I have the opportunity to be out in the Northeast the last week in April and I was looking at the Red Tape for Katahdin and Mansfield and had some questions.

On Mansfield when it says the park service closes the hiking trails in April, is it still possible to climb to the summit via the toll road? If not, what other options are available?

On Katahdin, is there any trail that leads from outside the park that could get me to Katahdin? I climb solo and will not be able to park inside the park under their 'winter' climbing rules without three other members.

This could help with your Katahdin plans. http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=50342 http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=49591 Good luck

Guess it's a no go. Called Baxter SP and they said the park is closed from mid april to sometime in May. So unless there's a bushwhack route from outside the park to get me to one of the ridges, I'll have to make a special 1200 mile trip just to climb this thing, and I'm sure that will be a failure too given all their regulations.

Don't know about Katahdin, but as far as Mansfield, last year I was on it around the second week of April and there were no trail closures that I recall. Late April could be a different story, however. I can't tell you much about the road as I did not walk on it, but bear in mind that it doesn't take you to the Chin (true summit), but rather the Forehead - from there it's still at least a mile of mostly above treeline to the summit.

P.S. Just for reference, here are some photos from last April on Mansfield:

The high summits of Vermont (all trails above 3000') are closed by the Green Mountain Club due to trail erosion concerns due to ground thawing round plus water run off due to melting snow and rain. This is mid April (tax day) to memorial day. I would guess Katahdin is closed for the same reason. In the Adirondacks, the trails are not closed, but they (the hiking clubs) do discourage mud season hiking in the high peaks, especially the most heavily trammelled ones like Algonquin. It is worded voluntary restraint from hiking. In the live free or die state, I am not aware of any such restrictions. But be aware of trail erosion concerns and be prepared for full on winter conditions in late April, especially above tree line. That time of year can be especially deceiving as you can get 70 degree afternoons and a blizzard the next day. Trails can be especially icy and messy (old stale snow and mud). Bring traction devices, gaitors. In general, seek out ridge trails rather then ravines since they drain better, try to stay on the rocks, don't go around muddy areas creating side trails, etc... . I like to go to the northern presi's that time of year out of Appalachia if I am hiking. The airline trail is generally pretty well drained. I don't recall Lowe's path being all that muddy either. One of the best days in the mountains ever for me was climbing Madison & Adams in late April after 3 feet of snow fell in the mountains mid week, then by the weekend valley temps were in the 70's. It was tough going with snowshoes but absolutely beautiful.


edited to add: above all, stay alert and don't get lost. There are allot of SAR stories that time of year.

I was up in northern VT in February this year and was surprised at how little snow there was - I was driving I-89 north of Burlington on a business trip. I do not know the conditions on peaks such as Mansfield but it may be that there will not be much snow to melt off this year. You should check to see when they open the trails - perhaps it will be earlier than usual.