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Summary: A long grueling hike ... we went about 9.6 miles in 10 hours. The Helon (Hee-lon) Taylor trail is a long steep rise. The Knife edge is very rugged in places - the chimney is almost a technical climb. The Baxter peak side of the knife edge is a boulder scramble. The saddle trail has a 1/2 mile section of scree and is also very steep. A tough hike that you should be in shape for. The most difficult and time consuming portions of the hike are exposed and above treeline. Water can be filtered from Chimney pond. See my other Katahdin hikes. DO NOT DO THIS HIKE IF YOU ARE SCARED OF HEIGHTS, OUT OF SHAPE OR NOT GOOD AT CLIMBING. BRING PROPER GEAR. Trailhead: From Millinocket Maine follow the signs to Baxter State Park. At the entrace to Baxter you will have to pay a fee depending on in-state / out-of-state status and how long you will be in the park All overnight use must be made in advance by reservation. Day use is limited and restricted. Gate opens at 6:00 a.m. in the summers months. Access is very restricted in the winter months. From the gatehouse take a right and drive 7 or so miles to the Roaring Brook trailhead. See www.baxterstateparkauthority.com for details (Lat:45.90427 Lon:-68.92278) Trail Guides for Katahdin, Knife Edge via Helon Taylor, Saddle: DeLormes Baxter State Park Map by DeLormes (DeLormes) DeLormes Maine Atlas and Gazetteer by DeLorme (DeLorme) AMC Maine Mountain Guide by Appalachian Mountain Club (Appalachian Mountain Club) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: www.baxterstateparkauthority.com Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jon Willard, who has posted 54 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Still Sore on 8/12/2008 What a hike. Went up Saddle, over the Knife's Edge, and down Helon Taylor. The weather was horrible (Aug 8th - rain/heavy fog/mist, high winds & near zero visibility going across the Edge). The views were non-existent, the wind nearly blew us off the mtn, we were soaked from head to toe, it was about 40 F (if that), and I felt like death warmed over for the last half...wow, what an awesome hike/climb. Every step down Helon was groan-inducing, and the constant need to rock-hound was very fatiguing. The few patches of trail that weren't boulder felt like a foot massage If you're going, plan ahead, wear proper gear, train, and be prepared for bad weather. This isn't for the light of heart. 
Reviewed by Leibo on 7/1/2008 One of the best hikes that I ever did. Very rugged exciting trail with great views.
Reviewed by Ron on 3/18/2008 It was FANTASTIC
Reviewed by Erik on 8/17/2007 I hiked the mountain solo on June 17th of this year. An outstanding trip. Started at Roaring Brook, hiked in via chimney pond. Took Dudley to Pamola, and traversed the Knife Edge on a beautiful clear days. INCREDIBLE views from the summit. The descent became a bit harry though, as the Saddle Trail seemed incredibly overgrown with brush and poorly marked. I actually lost it and followed a creek bed back to chimney pond. My number one tip? Bring plenty of water, and a topographic map! It can help!
Reviewed by DXD on 10/3/2006 Did Helon Taylor trail from Roaring brook campground on 9/28/06. 3 hours to reach Paloma summit. Thick cloud cover and high winds prevented us from doing knife edge. Helon Taylor was fairly easy. Had to stop several times to wait for heart rate to descrease. Cloud cover prevented any good views and a sense of height we were at. Went down Dudley. It was steep at times, it is rough on the knees with the constant pounding and landing on bolders. Had to use both hands for much of the descent. The Poloma caves were worth the extra walking. This is a must see trail! Desended to Chimney Pond camp ground. Explored a little, walked 3.3 mile back to Roaring Br camp in 2 hours, soar feet and soar legs and arms for 4 days after the hike.
Reviewed by Laura on 8/11/2006 Just completed this hike on Wednesday August 9, 2006.. Route we took...Up Roaring Brook to Chimney pond. Straight up Cathedral to Baxter Peak ... across Knife Edge and down Helon Taylor. Going up was a challenge. Going across Knife Edge was amazing. Going down was grueling. We hiked Kathadin Stream to Baxter peak and back last year~ I thought that was a challenge but NOTHING compared to the Helon Taylor trail. The Knife's edge?- I LOVED IT!- what a rush! 
Reviewed by Rigormortis on 9/21/2005 Departed Katahdin Stream Campground via the AT around 7:30 AM September 19, 2005 arrived at crest arount 11:00 AM departed via the Knifes'Edge at 11:30 AM with two hiking poles, a big mistake, could not hold onto the rocks very well with two poles, after crawling most of the one mile across the Edge, climbing the last peak up to Helon Taylor and started my three mile decend into valley below. The entire trip took approx. 10 hours. Oh yes I am 65 years old also.
Reviewed by Stephanie on 9/13/2005 Just completed this hike last Saturday. Route we took...Up Roaring Brook to Chimney pond. Straight up Cathedral to Baxter Peak ... across Knife Edge and down Helon Taylor. Going up was a challenge. Going across Knife Edge was amazing. Going down was grueling. My thighs are still screaming at me after 3 days!!! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Maine Hiking, Maine Trails, Maine Hikes, Penobscot County Hiking, Penobscot County Trails, Penobscot County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||