On Friday and Saturday the Baxter Bash crew was down to just four people - Lori, Bernie Nat and me. Bernie and Lori both decided to join us for the hike. Bernie had met Julie and Lori on Pamola on Monday and hiked down with them and then became our adopted Baxter Bash member for the rest of the week (and hopefully in future years). We were glad that he was going to get another shot at the mountain after getting turned back by the winds on Monday. We got an early start again and were on the trail by 7am. Our plan was to head up to Chimney Pond and then up the Saddle Trail, over to Hamlin and down Hamlin Ridge.
Heading for Hamlin
About half way up to Chimney Pond we took the short spur out to the viewpoint and got our first look at what was ahead for the day. The moon was setting over the mountain and it couldn't possibly have been a more perfect morning.
Moon setting over Katahdin
North Basin
Moon over Hamlin
Nat looking at where we're heading
I think she's looking forward to this
Me too!
Boulder field along Chimney Pond trail
Almost to Chimney Pond
Chimney Pond
The Great Basin
Cave below Hamlin Peak
Bernie at Chimney Pond
Aerosmith is playing in my head. "I'm back in the..."
Heading up the Saddle
Time to top up the water
Top of the Saddle ahead
Beginning of the slide
Pamola and the Chimney
Nat on Saddle Slide
Meadowsweet
This was harder going down last time. Pretty easy in this direction
Bernie and Lori
Nat saying "what's taking you so long?"
The Knife Edge appearing
Nat at the top of the Saddle
Hamlin ahead
Baxter Peak and the Knife Edge beyond
Bernie and Lori hit the top of the Saddle
I'm enjoying the day - and the best is still to come!
Heading for Hamlin. What a beautiful walk!!
Nat looking out to the Brothers
Nat pointing to where we were a couple of days ago - Coe and the Brothers
Nat and Lori
Labrador Tea
Beautiful path
Final way up the rockpile
Nat and Bernie near the top
Volunteer SAR team
Three-Toothed Cinquefoil
Nat waiting for me just before the summit
I'm coming, I'm coming...
Nat on Hamlin (NE67 #63)
Me on Hamlin (NE67 #62)
Howe Peaks in the background. We'll visit there another day
Bernie on Hamlin
Lori setting up the group shot
Nat and I on Hamlin
Looks like ants crawling on Baxter Peak. Glad we're over here
Pamola
Pamola and the Chimney
The Knife Edge
The gang hanging out on Hamlin
Three-Toothed Cinquefoil
Mountain Cranberry
Time to go...
North Basin from the top of Hamlin Ridge. Wow!
South Turner and Katahdin Lake over North Basin
On top of the world!
Nat's lovin' the day!
Getting ready to take flight
Liftoff!
Lori takes her turn
Bernie on Hamlin Ridge
A crow? I thought there'd be ravens up here
Heading over the edge
Bernie
The Mountain
Hamlin Ridge appears - amazing!
Basin Ponds below Hamlin Ridge
Chimney Pond and the Great Basin
Scrambling down
Rare flat stretch
Dry Pond in North Basin
Nat playing mountain goat
Lori taking a break
Meadow? Bog? ??? At the end of the boulder field we saw on the way in
Still not getting tired of this view
Looking back up to Hamlin
South Turner, Basing Ponds, Sandy Stream Pond and Katahdin Lake
It had been a simply incredible day - one of the best above treeline days that I can remember. Sadly our Baxter Bash week was at it's end and we'd be heading home in the morning, but what a wonderful week it was. We're already looking forward to next year!
Back on level ground (sort of)
The interactive GPS track is here: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=bclosmrbmhcrtswu