Hello Everyone.
I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice on getting from Baxter Park ME to Boston?? I’m going to have to book tickets to Atlanta and returning from Boston. (It’s the cheapest way apparently) How easy/difficult is it? I’ve used Greyhound before so that’s not to much of a problem. How long might it take?? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ross
Ross - London,England
Most often there are people all heading your direction and you can bum a ride down, plan on talking with fellow hikers and you’ll find some new friend that can help out. From Baxter to Boston is about 5-6hrs is the driver doesn’t stop often. We made it from the coast near Freeport to Harrisburg, Pa in 9hrs without stopping for more than gas. You may even get a lift all the way back to Ga. if you can find a hiker heading your way and you split the gas. It works.
Bushwhack
last year a friend of mine got from Baxter Park to Boston the same day he summited by hitchiking and bus riding. Read the last entry of his 2002 trailjournal - his trail name is “el mindless mariachi”.
Basically, he got a ride to Millinocket, hitched via I-95 to Augusta, ME, took a bus to Portland and another bus to Boston, where he arrived around midnight. I think he did it without a lot of pre-planning, so that he wasn’t bound to a schedule or anything.
If you don’t like hitchhiking, there is a decent possiblility that there will be other hikers finishing when you do who will be headed that way. Or trailangels, shuttlers, etc. You will probably work something out as you get closer to the end of the trail. It is very difficult to nail down plans early, and hard to stay on any schedule. If possible, wait to buy that plane ticket back. You can try to use Hotwire.com to buy a ticket at the last minute - one of those services where they pick a return time for you, for a discount.
jitterbug
All this planning lark is new to me. I don’t often plan my hikes at all. I tend to know the starting point and a vague finish. Unfortunatly, the U.S dpt of state requires that i buy a ticket home…before i leave. As you can appreciate, after 9/11 the U.S has stepped up on security. You should see the information i have to give to get the visa!!! I’ll do my usual and play it by ear. Cheers
Ross - London, England
Ross - London,England
If it’s a ticket you need, there is only plane and bus service from that far north (no train north of Portland). It’s about 5-6 hours by Greyhound bus from Bangor, ME to Boston. Schedules can be gotten off the Greyhound site. I don’t think that Greyhound goes that far north, but CYR bus line goes to Medway, http://www.cyrbustours.com/CyrBusLines-Schedule.htm. If I remember, its about a 2.5-3 hours drive from Bangor to Baxter. I would figure 8-9 hours travel time at a minimum. Small plane service is popular in Maine, but this may be expensive and not worth the extra couple of hours. Lots to do in Maine if you get to Katahdin early! As mentioned there are shuttlers on the AT shuttle list that could help you get from Baxter to Millinocket or Medway.
Alligator
Hmmm… I didn’t realize you needed to buy the return ticket ahead. That sucks. Well, I think an average hiker can hike in 5 1/2 months and not feel too rushed - still take zero days, etc. Some go faster, some slower. BUT, maybe give yourself extra time on the plane ticket if you can, and bum around for a while if you finish hiking early. There’s got to be an AYH (HI) hostel in Boston, or some former thru-hiker that will put you up. Or, you can see if one of the AT hostels in Maine will let you stay in exchange for building an outhouse or something. OR, hike part of the IAT if you have extra time! That seems better than feeling rushed if you pick an early return flight.
Jitterbug
Ross–
Both the 2004 Thru-Hiker’s Companion and/or the 2004 Thru-Hiker’s Handbook will provide excellent advice on how to get out of Baxter. Both of these books will be available within a matter of weeks.
The 2003 Companion is available for perusal on line at www.aldha.org
In short, your best bet, as others have said, is to get to either Medway or Bangor, ME.; from there, there’s regular bus service to Boston/Logan Airport, which is where you’ll likely be flying home from.
Baltimore Jack
As it says in the Handbook and the Companion, no problem.
At Katahdin Steam Campground, just ask someone for a ride to Millinocket. The road only goes one way, so anyone leaving Baxter State Park is going that way. It’s easy to catch a ride.
In Millinocket, stay at the Appalachian Inn, clean up, get a good meal and then in the morning, take a cab ride to Medway.
In Medway, catch Cyr Bus lines. It’s express to Bangor. Comfortable bus.
In Bangor, transfer to Trailways. Express bus to Boston. And, again, comfortable bus.
Both buses much more comfortable that a car and just as fast.
Peaks
Dont plan too much into that. Its part of the adventure. I caught a ride from the Katahdin Inn to Portland Maine. From there a train to South Station Boston. But you can catch a bus from Medway to Portland also. From Millinocket to Boston is a long ride by bus Im sure.
Virginian
Millinocket > Medway No bus, taxi is $10 or $12 + tip (.5 hour)
Medway > Bangor* Bus fare $10.50 (1.5 hours)
Bangor > Portland** Bus fare $23 (then bus/taxi to airport)
Bangor > Logan Airport (Boston) Bus fare $38 (4.5 hours)
Portland > Boston Amtrack fare $21 (then subway to Logan)
*one bus a day, 9:30AM leaving from the Irving gas station in Medway.
**2 hours to 4.5 hours, depending on which bus! Book this ticket carefully!
TJ aka Teej
My trip from Baxter to Boston (described above by Jitterbug. Hi Jitterbug!) was great! Summitted in the morning and was at my friend’s apartment in boston that night. It was a fun trip; the hitch to Millinocket was easy (and i saw keith shaw there!); i made a carboard “Boston” sign there, which got me as far as the 'Hound stop in Augusta (it’s in front of a really disreputable bar; another benefit!)
MindlessMariachi