Friday, September 20, 2024

Hiking Maine's Fabled Knife Edge Trail

The Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail

FellowHiking Colleagues and Outdoor Adventurers:

This 30-minute video documentary captures not only our journey to Baxter Peak, the northern terminus of the AT, but also the return hike down the Hunt Trail (the AT) to Katahdin Stream Campground, providing a comprehensive view of our adventure.

I hope you enjoy these moments as much as I did putting them together. Your support and camaraderie have made these experiences truly special.

I suggest you sit your friends and family down, make some popcorn, gather your favorite drink, and watch this Knife Edge documentary.

Be prepared to close your eyes if you are severely afraid of heights.

Here is the 50-second Trailer I developed to promote the half-hour "Hiking the Fabled Knife Edge Trail."

Here is the half-hour film submitted to the Film Festival:

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I present the Fabled Knife Edge Trail of Mount Katahdin, Maine. A 15-hour and 11-mile hike, followed by the trail mapping plan. Five friends and I will take you with us, share the Knife Edge experience, and discuss the planning.

We planned a long day of hiking, only to find a day and evening of climbing. The plan seemed relatively straightforward:

Hike to Baxter Peak, the northern terminus of the 2,162-mile Appalachian Trail (AT).
Cross the fabled 1.1-mile Knife Edge Trail.
Hike five miles on the AT starting at its northern beginning at Baxter Peak.

A footpath by the loosest of definitions, the ridge-jagged Knife Edge can be as narrow as the width of your laptop computer screen with thousand-foot drop-offs on both sides of the ridge. The 1.1-mile Knife Edge Trail in Baxter State Park, Maine, is often described as the most dangerous trail in New England. The crossing was a two-hour scramble, balancing act, crawling, scooting on our butts, while on a peaked rock-strewn ridge stretching from Pamola Peak across Chimney Peak (4902 feet) and South Peak to Baxter Peak (5267 feet) on Mt Katahdin. Baxter Peak is the northern start of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail.

You cannot drive or paddle to reach the Knife Edge Trail. First, it takes a 7-hour uphill hike from Roaring Brook campground to Chimney Peak to get to the beginning of the notorious and legendary Knife Edge Trail. Next, after a two-hour hike described above, you finally arrive at the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Mt Katahdin's Baxter Peak. And remember, what goes up a mountain, must come down. After reaching your Baxter Peak goal via the Knife Edge Trail, you now must hike down five miles on Mt Katahdin's Appalachian Trail in more treacherous ridge terrain for six hours to return to the Katahdin Stream Campground.

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More Detail Videos of Knife Edge, Google Earth Map Route, and Overview of Our Katahdin Trek

Sit back and enjoy - and cringe - as we cross the fabled Knife Edge Trail. Now showing on Bedford Community Television (BCTV) - produced by OutdoorSteve.com
Click here for a narrated Map of our Katahdin Trail Route using Google Earth.
Click here for A Little Stroll Along Katahdin with Dundee and LoonsNest.biz

