hi, going to Katahdin for the first time and just need a little advice. our original plan was to take helon taylor from roaring brook up to baxter peak and onto hamlin peak, down to chimney pond, returning to roaring brook. from what i can tell that's around 12 miles but not sure what book time would be, anyone have an idea approx how long this hike would take? seems like after baxter peak it would be pretty much all flat or downhill except for 500' up hamlin peak.
if that's too big of a day (we'll be going columbus day weekend, days are fairly short), what should be our priority hamlin peak or chimney pond?
and finally how does this hike compare to the northern presidentials in NH? not so much difficulty but just overall experience?
thanks!