":

It is a bit more hairy up here than I remember:

That trail that looks like it "goes around Pamola" is not a valid trail - the Blue Blazes go straight up the back-side of Pamola:

10 minutes later (2:15 PM) we were at the top of Pamola:

WOW - THAT MILE FROM BAXTER TO PAMOLA TOOK 2 HOURS!!!

Looking back at what we did:

Going forward, this IS NOT AN EASY HIKE DOWN:

Cool view looking off to my left (north):

An hour later we were down at the "tree-line":

Down in the woods, the "trail" is still not very good - this is HARD HIKING:

Good job signing-in, and then out at 5:01

Today's hike is 9.65 miles, in 9 hours 23 minutes:

Six years ago, I did Knife Edge - 10.12 miles in 7 hours 12 minutes (read that blog here). It was early August, and sunny and calm up on The Edge, so that might have been the difference.

A nice drive home:

Ardath drove 2 hours to our dinner in Orono, then I drove for an hour, and Ardath took the last hour to Portland. Big hugs, and I got in my car and drove the 2 hours home, getting to bed at midnight. WOW - THANK YOU GOD for this WONDERFUL Adventure!!

Music this trip - going up to Portland:

Led Zeppelin - "Listen to this, Eddie (cd 3-of-3)", 1977 live bootleg album:

Jackson Browne -"The Next Voice You Hear", 1997 greatest hits album:

Monday drive:

Greta Van Fleet - "Anthem of the Peaceful Army", 218 debut album:

great Monday Night Football game:

Led Zeppelin - "Led Zeppelin I", 1969 debut album:

I can't think of a better album to finish this hiking adventure!

Shameless Plug: if you enjoy this blog, you may like my other one about visiting Art Museums and National Parks (and hiking in the Rockies)
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