Below is the time and miles breakdown by trail

Trails	Start	End Total Trip Hrs:Min	Hours Miles	Comments
Roaring Brook Campground to Chimney Pond Campground	Start 6:45 am	9:30 am	2 ¾ hrs 3.3 miles	Chimney Pond Trail easy hike. 4 of us used Tracking Poles. Some nice side trail views.
Chimney Pond Campground to Pamola Peak via Dudley Trail	10 am	1 pm	3 hrs 1.4 miles	After a snack and rest at Chimney Pond Campground, we tied our tracking poles to our packs. The Dudley Trail is a 2,000 elevation gain and a relentless massive granite boulder laden trail nearly straight up requiring our hands for pulling, grabbing rocks and hand holds, our legs for pushing, our arms for lifting our bodies, our feet for pushing and toe holds, and our butts to sliding up and holding our bodies at times. All of us were exhausted. Indeed it was a very trying physical test of our mettle.
Pamola Peak to Chimney Peak/Knife Edge	1:20 pm	2:12 pm	¾ hr	Our descent down the 40 foot drop from Pamola Peak was technical “rock climbing” . We held indentations in the rocks while reaching for footholds. Indeed for this descent we used using hands, arms, body and butt.
Knife Edge to South Peak	2:12	3:00 pm	1 hr .8 miles	A 1.1 mile balancing act along the ridge of the Knife Edge Trail. Prior to this trip I had visions of panicking because of the elevation and 1000 foot drop offs and extremely narrow trail. Truthfully, I had no fear as I crossed this very unique trail.
South Peak to Baxter Peak	3:00	3:50 pm	1 hr .3 miles	This ridge trail went up and down. Just when we got to the top of the trail, it would drop and we would start another descent. Then an ascent followed by another descent. We were close to 7 hours since we left Roaring Brook campground and were tired. At each high ledge we could see Baxter Peak, but could not differentiate the rolling ridge.
Baxter Peak via Hunt Trail through Table Land	4:00 pm	5:15 pm	1 ¼ hr 1.0 miles	Tableland was like a country hike. It was flat and a welcome hike. We passed the famous Henry David Thorough Spring. We had been hiking for near ten hours.
Hunt Trail after TableLand to Katahdin Stream Campground	5:15 pm	10:00 pm	4.5 hrs 4.2 miles	We were now headed down and home, BUT still had 4.2 miles according to the trail sign. The first two miles were a steep down and over rough granite. We did have some technical areas. One section had steel handles in the granite to make the descent from huge ledges a bit easier. Took us two hours just to get below the tree line. At 8:30 pm we put on our headlamps. We used our trekking poles to give us stability through the downward rock strewn path. At 10 pm we reached the ranger check-in station where we signed-on the register that six of us were back. We also met the Park Ranger who had been told by two people who passed us earlier in the dark with headlamps and that we were fine and on our way
TOTAL HOURS	6:45 am	10:00 pm	11 miles 15 hrs!	What a Journey!!!

Knife Edge Trail
We were into our hike for about 6 ½ hrs. of rock strewn, rugged and prolonged steepness on the Dudley trail reaching Pamola Peak, followed by a technical Pamola descent. We ascended Chimney Peak, and the start of the almost mile high Knife Edge Trail. Whew!

The Knife Edge Trail is perhaps the most spectacular trail in New England – and also the most dangerous. It would take us two hours to cross from Chimney Peak to Baxter Peak.

We were advised to avoid the Knife Edge in stormy weather. The exposure to high winds and lightning is extreme. We were warned once we decide to cross the Knife Edge we MUST CONTINUE ON THE TRAIL. There is no safe way to descend off either side of the mountain ridge. Our weather conditions were perfect!

The mile long Knife Edge path stretches across the South Basin’s headwall between Pamola and Baxter Peak. You get a sense of what these six outdoor enthusiasts experienced crossing this unique narrow mile-high ridge with 1,000-foot plus drops on both sides. At a few points the width of the ridge was close to 10-inches. The views, when we dared a birds-eyed glimpse, are magnificent and certainly breathtaking.

Are You Ready for Katahdin?

A very special thanks goes to Linwood and Betty of Loons Nest (http://www.loonsnest.biz/) for their immense help in preparing this trip.

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References

www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/
Bedford Community Television (BCTV): Knife Edge to Baxter Peak at the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail produced by Steve Priest
The Wilderness Map Company, Franconia, NH 03580 (I could find no web site on the map I used titled, Katahdin: Baxter State Park, Maine)
OutdoorSteve Blog Post November 2009: Springer Mountain, Georgia - The Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
http://www.loonsnest.biz/

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"Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends"

Steve’s latest book, Outdoor Play "Fun 4 4 Seasons" is available as an e-Book at Kindle ($3.99) and hard copy at Amazon.com ($11.95)

"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I’ll go Outdoors.”

Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle and hardcopy at Harborside Trading Company, 81 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Wild Goose Country Store, 77 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH, Bookstore at Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Gift Shop, Lebanon, NH, and Village Sports, New London, NH.

