The Maine Highlands Guidebook The Maine Highlands Guidebook | Page 11

Hiking In Baxter
State Park
STRENUOUS From Roaring Brook, climb to Chimney Pond for reflected
views of Katahdin and a great lunch spot. Turn back here, or head up
the steep and boulder-strewn Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. If you
dare, continue on to Pamola on the Knife Edge Trail, famous for its
steep vertical drops on both sides of an extremely narrow path.
MODERATE Burnt Mountain, near the northern end of Baxter State Park,
is a quiet, forested hike that opens to a small summit with sweeping views
of the North Country’s lakes and mountains. In late summer, snack like
the bears and birds do, and stuff your pockets with wild blueberries.
PHOTO BY
Cait Bourgault
EASY You don’t need to summit Maine’s highest peak to experience
its beauty. A quick 0.8 mile hike from Abol Campground takes you to
Little Abol Falls, with views of Katahdin along the way, culminating in
a 12-foot waterfall that tumbles over pink granite into a small pool.
HER MAJESTY
Katahdin is Maine’s highest mountain with an elevation
of 5,267 feet (1,606 m). Katahdin, meaning “Greatest
Mountain," was named by the Penobscot Indians.
PHOTO BY
Cindy Giovagnoli