After failing to complete the last mile up Katahdin on the AT, I am now planning to attack it by another route: Chimney Pond and Saddle Trails over the top of Mt. Katahdin, down the Hunt Trail to the gateway and return. How is the 0.2 mile loose rock section of the Saddle Trail I’ve read about? Has any forum reader done it?
Ambler Rambler
Ambler Rambler
I’ve been up the Saddle Trail. It is supposed to be the easiest trail. Wasn’t too bad. No matter which trail you take up Katahdin, you know, you’re going to be above tree-line.
Are you trying to do it in the winter?
Kineo Kid
I was on the Saddle Trail on Thursday, but I’m afraid I can’t tell you what it looks like without snow. My guess would be it isn’t that difficult. I know the camp I use to work at took campers up that way.
This was my first time at chimney pond, and I loved it!
Leif
Hey A.R. I came down that after summitting in Aug. '02. This was suggested by the Ranger up by Thoreau Springs. 2002, you may remember, was a drought year and the “slide section” was quite dry…so I just traversed it back and forth. If it was wet, it might be much easier to go up than down. One of our party booked on down the way we came and drove around to pick us up at Roaring Brook and then drive us back to Katahdin Stream to our cars. It was still one of the toughest days I’ve ever done…I kept thinking on the way up that I was going to have to come down this…Aack! So I was glad to take the easier way which was exactly the same distance of 5.2 miles.
There was plenty of water to be had from Chimney Pond to Roaring Brook. Also Thoreau Springs was running quite well in spite of the drought. Good Luck. 
Lady Di
Amber - That section of the Saddle changes year by year, but isn’t ever a roadblock - you can do it! You missed the last mile of the AT?? Consider heading up the Abol Slide Trail to pick up where you left off!
Leif - A winter Katahdin summit? Yee Haw! Hope you had a blast.
Lady Di - I climbed to Baxter Peak on a hot day in mid August '02, and was scolded by a young female Ranger for drinking out of the Spring without filtering. Told her I’d rather have a belly ache tomorrow than heat stroke today! 
TJ aka Teej
Thanks for your input. I am ready to go summer 2005 to finish up various sections of Maine to complete the AT. I can’t count the number of times I’ve gone back to areas I failed to complete previously to go at them again. With 2000 miles under my belt, the end is in sight. But do I want it to end?
Ambler Rambler