For more of Steve’s outdoor guidebooks and documentary videos, visit OutdoorSteve.com and Outdooradventurers.blogspot.com.

Monday, September 2, 2024

Hiking Gulf Hagas Trail - the Grand Canyon of Maine

The Trail Map We Used with MAP POINTS shown.

(This Map is from The Gulf Hagas Area Brochure received at the KI CheckPoint - Get it!!)

The picture and text below are taken from a sign on the Gulf Hagas Trail

Gulf Hagas is a spectacular slate gorge carved by northern Maine's West Branch of the Pleasant River.

The river drops 500 feet along this three-mile stretch bordered by towering rock walls. Loggers who worked in this area in the early 1800’s named the many waterfalls. It is one of the many wonders found along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT), a continuous footpath extending over 2,100 miles from Maine to Georgia.

Our Hikers
Hiking the Gulf Hagas Trail was recommended to us by Linwood “The Loon” Parsons, our Maine Master Guide for more than Thirty years of wilderness paddles and hikes. These Maine wilderness adventures are well documented in Http://www.outdoorsteve.com. “The Loon” could not join us for this Gulf Hagas Trail Hike, but Betty, Loon’s wife and fellow wilderness guide, assistant, planner, and certainly a dear friend, was happy to join us. Betty had hiked the Gulf Hagas Trail many times.
Tim, John, Dundee, Lennie, Joe, and I made a six-hour drive from Massachusetts and New Hampshire to Brownville, Maine where we had reservations for a cabin on Ebeemee Lake in northern Maine.

The Hike

Our seven-person hike began at KI Jo-Mary Checkpoint where we registered as hikers for the Gulf Hagas trail. We then drove to the vehicle parking area near where the Appalachian Trail meets the West Branch of the Pleasant River.

The Loon had suggested that hiking The Gulf Hagas Trail required a second pair of footwear. When I questioned him he said, “The very first steps are to ford the Pleasant River, You can hide your wet sneakers on the other bank (for use when you do the return ford) and don your hiking boots.)”

Fording the Pleasant River

Swiftness & depth are keys to whether to ford. If the river is fast-flowing and above knee level then it is potentially dangerous. If it is above thigh height and moving quickly, it is a good idea to either rethink your crossing point and/or make camp and try again the following day. The Gulf Hagas Area Brochure says “ DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS FORD IN HIGH WATER CONDITIONS. USE THE HAY BROOK ROUTE.

A friend asked, “What was a highlight of your trip?” Given we did not finish all of our planned trip, and the uniqueness of this 150-foot moving water crossing on slippery rocks, which we crossed twice (going and returning). Our group has waded many brooks, with and without full clothing, but the Pleasant River was our first of such distance and cautious physical wariness.

Crossing Pleasant River

Following the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Gulf Hagas Trail.

After successfully crossing the Pleasant River without incident and putting our hiking boots back on, we continued our journey along the Appalachian Trail (AT). About a quarter into the well-trodden forest path, we reached a trail junction.

At this point, let me pause and reflect on the sign we passed: APPALACHIAN TRAIL KATAHDIN-BAXTER PEAK 83.9 MILES.

First, I must admit, I am not a through-hiker of the AT. To those who have completed the entire 2,100 miles, earning the title of "through hiker," I bow to you. I have countless questions and would listen in awe to your stories. However, four of us in our group have hiked to Baxter Peak on Mt Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Not only did we reach Baxter Peak, but we also tackled the infamous 1.1-mile KNIFE EDGE TRAIL, often considered the most dangerous hiking trail in New England. If you're curious about that adventure, I encourage you to read more about our experience on Hiking Maine's Fabled Knife Edge Trail

Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness Trail: Monson to Abol Bridge

Much of the Gulf Hagas Trail we hiked is part of the AT, beginning in Monson, Maine, and ending at Abol Bridge, a critical supply point. The term "100 Mile Wilderness" is a "coined" term to alert hikers of the remoteness and extended length of this AT section, where hikers must be prepared to go without resupply for days.

