Katahdin 360 - Bikepacking Maine's Best Gravel Route

Katahdin 360 is a world class bikepack loop circumnavigating Maine's tallest mountain, Katahdin. Follow Chris & Chris, and their friend Andy, as they ride 125 miles of some of the best gravel on the planet.
The route works it's way through Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, offering epic views of the mountain while following the mystical East Branch of the Penobscot River. Linking up several public access logging roads and even some unimproved roads untouched by vehicles in many years, it eventually arrives at Baxter State Park tote road, a (mostly) hard packed and truly perfect gravel surface for biking.
Gear Used:
Pinebury Rangely SS Jersey bit.ly/3zqbuqV
Pinebury Signature Merino Wool Sock bit.ly/3W573Lc
Our Professional Work:
Chris Shane
/ chrismshane
chrismshane.com
Chris Bennett
/ chrisbennettphoto
chrisbennettphotography.com
Andy Gagne
/ andygagnephotography
www.andygagnephotography.com
The Route
/ strava

[@michaelbroyer3918]

My first watch of one of your videos. I grew up in NH and Maine and and know that area like the back of my hand. Fifty + summits on Katahdin every month of the year. Your video is excellent. My only complaint that 15 minutes is a rather short video for such an amazing bikepacking trip. Kudos for hiking up Doubletop Mtn; that is a great hike in BSP. I will like and subscribe. Good video!

[@chrisandchris]

Cheers Mike, thanks for the note! We agree on length. To combat this we'll make more videos in the area when we get a chance :)

[@user-pw9dz7xm3u]

Beautiful video

[@chrisandchris]

Thanks Brian!

[@andrewgoorhuis]

Love watching you explore the best state. 😌

[@chrisandchris]

Thanks! No doubt it's the best state :)

[@owenmcintyre8227]

Epic adventure. Solid video. Beautiful piece of a the state.

[@chrisandchris]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Noop-Noop56]

Haha dude you totally caught a tick in that shot of the crash! Maine the deer tick state

[@RhodySeth]

Awesome turtle AND moose encounters? Gotta love the deep woods of Maine.

[@chrisandchris]

1-2 punch

[@MrShanebizzle]

Sweet video dudes! Looking forward to doing this ride myself now!

[@chrisandchris]

Awesome! You'll absolutely love it.

[@Ann13ford]

What an awesome video! I've yet to see the sunrise from atop any peak in BSP. Need to make that happen.

[@chrisandchris]

We highly recommend it!

[@voodoochili12]

Cool loop I've heard a lot about. I've read a few times that bushwhacking may be necessary - would you substitute any portions of your ride if you were tick and bushwhacking averse?

[@chrisandchris]

We're not aware of any bushwhacking via our version of the route, so you're good there. There is a small section that takes an old road that turns to single track for a couple miles but it's by no means offroading. Ticks, not sure what to say there - you'll have the same issue anywhere in New England...or anywhere in the country. Just avoid tall grass and if you do need to pass through some for nature breaks, we recommend a few tick checks for peace of mind. We hate ticks just as much as the next person, but we refuse to let them kill our dreams.

[@christopherkring]

Great ride and video guys! Did you need a reservation for the lean to or is it a first come, first serve scenario? Ty

[@chrisandchris]

You’ll need to register when entering Baxter State Park (it’s free for cyclists), and you’ll need a reservation made via their website to stay at any campground area inside of the park. Most are usually booked well in advance because it’s a popular place, but you’re usually good earlier in the summer. We’d recommend riding through the park counterclockwise (entering from the North entrance), and staying at either South Branch or Nesowadnehunk Field Campground. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with Baxter State Park and all of its unique rules & regulations as well, so check out their website!

[@mikewilander3729]

Thanks for the great video! What time of year did you do this? Buddy and I are thinking about it in late June but hear the mosquitoes will make it miserable.

[@chrisandchris]

Awesome! You definitely should. Mosquitoes are likely going to be around and pretty pesky from June to August. They’re definitely worse early summer. Honestly, the black flies are worse though. They are manageable as long as you keep moving though!

[@legloberouleur1975]

Which tires width you're using?

[@chrisandchris]

Pretty sure we were all on 47mm. If you’re confident in your bike handling, a 40mm tire would do just fine…but 47 is nice for the KWW portion of the ride, which at times isn’t the smoothest of gravel.

[@GD-cc4su]

Awesome video guys! Exactly why I quite my DC job and moved back to Maine. One question on the Strava route, am I reading it right and it includes your hike?

[@chrisandchris]

Maine is home! The Strava route does not include our hike, it is the bikepacking loop.

[@DrDilweed]

So that loop from mile 90ish is just riding - cool. Thanks!

[@chrisandchris]

@@DrDilweed yes, that loop is the Katahdin Loop Road in Katahdin Woods National Monument and best part of the route

[@joshualanglais613]

Hey dudes. What's the little lollipop portion of the ride on your route? Is that for something scenic or was that to facilitate your hike?

[@chrisandchris]

That’s the best part of the whole route - it follows the Katahdin Loop Road which is part of Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Great views of Katahdin if it’s not in the clouds.

[@joshualanglais613]

@@chrisandchris Saweeeet! Thanks!

[@tombiggi1024]

How far into your ride when you came across that bad bridge where it looked like few had been past there in years?

[@chrisandchris]

It's probably about half way. Its fine to cross just not for vehicles.

[@tombiggi1024]

Do you have a RWGPS route of your ride/route?

[@chrisandchris]

Hey Tom, the route is in the video description via Strava.

[@tombiggi1024]

I'm not seeing a link for your Strava.

[@tombiggi1024]

NM .... I found it!

[@Joeoneil1960]

You know the benz will melt your lens , glasses anything plastic

[@chrisandchris]

We’re wondering, is this a rap verse from a song we don’t know about?

[@chrisandchris]

We just figured it out. Ben’s. We thought you were referring to a car. Yup it’s for only the worst bug situations, or for an old GoPro lens. Which still works well btw!

[@Joeoneil1960]

@@chrisandchris just typo