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Hiking Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness

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Fells Press LLC
Fells Press LLC

Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness is about as close to a true wilderness that you can find in the United States outside of Alaska. The nopr

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Hiking Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness Philip Werner [email_address]
About Philip Werner Hiked 825 miles of the Appalachian Trail Completed the 100 Mile Wilderness in 2011 Long Trail Mentor, Green Mountain Club Climbed the White Mountain 4000 footers Trail Maintainer, White Mountains Hiking blogger at SectionHiker.com
What You’ll Learn The 100 Mile Wilderness Mt Katahdin and Baxter State Park Hiking the Maine Appalachian Trail What to expect Planning a hike Getting prepared Q & A
The 100 Mile Wilderness Appalachian Trail Monson to Baxter State Park boundary Extremely beautiful Mountains Lakes Very remote Resupply is difficult 8 to 12 day hike
Climbing Mount Katahdin 4,000 feet of elevation gain in 5 miles Difficult climb even for an experienced peakbagger Peak is closed on bad weather days – check 7 a.m. ranger forecast
Why Hike the 100 Mile Wilderness Arguably the hardest section of the Appalachian Trail Challenging long distance hike Physical and mental challenge Celebrate a personal milestone Great family bonding experience
Close to True Wilderness
Intermediate Access Points Monson (115 miles) Katahdin Iron Works Logging Road (78) miles) Jo Mary Road (56 miles) Mahar Tote Road (46 miles) The Golden Road (15 miles) Baxter SP Tote Road (5 miles) Notes All mileages based on distance to Mt Katahdin Summit Many of these roads are gated Unpaved and unmarked, very easy to get lost Frequently washed out by storms Cell phone reception is virtually non-existent
Very Limited Resupply Options Privately arranged food drops Friends bring food drops via logging roads (difficult) 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures and Outfitters http://www.100milewilderness.info/ Float plans can do food drops Whitehouse Landing via boat Bunk room, meals, and limited resupply Mixed reviews from thru-hikers Nahmakanta Lake Cabins Expensive resort cabins for a zero day Possibly hold a food drop Abol Bridge Store Mostly beer, made-to-order subs and junk food
Maine Appalachian Trail Maine is considered the hardest state on the trail by thru-hikers (267 miles) Southern two thirds are very mountainous Weather is unpredictable Few bridges, so you must ford streams Lightning danger on open summits Thick woods and tricky footing
Fording Streams Wait out high water Undo hip belt on pack in case you fall Scout a good location Wear shoes or sandals Trekking poles are very helpful
Thunderstorm and Lightning Danger Cumulonimbus clouds spell trouble Anvil shape Big and tall Darkness Heavy rain, hail, and lightning Learn to predict the weather from clouds. Get below treeline if you hear thunder or see lightning. Get an early start in the morning to avoid afternoon storms. Wet ground and tree roots can conduct current. Lie on your backpack or on top of a flat rock perched above another rock.
Thick Woods and Tricky Footing
South to North Monson, Maine (mile 115) Little Wilson Falls Barren Chairback Range Gulf Hagas and White Cap Mountain Lakes Region The Golden Road (mile 15) Baxter State Park Mt Katahdin (mile 0)
Monson, Maine Shaw’s Lodging
Monson Hardware Friday Night Jam
Little Wilson Falls Deep stream crossing at base of the falls
Barren Chairback Range
Barren Chairback Range
White Cap Mountain
White Cap Mountain White Cap is the highest peak in the Wilderness Only has an elevation of 3,650 ft. but 15 miles long Katahdin is 72 miles to the north
Lake Nahmakanta
