Mount Katahdin - Northern Terminus Appalachian Trail
Posted by: 
hyperheidi
N 45° 54.269 W 068° 55.312
19T E 506060 N 5083437
Mount Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Waymark Code: WMCPTF
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 09/30/2011
Views: 18
Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine. Named Katahdin by the Penobscot Indians, the term means "The Greatest Mountain". Katahdin is the centerpiece of Baxter State Park: a steep, tall mountain formed from underground magma. The flora and fauna on the mountain are typical of those found in eastern Canada. Katahdin was known to the Native Americans in the region, and was known to Europeans at least since 1689. It has inspired hikes, climbs, paintings, and a piano sonata. The area around the peak was protected by Governor Percival Baxter starting in the 1930s. Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and is located in a stretch known as the Hundred-Mile Wilderness.
In summer, it's peak is the first place in the continental US to receive sunlight. The climb to the peak along the Appalachian Trail is long and steep. Park rangers suggest most hikers should take a flashlight as hikers often can not make it to the peak and back before nightfall. But through hikers, who have already hiked over 2100 miles to get to this point, find the hike a breeze and reach the peak in only a few hours.
While Mount Katahdin is the current northern terminus, a 700 mile trail extension runs north into Canada ending at Cape Gaspe, where the Appalachian mountain range dives into the ocean. There has been some discussion about including this as part of the AT, but it is unknown how likely this is.
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