Rather than eat our lunch at the summit, with its increasing crowds, we decided to hike a ways along the scenic knife edge. This we did, tiringly negotiating the large boulders that dominate the western reaches of the ridge. There were a million strange bugs around too (along with the usual assortement of June black flies and mosquitoes). Some bugs stank when touched, too! eww!
Caroline and the South Basin
I canna' hold him any longer, cap'n!
We headed off not long after noon, hoping to get down in a reasonable time so that we could make some use of the rest of the day to drive back west a ways. I wanted to climb another peak the next day and still have time to make it back to Ottawa at a reasonable hour.
The way down the Abol trail was unremittingly steep and tiring, but it did make for a relatively quick descent. Before parting at the trailhead, we exchanged addresses with Mike and Cath; we had all become fast friends with them, and they were thinking of visiting Canada in the next few days. We all invited them to visit and stay if they so desired. Thanks again, Mike and Cath, for hiking with us!
Interactive Trackmap & Photo Points - Katahdin Climb - click map to expand
Hike Data Summary - Katahdin via Abol Trail
Start Time:
6:44a.m.
End Time:
3:16p.m.
Duration:
8h31m
Distance:
12.47 km
(7.75 mi)
Average Speed:
1.5 km/hr
(0.9 mph)
Start Elevation:
1257ft
(383m)
*
Max Elevation:
5277ft
(1608m)
*
Min Elevation:
1257ft
(383m)
*
End Elevation:
1369ft
(417m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
4235ft
(1291m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
4120ft
(1256m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
Abol Trail - Elevation profile over distance
Abol Trail - Elevation profile over time
Abol Trail - Annotated Topographic Map