We continued left, following the white blazes of the AT, and soon passed through a stand of white pine over 150 years old. These magnificent trees were harvested in the 1800’s to become the main masts of sailing ships. A bronze plaque here designates this stand as the “Hermitage,” and all the white pine are now protected. After another mile on the AT, we reach the junction with the Gulf Hagas Trail. (The AT continues northward summiting White Cap mountain in about nine miles). At this junction, we veered left onto the blue-blazed Gulf Hagas loop trail and immediately cross the Gulf Hagas Brook. Choosing the right rocks to step on took some time, but we made it safely across. On the other side, a bronze plaque embedded in a boulder marks the Gulf as part of the National Natural Historic Register. From here, we proceeded left, following Gulf Hagas Brook toward Screw Auger Falls.

The Trail Experience

Unfortunately, we did not finish our planned trail along the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail. Just before reaching Map Point 4, we decided, due to our late hiking start, to backtrack and return to our Pleasant River crossing.

Below is the trip we had planned, as recommended by Loon, our Maine Master Guide, to reach Map Points 4 and 5. At that point, we would decide whether to return or to continue to Map Point 6 and then loop back via the Appalachian Trail Cut-off.

As you follow the trail, remember that the path to your right is the return route for completing the loop. There are many short side trails (marked with double blue blazes) leading to scenic overlooks and waterfalls. Be sure to take them all. Between the lower and middle “Jaws” you'll see a protruding slab of rock that resembles an Indian Head.

About a half mile above Buttermilk Falls you'll encounter a side trail leading off to the right (Map Point 7). Do NOT take this! Continue on the Rim Trail for an additional three-quarters of a mile until you reach the “Head of the Gulf” (Map Point 8). Near this point, you’ll find another trail junction. Bearing left will take you to Moosehead Lake near Beaver Cove, north of Greenville. Bearing right will return you to the AT junction at Gulf Hagas Brook. This return route is much easier and faster than retracing your steps on the Rim Trail.

For anyone attempting this hike, I strongly urge carrying The Gulf Hagas Area Green Brochure shown here for detailed trail descriptions and mile marker viewpoints. The Brochure is found at the KI Checkpoint hut.

A nine-minute video - The Gulf Hagas: The Grand Canyon of Maine

Many Thanks to Linwood and Betty for Our
Twenty Years of Maine Wilderness and Paddling Trips

As General Douglas MacArthur once said, "We will be Back."

References

· 1. Maine Appalachian Trail Club
https://www.matc.org/

· 2. Appalachian Trail Conservancy
https://appalachiantrail.org/

· 3. Hiking Maine’s Fabled Knife Edge Trail https://outdooradventurers.blogspot.com/search?q=knife

· 4. Exploring Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness
Afoot and afloat in Maine’s most beguiling backcountry https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/history/exploring-the-100-mile-wilderness/

5. Remembering Trips to Maine's Allagash Wilderness Waterway

https://outdooradventurers.blogspot.com/2017/04/remembering-trips-to-maines-allagash.html

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"Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends" S. Priest

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Sunday, August 4, 2024

July 2024 Daly Family Get Together - Friends and Family Swim Across Perkins Pond

We had our annual Priest, Daly, and friends get-together. We enjoyed seeing friends and family.

We had many pontoon boat rides around Perkins Pond, all by Captain Tim. In addition, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming were enjoyed.

The below six-minute video has pieces of our annual ritual of swimming across and back Perkins Pond, a one-mile round trip. We had sixteen swimmers this year plus five lifeguards with canoes and kayaks, all filled with life jackets.

To qualify for the fun swim:

A swimmer must feel comfortable with an open water swim. All swimmers are reminded Perkins Pond is not a swimming pool with walls close by. Once you get from ten feet from shore you will be over your head for at least half an hour.
This is not a race. Each swimmer has to have a buddy to keep an eye on, and we will swim in a large group.
We have five lifeguards, each with a canoe or kayak, and they all have at least two lifevests ready if needed.
At any time ask a lifeguard for assistance and we will assist you in one of the boats.
Once across the Pond, and before reaching shore swimmers will turn around and head back to the audience and where the group started.