Wadleigh Shelter and Campsite Water source is stream in front of lean-to Campsite is small and rather poor Better camping about 100 yards northbound on AT
Nesuntabunt Mountain Overlooks Nahmakanta Lake Mount Katahdin is 36 miles north
Crescent Pond
Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Rainbow Lake
Hurd Lean-to Northernmost Lean-to in 100 Mile Wilderness
The Golden Road 100 Mile Wilderness ends at The Golden Road, a private logging company road 24 miles away from Millinocket 15 miles south of Mount Katahdin
Abol Bridge Small package store on other side of the bridge Hiker parking lot under utility tower Bridge to Baxter State Park, just past the store
Baxter State Park Boundary The Birches campsite is open to anyone who hikes through the Wilderness, not just Thru-hikers There is limited occupancy, so sign up early in the day if busy Overflow camping is available on a first-come-first-serve basis at Katahdin Stream campground
Daicey Pond, Baxter State Park
Mount Katahdin Elevation Profile
The Hunt Trail, Mount Katahdin
The Gateway
The Tableland
Mount Katahdin
Maps and Guides Maine AT Maps #1, #2, #3 Maine Appalachian Trail Guide
Thru-hike or Section Hike Thru-hikes take an average of 10 days 8 days in the 100 Mile Wilderness 2 days in Baxter State Park, with a rest day Break the hike into separate sections over multiple years Pay for a logging road shuttle Flying boat pickup Yoyo Hike north and back Hike south and back Hike solo or with a partner Meet lots of likeminded people and thru-hikers
Hiking Season Black fly season lasts for most of June Hiking season is July thru September Watch out for thunderstorms in July and August Trail is crowded with AT Thru-hikers in August and September Katahdin is closed after October 15 Maine State Bird Black Fly
Good Backpacking Skills are Essential Read a topographic map Hang a bear bag Filter or purify your own water Ford rivers and streams Use a backpacking stove Stay warm when wet Good scrambling footwork Pack lightweight Take care of your feet when they are wet for days Predict the weather using clouds Accept what the trail throws at you
Coping with the Rain Wear trail runners instead of boots Dress in layers to prevent hypothermia Dry your gear when the sun comes out Put your sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack Sleep in shelters instead of pitching a tent Be prepared to put on wet clothes in the morning Take a zero day to wait out high water
Packing Food Figure on 1.75 pounds of food per day Shoot for 100 calories per ounce Daily intake 3 square meals 2 to 3 snack breaks Drink 5 liters of water per day Take as little extra weight as possible!
Clothing Hooded rain coat and pants One pair long underwear top and bottom One hiking shirt, one pair of pants, one pair of underwear, two pairs of socks Billed hat Things to avoid No cotton or clothing that contains a percentage of cotton modal bamboo hemp Leather boots Don’t bring extra clean clothes – they’ll just weigh you down
Footcare Tips Wear soft shoes that drain quickly Allow for plenty of toe space For wet feet Use duct tape on hot spots before you get blisters Duct tape sticks better than bandages when wet Don’t pop blisters if you can avoid it Inov-8 Terroc 330s
Stay Clean and Leave No trace Use Purell on your hands before and after filtering water, after the bathroom, and before eating Don’t bathe in streams Use a wet towel to rub sweat off your face and wash your feet at night Pour grey water into a hole 200 feet away from lakes or streams Rinse out your base layer every few days Wash a pair of socks every night
Mosquitoes, Black Flies, and Ticks Treat all of your clothing with permethrin before your hike Wear long pants when you hike Check for tick bites at night Use a bug net over your face Bring noseeum netting for shelters or camping Don’t leave DEET at home
Questions? Chanterelle Mushroom, 100 Mile Wilderness

