3.2 Miles to Pamola Peak, elevation 4,902 feet
2-3 hours (one way, up)
Difficulty: Weekend Warriors
On nearly any other mountain in the Northeast, the Helon Taylor trail would be a destination hike unto itself. On Katahdin, however, it’s often relegated in discussion to “the most direct route to the Knife Edge,” but this is no ho-hum hike. The mostly exposed ascent of Pamola’s rocky spine with views for miles is truly remarkable—not to mention exhausting. Here’s to enjoying the commute!
The hike begins at Roaring Brook Campground with a quick 0.1 mile jaunt up the easy going Chimney Pond Trail. The Helon Taylor Trail, named after a celebrated former Baxter State Park supervisor, begins it’s 3.1 mile trek on the left with a moderate climb up a path entwined with rocks and roots.
The rocks get bigger as the trail approaches treeline, a few of which require scrambling and possibly hopping.
Exiting the trees begins the ascent up Keep Ridge, where most of the Helon Taylor Trail’s 3,413 feet of elevation gain is earned. Looking up, Keep Ridge appears as one long, steep staircase into the clouds that makes the gym’s stairmaster seem like a tricycle with training wheels. Once onto the ridge there’s no cover, nor any place to seek shelter, so make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water, all weather gear, and sun protection. Steer clear of this hike during inclement weather.
The Helon Taylor Trail tops-out at Pamola Peak (elevation 4,902 feet) at the junction with the Dudley and Knife Edge trails, the latter of which gets our vote for the most spectacular trail in the Northeast. If you’ve got your brave hiking boots on, and Pamola, Katahdin’s deity feared for her fickle territorialism, is playing nice with the weather, continue across the Knife Edge to reach Baxter Peak, Maine’s highest point (elevation 5,267 feet).
Directions
Follow Baxter State Park’s directions to the Togue Pond Gatehouse. Veer right after the gatehouse and follow signs to Roaring Brook Campground, which is also the main parking area for Chimney Pond Campground. Those staying at Chimney Pond have a 3.3-mile hike to the campground.
There’s no way to get down from Helon Taylor Trail without doing the Knife Edge or Dudley? There’s no easy on the knees way down? Can one go up Helon Taylor and return down the same trail or would that be too difficult?
It’s Katahdin, with tons of rocks and steep elevation gains, so any route will be felt in the knees if you are prone to knee issues. The Saddle Trail is considered the “easiest” trail, but from Helon Taylor you have to cross the Knife Edge to get there. If you go up Helon Taylor, returning via that trail or the Dudley Trail are the only options without braving the Knife Edge. Helon Taylor is a trail you could use trekking poles on to take pressure off your knees. Just pack the poles away if you try going though the Knife Edge chimney. Good luck!
I such as the useful info you offer inside of your content.I will bookmark your weblog and examine all over again right here often.I am relatively guaranteed I’ll gain knowledge of a lot of recent stuff appropriate listed here! Decent luck to the following!
Thanks for taking the time to post. It’s lifted the level of debate
… 2/26/2007 2:45 odp.4. StydÃm se za ÄlovÄ›ka, který nemá vyÅ™eÅ¡ený svůj vlastnà život. Dává tÃm najevo opovrženà lidmi, pro které sluÅ¡nost, morálka, vÄ›rnost, pravdomluvnost nejsou prázdné pojmy.Promiňte ale nikde tu nemohu takový pÅ™ÃspÄ›vek najÃt. Na koho reagujete?
Jacqlyn Smith,I believe you are correct.If they had to cough up the Kenyan birth certificate, Obama would go to prison.That would definitely be an embarrassment to Mr.Obama, his family, and the fourth of the Nation that voted him into office.
Ah, si eu ma plangeam ca ma bat aproape toate incaltarile. Se pare ca se poate mai rau 🙁 Incerc sa-mi iau tenisi/sandale din panza, parca se adapteaza mai usor formei piciorului meu. Adela, ai incercat sa-ti faci pantofi pe comanda? Ca sa fie exact marimea ta. Eu am unii pentru dans, nu m-au batut deloc deloc. Singura problema e atunci cand stau mai mult cu ei si mi se umfla picioarele, atunci ma cam strang. Dar cred ca o sa se "muleze" intr-un final.
I am sooo disappointed with the changes of letting Eric Wilson and Jacqueline London go. I have been hoping and praying that they would come back. I loved my morning news and looked forward to waking up to both Erik and Eric. There is no way that I would ever believe that this is what the viewers wanted is to get rid of two great people . I am with the viewers that will be looking at other news channels now. And if channel 6 really wants to get rid of someone, please get rid of Ping! This guy is very annoying and should not be on TV, much less the daily news!
Did the Helon Taylor Trail last year and the trail up was rugged but this is my 61 year old body talking. We also descended by the same route which I didn’t find terribly difficult and the rock formations (which I didn’t notice on the way up) were spectacular. The toughest part was the texture of the rocks. My legs looked pretty beat up at the end. All said the hike was totally worth it. I’ve seen Knife’s Edge from Baxter Peak so this was a way different perspective and it was worth the trip.