Thoreau Spring Loop via Hunt Trail
10.7 mi
Distance
5 hrs 1 min
Time
terrain
4,157 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult loop trail to Thoreau Spring in Baxter State Park.
This trail goes by The Gateway, Baxter Peak, Appalachian National Scenic Trailhead, Abol Campground, and Appalachian Trailhead.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
This is a challenging, strenuous hike for the average person, and you need to be prepared for climbing and scrambling over rocks, for decreasing temperatures as you get above the tree line, and the possibility of cold, foul weather on the top of the mountain. We climbed the route up the Hunt Trail on an early September day, and while the beginning of the hike was warm, once we got to the top the wind was fierce (c. 30-40mph) and clouds were being pushed up over the mountain limiting sun. We were prepared with long pants, fleece jackets and raincoats for windbreakers, but other hikers were dressed inadequately in shorts, and were cold. Make sure you have 2L of water for a cool day, more for a hot day, and adequate food, as well as a first aid kit, pocket knife and flashlights. No cell reception for Verizon or AT&T were to be had at any point of the trails. You likely cannot call for help with a regular cell phone. Climbing Down Abol is also strenuous and needs to be done with care to avoid injury. Last 2 miles along the road are easy, but you are likely to be tired. Watch out for crazy drivers ignoring the park speed limits.
Nice views of the Owl and Katahdin Stream Falls on the way up. Views from Baxter Peak were fabulous: amazing lenticular clouds and sheer rocky cliffs and jagged boulders, but the alpine tundra of the Tablelands around Thoreau Spring is beautiful in its own austere way.
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Public Tracks
Katahdin up Hunt Trail, return Abol & Tote Road
This is a challenging, strenuous hike for the average person, and you need to be prepared for climbing and scrambling over rocks, for decreasing temperatures as you get above the tree line, and the possibility of cold, foul weather on the top of the mountain. We climbed the route up the Hunt Trail on an early September day, and while the beginning of the hike was warm, once we got to the top the wind was fierce (c. 30-40mph) and clouds were being pushed up over the mountain limiting sun. We were prepared with long pants, fleece jackets and raincoats for windbreakers, but other hikers were dressed inadequately in shorts, and were cold. Make sure you have 2L of water for a cool day, more for a hot day, and adequate food, as well as a first aid kit, pocket knife and flashlights. No cell reception for Verizon or AT&T were to be had at any point of the trails. You likely cannot call for help with a regular cell phone. Climbing Down Abol is also strenuous and needs to be done with care to avoid injury. Last 2 miles along the road are easy, but you are likely to be tired. Watch out for crazy drivers ignoring the park speed limits.
Nice views of the Owl and Katahdin Stream Falls on the way up. Views from Baxter Peak were fabulous: amazing lenticular clouds and sheer rocky cliffs and jagged boulders, but the alpine tundra of the Tablelands around Thoreau Spring is beautiful in its own austere way.