More Related Content

Hiking Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness

  • 1. Hiking Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness Philip Werner [email_address]
  • 2. About Philip Werner Hiked 825 miles of the Appalachian Trail Completed the 100 Mile Wilderness in 2011 Long Trail Mentor, Green Mountain Club Climbed the White Mountain 4000 footers Trail Maintainer, White Mountains Hiking blogger at SectionHiker.com
  • 3. What You’ll Learn The 100 Mile Wilderness Mt Katahdin and Baxter State Park Hiking the Maine Appalachian Trail What to expect Planning a hike Getting prepared Q & A
  • 4. The 100 Mile Wilderness Appalachian Trail Monson to Baxter State Park boundary Extremely beautiful Mountains Lakes Very remote Resupply is difficult 8 to 12 day hike
  • 5. Climbing Mount Katahdin 4,000 feet of elevation gain in 5 miles Difficult climb even for an experienced peakbagger Peak is closed on bad weather days – check 7 a.m. ranger forecast
  • 6. Why Hike the 100 Mile Wilderness Arguably the hardest section of the Appalachian Trail Challenging long distance hike Physical and mental challenge Celebrate a personal milestone Great family bonding experience
  • 7. Close to True Wilderness
  • 8. Intermediate Access Points Monson (115 miles) Katahdin Iron Works Logging Road (78) miles) Jo Mary Road (56 miles) Mahar Tote Road (46 miles) The Golden Road (15 miles) Baxter SP Tote Road (5 miles) Notes All mileages based on distance to Mt Katahdin Summit Many of these roads are gated Unpaved and unmarked, very easy to get lost Frequently washed out by storms Cell phone reception is virtually non-existent
  • 9. Very Limited Resupply Options Privately arranged food drops Friends bring food drops via logging roads (difficult) 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures and Outfitters http://www.100milewilderness.info/ Float plans can do food drops Whitehouse Landing via boat Bunk room, meals, and limited resupply Mixed reviews from thru-hikers Nahmakanta Lake Cabins Expensive resort cabins for a zero day Possibly hold a food drop Abol Bridge Store Mostly beer, made-to-order subs and junk food
  • 10. Maine Appalachian Trail Maine is considered the hardest state on the trail by thru-hikers (267 miles) Southern two thirds are very mountainous Weather is unpredictable Few bridges, so you must ford streams Lightning danger on open summits Thick woods and tricky footing
  • 11. Fording Streams Wait out high water Undo hip belt on pack in case you fall Scout a good location Wear shoes or sandals Trekking poles are very helpful
  • 12. Thunderstorm and Lightning Danger Cumulonimbus clouds spell trouble Anvil shape Big and tall Darkness Heavy rain, hail, and lightning Learn to predict the weather from clouds. Get below treeline if you hear thunder or see lightning. Get an early start in the morning to avoid afternoon storms. Wet ground and tree roots can conduct current. Lie on your backpack or on top of a flat rock perched above another rock.
  • 13. Thick Woods and Tricky Footing
  • 14. South to North Monson, Maine (mile 115) Little Wilson Falls Barren Chairback Range Gulf Hagas and White Cap Mountain Lakes Region The Golden Road (mile 15) Baxter State Park Mt Katahdin (mile 0)
  • 17. Little Wilson Falls Deep stream crossing at base of the falls
  • 21. White Cap Mountain White Cap is the highest peak in the Wilderness Only has an elevation of 3,650 ft. but 15 miles long Katahdin is 72 miles to the north
  • 23. Wadleigh Shelter and Campsite Water source is stream in front of lean-to Campsite is small and rather poor Better camping about 100 yards northbound on AT
  • 24. Nesuntabunt Mountain Overlooks Nahmakanta Lake Mount Katahdin is 36 miles north
  • 28. Hurd Lean-to Northernmost Lean-to in 100 Mile Wilderness
  • 29. The Golden Road 100 Mile Wilderness ends at The Golden Road, a private logging company road 24 miles away from Millinocket 15 miles south of Mount Katahdin
  • 30. Abol Bridge Small package store on other side of the bridge Hiker parking lot under utility tower Bridge to Baxter State Park, just past the store
  • 31. Baxter State Park Boundary The Birches campsite is open to anyone who hikes through the Wilderness, not just Thru-hikers There is limited occupancy, so sign up early in the day if busy Overflow camping is available on a first-come-first-serve basis at Katahdin Stream campground
  • 32. Daicey Pond, Baxter State Park
  • 34. The Hunt Trail, Mount Katahdin
  • 38. Maps and Guides Maine AT Maps #1, #2, #3 Maine Appalachian Trail Guide
  • 39. Thru-hike or Section Hike Thru-hikes take an average of 10 days 8 days in the 100 Mile Wilderness 2 days in Baxter State Park, with a rest day Break the hike into separate sections over multiple years Pay for a logging road shuttle Flying boat pickup Yoyo Hike north and back Hike south and back Hike solo or with a partner Meet lots of likeminded people and thru-hikers
  • 40. Hiking Season Black fly season lasts for most of June Hiking season is July thru September Watch out for thunderstorms in July and August Trail is crowded with AT Thru-hikers in August and September Katahdin is closed after October 15 Maine State Bird Black Fly
  • 41. Good Backpacking Skills are Essential Read a topographic map Hang a bear bag Filter or purify your own water Ford rivers and streams Use a backpacking stove Stay warm when wet Good scrambling footwork Pack lightweight Take care of your feet when they are wet for days Predict the weather using clouds Accept what the trail throws at you
  • 42. Coping with the Rain Wear trail runners instead of boots Dress in layers to prevent hypothermia Dry your gear when the sun comes out Put your sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack Sleep in shelters instead of pitching a tent Be prepared to put on wet clothes in the morning Take a zero day to wait out high water
  • 43. Packing Food Figure on 1.75 pounds of food per day Shoot for 100 calories per ounce Daily intake 3 square meals 2 to 3 snack breaks Drink 5 liters of water per day Take as little extra weight as possible!
  • 44. Clothing Hooded rain coat and pants One pair long underwear top and bottom One hiking shirt, one pair of pants, one pair of underwear, two pairs of socks Billed hat Things to avoid No cotton or clothing that contains a percentage of cotton modal bamboo hemp Leather boots Don’t bring extra clean clothes – they’ll just weigh you down
  • 45. Footcare Tips Wear soft shoes that drain quickly Allow for plenty of toe space For wet feet Use duct tape on hot spots before you get blisters Duct tape sticks better than bandages when wet Don’t pop blisters if you can avoid it Inov-8 Terroc 330s
  • 46. Stay Clean and Leave No trace Use Purell on your hands before and after filtering water, after the bathroom, and before eating Don’t bathe in streams Use a wet towel to rub sweat off your face and wash your feet at night Pour grey water into a hole 200 feet away from lakes or streams Rinse out your base layer every few days Wash a pair of socks every night
  • 47. Mosquitoes, Black Flies, and Ticks Treat all of your clothing with permethrin before your hike Wear long pants when you hike Check for tick bites at night Use a bug net over your face Bring noseeum netting for shelters or camping Don’t leave DEET at home
  • 48. Questions? Chanterelle Mushroom, 100 Mile Wilderness