Hello all!
If I were to hike the 100 miles, how close can I plan on camping to Katahdin the day before hiking it?
Also, does anyone know of a shuttle service in Millinocket or a nearby town that would pick me and friends up at whatever trail head we can get to after traversing the Knife’s Edge?
Any input at all on shuttles back to Monson if that’s where we parked our car?
Thanks for any help!
Leki-Less
Try the Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millinocket, very hiker friendly and they provide some shuttles, I think. Check the trail guides for shuttle services in Monson, I’m sure they’re there.
Check with Baxter State Park about camping. Thru hikers stay at The Birches, first come first served and you sign up as you enter the park, but I don’t know how they define thru hiker. I don’t think the HMW counts. Otherwise you probably need reservations, and they do patrol looking for stealthers.
There are no telephones in Baxter, and very limited cell service. I heard some phones get reception at or near the summit, but not all. There’s a cellular pay phone at Abol Bridge, pretty expensive IIRC. So if you set up shuttles ahead of time, you have to stick to schedule. Depending on season and day, there should be no problem yogi’ing ride to Millinocket from Baxter.
Garlic
Actually the BSP states in the AT companion that anyone that hikes at least the HMW can camp at the Birches. Be sure to check this years AT companion just in case that information has changed. Have fun and good luck!
Bacall
So, it’s been 5 years since my hike. I don’t remember how this works. Does signing up mean I definitely have a spot at the Birches? And if the Birches is full, is there somewhere else we can camp so that we don’t have to go from Abol Bridge to Katahdin in one day?
Leki-Less