Hiking Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness

Home , Baxter State Park, Katahdin Iron Works, Nahmakanta Lake

Hiking Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness

Philip Werner SectionHiker.com About Philip Werner u Appalachian Mountain Club Backpacking Leader u Appalachian Trail Section Hiker u Long Trail Mentor, Green Mountain Club u Trail Maintainer, White Mountains u Hiking blogger at SectionHiker.com

u Appalachian Trail u Monson to Baxter State Park boundary u Extremely beautiful – Mountains – Lakes u Very remote u Resupply is difficult u 7 to 12 day hike

u 4,000 feet of elevation gain in 5 miles u Difficult climb even for an experienced NE hiker

u Monson (Mile 0) u Katahdin Iron Works Logging Road u Jo Mary Road u Mahar Tote Road u The Golden Road (Mile 100) u Notes – Roads are private, owned by lumber companies – Many of these roads are gated – Unpaved and unmarked, very easy to get lost – Frequently washed out by storms – Cell phone reception is marginal

Copyright 2012, SectionHiker.com Very Limited Resupply Options u Privately arranged food drops – Friends bring food drops via logging roads (difficult) – 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures and Outfitters u http://www.100milewilderness.info/ – Float plans can do food drops u Whitehouse Landing via boat – Bunk room, meals, and limited resupply – Mixed reviews from thru-hikers u Nahmakanta Lake Cabins – Expensive resort cabins for a zero day – Possibly hold a food drop u Abol Bridge Store – Mostly beer, made-to-order subs and junk food

Copyright 2012, SectionHiker.com When to Go u Black fly season lasts for most of June u Hiking season is July thru September u Trail is crowded with AT Thru-hikers in August and September u Baxter State Park: No Camping after October 15 u Mt Katahdin is closed after November 1 (winter) Maine State Bird Black Fly

Copyright 2012, SectionHiker.com Walkthrough - South to North u Monson, Maine u Little Wilson Falls u Barren Chairback Range u Gulf Hagas and White Cap Mountain u Lakes Region u The Golden Road u Baxter State Park u Mt Katahdin

Shaw’s Lodging

Deep stream crossing at base of the falls

u White Cap is the highest peak in the Wilderness u Only has an elevation of 3,650 ft. but 15 miles long u Katahdin is 72 miles to the north

u Overlooks Nahmakanta Lake u Mount Katahdin is 36 miles north

Northernmost Lean-to in 100 Mile Wilderness

u Small package store on other side of the bridge u Hiker parking lot under utility tower u Bridge to Baxter State Park, just past the store

u The Birches campsite is open to anyone who hikes through the Wilderness, not just Thru-hikers u There is limited occupancy, so sign up early in the day if busy u Overflow camping is available on a first-come-first-serve basis at Katahdin Stream campground

Copyright 2012, SectionHiker.com Good Backpacking Skills and Experience are Essential u Read a topographic map u Hang a bear bag u Filter or purify your own water u Use a backpacking stove u Stay warm when wet u Good scrambling footwork u Pack lightweight u Take care of your feet when they are wet for days u Accept what the trail throws at you

Copyright 2012, SectionHiker.com Hiking Strategies u End-to-End Hike – Figure 10-12 miles a day with a full pack – Don’t try this unless you’ve done a 4+ day backpacking trip before – Long trips are much harder physically than short trips u Section Hike – Arrange for a pick up part way through – Break the distance into 2 or 3 hikes u Slackpack – Carry a day pack – Arrange for pick ups and lodging every night u Plan a bail out strategy, in advance – Have a phone number you can call for a pick up

u Need to carry a 30- 40 pound pack for 8- 10 hours per day – Gym training won’t cut it – Only way to prepare is to backpack with a full load u There are big mountains on the route – Train in the White Mountains while wearing a backpack – Climbing stairs without wearing a load is pointless

u Shelters are good in heavy rain but can be noisy and crowded u Large groups should camp u Observe shelter etiquette u Bring a lightweight tent or tarp

u Wear trail runners instead of boots u Dress in layers to prevent hypothermia u Dry your gear when the sun comes out u Put your sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack u Sleep in shelters instead of pitching a tent u Be prepared to put on wet clothes in the morning u Take a zero day to wait out high water or rest

u Maine AT Maps #1, #2, #3 u AT Guide

Copyright 2012, SectionHiker.com Packing Food u Figure on 1.75 pounds of food per day u Shoot for 100 calories per ounce u Daily intake – 3 square meals – 2 to 3 snack breaks u Drink 5 liters of water per day u Take as little extra weight as possible!

Copyright 2012, SectionHiker.com Clothing u Hooded rain coat and pants u One pair long underwear top and bottom u One hiking shirt, one pair of pants, one pair of underwear, two pairs of socks u Billed hat u Things to avoid – No cotton or clothing that contains a percentage of cotton u modal u bamboo u hemp – Leather boots – Don’t bring extra clean clothes – they’ll just weigh you down

Copyright 2012, SectionHiker.com Footcare Tips u Wear soft shoes that drain quickly u Allow for plenty of toe space – add ½ size u Feet swell after a few days of hiking u 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

u Treat all of your clothing with permethrin before your hike u Wear long pants when you hike u Check for tick bites at night u Use a bug net over your face u Bring noseeum netting for shelters or camping u Don’t leave DEET at home

Chanterelle Mushroom, 100 Mile Wilderness