Hamlin Ridge Trail

The Hamlin Ridge Trail provides the only direct access to Hamlin Peak.

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Hamlin Ridge Trail Details

The Hamlin Ridge Trail provides the only direct access to Hamlin Peak and provides a much quieter experience than the crowds you'll find on Baxter Peak. During inclement weather, this trail should be avoided since it's a very exposure ridge line trail. From Chimney Pond Campground, descend the Chimney Pond Trail for 0.3 mile until the junction of North Basin Trail. Proceed left and continue until the junction with the Hamlin Peak Trail. After a brief climb through the forest you'll reach open rock. The ascent will now become steep as you proceed up the rugged center ridge of the great basin. Compared to most other high trails on Katahdin, the terrain is a lot less rocky. Once you arrive at the summit, everything pretty much levels out from there. If you wish to make a loop, you can continue to Caribou Spring and the junction with North Peaks and NW Basin Trails, then proceed to Saddle Trail and back to Chimney Pond Campground. Although most people ascend from Chimney Pond, an excellent alternative is to descend Hamlin Ridge Trail from the Northwest Basin Trail (after a Baxter Peak ascent). The views of the North Basin will be in never end as you walk across the ridge line, and you'll likely not see another person on the trail apart for one of the rangers.

Difficulty

High

Distance

1.5 miles

Estimated time

2.5 hours

Region

N/A