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Summit Katahdin with picturesque views, a traverse, and a scramble.


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Map Key

4.9

Miles

8.0

KM

Point to Point

5,239' 1,597 m

High

1,098' 335 m

Low

4,149' 1,265 m

Up

16' 5 m

Down

16%

Avg Grade (9°)

77%

Max Grade (37°)

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

Closed October 16 - May 30 for winter but varies based on weather conditions.

Description

Trailhead Parking lot: Katahdin Stream Campground
Real mileage is 5.2 miles one-way with an elevation gain of 4,188 ft (Not a loop)
Round-trip travel takes about 7 hours depending on how busy the scramble zone is and your travel speed. Plan accordingly to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.

The Hunt Trail is one of the most popular trails to the summit of Katahdin (and the official end of the Appalachian Trail (AT)). This is because of the outstanding features along the trail such as picturesque Katahdin Stream Falls, the Boulders on Hunt Spur, the traverse of the Tableland, and extensive views in all directions, as 2.4 miles of the trail is above the tree line.

As you enter Katahdin Stream Campground, keep left and follow the campsites until you eventually reach the trailhead. As you follow the trail, keep an eye out for blazes and paint on the rocks to guide your way. It is very difficult to get lost on this trail with markings about every 10 feet or so. If you prefer to have a map there is a Ranger Station at the campground selling maps for a small fee or you can use the Hiking Project mobile app.

About halfway through, you'll have class 2-3 scrambling for over a mile. Use caution, as there are sheer drops on either side. At one point early on in the scramble the only way to get above an area is to pull yourself up an iron bar that has been bolted into the rock.

Be prepared for any kind of weather as half the trail offers little protection from gusting winds and rain.

Contacts

Land Manager: Baxter State Park

Shared By:

BT jackson

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 15 votes

#228

Overall
  4.9 from 15 votes
5 Star
93%
4 Star
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Trail Rankings

#8

in Maine

#228

Overall
11 Views Last Month
5,770 Since Aug 29, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
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Photos

Katahdin summit from the Saddle Trail
Apr 23, 2015 near Millino…, ME
The ridge.
Sep 13, 2016 near Millino…, ME
The mist is rolling in.
Apr 2, 2015 near Millino…, ME
The Hunt Trail offers pleasant autumn views toward Baxter Peak on the tableland near Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park, Maine.
Apr 1, 2017 near Millino…, ME
At the summit looking towards the Knife Edge and Pamola.
Mar 27, 2015 near Millino…, ME

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Check-Ins

Oct 12, 2020
Chris Horton
9.8mi
Aug 4, 2018
Devon Calvert
Hiked with Genrich family up Hunt Trail. Extremely technical scrambling. Reached summit of Katahdin. Took Abol trail back down and hitchhiked to car. 9mi
Jul 12, 2018
Matthew Bell
9.8mi
Jul 7, 2018
Daniel Ball
did it on are hunny moon! 9.8mi
May 31, 2018
Emily Rose
Beautiful views, great trail for advanced hikers as there are many steep, long stretches of boulder scrambles.
Jul 10, 2017
Kelsey Jones
Hunt Trail was a fun trail to the top of Katahdin. Lots of nice lookouts of the mountain
Jul 9, 2017
Tyler Neville
Jul 5, 2017
Austin Lynch
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