Katahdin, Granite mountain peak in Piscataquis County, United States.
Katahdin is a granite summit in Piscataquis County, Maine, reaching 5268 feet (1606 meters) in elevation. The formation consists of multiple peaks connected by narrow ridges that extend across a wide area.
Surveyors Zackery Adley and Charles Turner Jr. made the first documented ascent in August 1804, accompanied by indigenous guides. The peak later became the northern endpoint of the Appalachian Trail, completed during the 1930s.
The name comes from the Penobscot language and describes what travelers see: a massive peak rising above the forests. Local communities still regard the summit as a landmark and symbol of wilderness in northern Maine.
Trails remain open from mid-May to mid-October, when snow and ice do not block the routes. Winter visits require alpine gear and experience, as storms regularly hit the summit and reduce visibility.
A narrow passage called Knife Edge connects two summits across a ridge that drops steeply on both sides. Hikers move slowly there and sometimes hold onto the rock to keep their balance.
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