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"Everyone must do something. I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends" S. Priest

Click this link to SUBSCRIBE to OutdoorSteve's YouTube Channel

Books by OutdoorSteve.com

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Sunday, June 30, 2024

On the evening of June 29, 2024, the town of Sunapee, NH, chose an innovative and eco-friendly way to celebrate the Independence of the United States by hosting a spectacular drone show instead of traditional fireworks. This decision, spearheaded by Keith Rodrigue, aimed to protect the pristine waters of the class 1 Lake Sunapee from contamination. The night sky transformed into a canvas of vibrant patriotic displays, with drones creating intricate animations of the American flag, stars, and other celebratory symbols. The breathtaking visual spectacle was accompanied by a harmonious musical backdrop, offering the community a mesmerizing and environmentally conscious tribute to Independence Day.

The crowd gathered in awe as the drones performed a synchronized dance, illuminating the night with vivid colors and intricate patterns. This modern celebration not only showcased technological prowess but also highlighted the town’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty. Families and friends enjoyed the festivities, marveling at the creativity and precision of the drone choreography. The event was a resounding success, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of patriotism and appreciation for innovative, sustainable celebrations.

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Monday, April 8, 2024

The Thrill of Dragon Boat Racing

During my volunteer work at the Sarasota Invitational Regatta (SIR) at Nathan Benderson Park, I encountered Rickard, a fellow US Army veteran, adorned with a cap bearing the Army insignia. Our shared background quickly led to a conversation about our interests in the SIR, during which Rickard introduced me to the exhilarating world of Dragon Boat racing—a sport I was about to dive into headfirst.

Compelled by my mantra 'Never say I wish I had...,' and despite my extensive background in various paddling sports, I realized I knew nothing about dragon boats. Eager to expand my horizons, I took Rickard up on his offer for a lesson just two days later, embarking on a journey into a new paddling style.

Below, you'll find a 30-second video showcasing a Dragon Boat practice session, expertly captured by NP Paddling Coach, Angela.

Notice there are two types of dragon boats here. One has 20 rowers sitting two to a seat, plus a steerer. The second type has ten rowers, two to a seat, steerer, and a drummer.

This video offers a glimpse into the dynamic world of dragon boat racing.

Can you spot OutdoorSteve in the light purple hat, red life jacket, and sitting on the far side of the closest boat, third-row seat in front of the steerer(be sure to click Full Screen)?

THE HISTORY

( I edited the below from Nicholas Anderson's, "Exploring the History, culture, and evolution behind this dynamic water sport.")

Dragon boat racing, an ancient Chinese tradition, has evolved into a global phenomenon. The sport originates from the heroic tale of Qu Yuan, integrating cultural significance with the thrill of competition. Today, dragon boats, recognized by their distinctive designs and dragon head adornments, symbolize power, honor, and fortune. Despite its ancient roots, dragon boating has seen a resurgence as a competitive sport and team-building activity, thanks in part to the efforts of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) established in 1991 to standardize the sport and foster international competition.

For many years, the sport was a leisurely pastime across the world, used primarily as a team-building exercise for various organizations. It has only been in recent years that national dragon boat federations that race have attempted to coordinate to standardize the sport.

Additionally, they are typically custom-built so that they can be properly fitted with the dragon’s head and other traditional details that adorn the hull. Because of these requirements, dragon boats are difficult to build, making them relatively expensive and difficult to find.

Dragon Boat’s main feature is the distinctive long, vibrantly painted rowboat, ceremoniously adorned with a large dragon’s head when in a race. This well-known iconography of the dragon in Chinese culture is associated with power, honor, and good fortune. These ornately carved wooden heads that sit prominently at the bow.

See the Dragon Head

Embarking on the dragon boat journey not only introduced me to a new realm of paddling but also deepened my appreciation for the sport's rich cultural heritage. As I continue to paddle and compete, I'm reminded of the community and camaraderie that dragon boating fosters, uniting paddlers from diverse backgrounds and ages in pursuit of speed, teamwork, and tradition.

Nathan Benderson Park (NBP)