Hiking Katahdin is a day-long trek. Even if you camp inside the park (with the exception of camping at Chimney Pond). Except we didn't camp in the park so it was an even longer day. You plan for it and are glad when the weather turns out this good.

Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Views from the top of the Saddle Trail where it pitches off the edge and down the slide:

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Two of the Cathedrals are lit by the sun here.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

While taking a break at the top of the slide, I met a group of hikers from South Portland. There were a number of French-speaking Canadians hiking the trails as well.

1. Pamola, 2. the Knife Edge, 3. Baxter Peak, 4. Saddle Trail, 5. Chimney Pond, 6. the Tableland

This is a 9-image panorama assembled with PTGui.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Hikers climbing to the summit on Cathedral Trail.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

A cropped view of the previous picture.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Pamola, the Chimney, and the Knife Edge Trail. Some day I will have to take that route. See all the people? The mountain seemed very busy, but, then again, mostly I have hiked it much earlier in the year.

Cropped close-up views of climbers on Pamola and in the Chimney.

Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Down the Saddle Trail.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

And back to Chimney Pond.

Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected]

The rangers' building at Chimney Pond.

Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Then it was back down the Chimney Pond Trail.

Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Chimney Pond Trail is rough and can be wet at times. Trail builders have laid stone steps in places.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Oh yes, a photo of the summit? Here is an image from 2010.

(c)Ethan McNerney [email protected]

It was another great day in the Maine outdoors. An excellent hike enjoyed by all. Two of our party made it to the summit for the first time. The Nikon D600 often seemed heavy to carry around with two lenses, but the resolution paid off in the cropped shots. Perhaps I will go with something lighter next time?