| Photo Information |
Copyright: Bob Harrison (BobH)
![Silver Note Writer [C: 2 W: 0 N: 42]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif) (112) |
| Genre: Landscapes |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2003-06-24 |
| Categories: Mountain |
| Camera: Olympus 700C UZ |
| Exposure: f/3.5, 1/800 seconds |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2007-12-17 5:19 |
| Viewed: 694 |
| Points: 6 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This photo shows a portion of Mount Katahdin, which is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail (AT), a popular backpacking route originating more than 3200 km to the south in Georgia. The mountain is in Baxter State Park (BSP), an unusual and very special place for many people in Maine and throughout the northeast US. The park is the largest piece of land in the eastern US dedicated primarily to wilderness. The vast majority of the nearly 850 sq km tract was purchased by former Maine Governor Percival Baxter with his own money, then donated to the state.
Gov. Baxter's will stated that the land, "Shall forever be kept and remain in the Natural Wild State". Enforcing that decree is the responsibility of the Baxter State Park Authority, which maintains and administers the park. Baxter's wish is expressed in the BSP Authority mandate, which states, "This park is to be maintained primarily as a Wilderness, and recreational purposes are to be regarded as of secondary importance and shall not encroach upon the main objective of this area which is to be 'Forever Wild'."
The photo was taken from just below 1500 m elevation, near the top of Pamola Peak, which is part of a cirque nearly enclosing Chimney Pond 600 m below. Our ascent this day was by the Dudley Trail, which begins at Chimney Pond, follows a steep ridgeline mostly hidden in this view, then continues up the visible portion directly toward the photographer's viewpoint. The trail goes right by the very large rock on the right, which is formally named Index Rock. However, just as the trail itself is named in honor of longtime ranger and local legend Leroy Dudley, the rock is usually called "Dudley's Nose". This rock is a mandatory photo stop for many, who climb out to sit or stand on the tip, 10 m above the ridge below.
To the left, out of the picture, is Baxter Peak, the highest point in the entire state of Maine, as well as the formal end of the AT. Most backpackers who complete the AT by reaching Baxter Peak do not see the view in this photo because they choose a route down which is not so dangerous and difficult. To reach Pamola Peak, they would have to cross the Knife Edge, an arete 1.7 km long and with vertical drops on the cirque side as much as several hundred meters. While the Knife Edge crossing is less than ideal for AT hikers with heavy packs, it is popular with adventurous day hikers. For many young Maine hikers, this journey is a rite of passage, their first step toward an adult understanding and appreciation of the extraordinary natural beauty that Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park represent.
tech note- slight PS sharpening and increase in overall color saturation, significant increase in contrast due to haze |
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