As the closest mountain on the western side of Katahdin, The Owl has a front-row seat to the best show in Maine’s Baxter State Park. And yet, The Owl Trail hike is often overlooked or “saved for another day” by those looking to bask in the glory of Katahdin. I’ve been one to skip past The Owl and let me tell you, missing out on this hike is a mistake. As if possessed by the same grit and determination of a younger sibling, The Owl features steep rock scrambles and bouldering that screams Hey, I’m tough, too! The views, well, they speak for themselves.
![The Owl as Viewed from Katahdin's Hunt Spur The Owl as Viewed from Katahdin's Hunt Spur](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5203/5732276684_87339385cd_n.jpg)
Distance to Summit: 3.7 miles
Time: 4-6 hours round trip
Difficulty: Weekend Warriors
Recommended Gear: hiking boots or trail runners; trekking poles (stow at the boulders)
The Owl shares the same parking area and trailhead as Katahdin’s Hunt Trail at the Katahdin Stream Campground, which means camping reservations or a day parking pass (not needed if you’re camping in the park) must be booked months in advance. We made room in our itinerary for The Owl by arriving early enough the day before our Katahdin adventure to complete a warm-up hike.
The Owl Trail Hike
![Hunt Trail Hunt Trail](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4375/36384461291_8a015c15a5_o.jpg)
![The Owl Trail Sign The Owl Trail Sign](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4377/36384461241_f81e885343_o.jpg)
![Katahdin Stream Falls Katahdin Stream Falls](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/36384461211_637cb4652c_o.jpg)
![The Owl Trail Beginning The Owl Trail Beginning](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4405/36384461161_0c8a5889c3_o.jpg)
![The Owl Trail Staircases The Owl Trail Staircases](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4390/36384461081_9e702317cf_o.jpg)
![The Owl Trail Rocks The Owl Trail Rocks](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4403/36384460971_cd568334cb_o.jpg)
![The Owl Trail Treeline The Owl Trail Treeline](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4429/36384460891_cb9f729771_o.jpg)
![The Owl Shoulder The Owl Shoulder](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/36384460771_20d104bf3c_o.jpg)
![The Owl Outcropping The Owl Outcropping](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4398/36384460681_27e583cd55_o.jpg)
![The Owl Ledge Scramble The Owl Ledge Scramble](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4422/36384460591_d33335fecc_o.jpg)
![The Owl Sentinel Boulder The Owl Boulder Watchman](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4353/36384460491_24b3f62b7e_o.jpg)
![](https://2023.northeasthikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/katahdin-falls.jpg)
![The Owl Summit Baxter State Park The Owl Summit Baxter State Park](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4377/36521876735_6d927f0461_o.jpg)
![The Owl View Katahdin The Owl View Katahdin](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4377/36384460341_a77150475b_o.jpg)
![The Owl Summit View The Owl Summit View](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4332/36521876415_61bd3a51eb_o.jpg)
![The Owl View Barren Mountain The Owl View Barren Mountain](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4407/36521876285_1a29a101e2_o.jpg)
![The Owl Katahdin B&W The Owl Katahdin B&W](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4442/36384460011_d873a47740_o.jpg)
![Katahdin Sepia Katahdin Sepia](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4429/36521876135_431db69313_o.jpg)
![The Owl View Nostalgic The Owl View Nostalgic](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4339/36384459881_57bffaccf8_z.jpg)