|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
         
 Reporter |
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 BL on 9/28/2009 bluebeagle4814 at gmail.com 
Reviewed by Mark on 8/15/2009 I just got back from hiking the Helon Taylor Trail. The trail is misnamed. It should be called the Helon Taylor Root and Boulder Climb. The comments about the trail being strenous are all true. If you are looking for a physical challenge this trail is for you. I suggest long pants and gloves for scrambling over the rocks and boulders. The saving grace for me was the outstanding views. I caught a clear August day with no clouds. I started early and got above the treeline and could see forever. Clouds were still in the valleys but the surrounding peaks were all visible. I used to complain about switchbacks on trails but now I am cured of that whining. I will take switchbacks over the boulders any day!
Reviewed by Karen on 7/24/2009 I had read about this climb. I thought everyone that posted comments were whiners. Then I did it. Cathedral, Knife Edge, Helon Taylor, I thought it would be a piece of cake. It wasn't. 10 hours of hard, yet beautiful hiking. Don't miss this climb! It's worth every once of sweat that falls from your brow! The views remarkable! The scrambling, exciting! 
Reviewed by N.S. on 5/7/2009 I did a similar hike late last summer in poor conditions (Helen Taylor to Chimney Peak to Knife Edge to Hunt). It was raining and less than 60 degrees F on Chimney and the Knife Edge. The trail was closed later that morning. There was so much fog, one couldn't see anything except 5-10 ft in front (I probably would have been terrified if I could see). A few times, I thought I wouldn't make it. I've hiked way taller mountains (out West) and trails that are longer and gain more elevation and this was the toughest hike I've ever done. The whole trail is hard with some extreme challenging parts. I did not expect this to be as rugged as it was. It was grueling, exhausting and relentless, but somehow worth it even in those conditions (no vi
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! 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||