Katahdin, Or Ktaadn, the highest mountain in Maine, situated in the central part of the state, about 80 m. N. by W. of Bangor, and 6 m. N. E. of the Penobscot river. It is in a region difficult of access except by birch canoes, the river being the only thoroughfare through this rough territory, and its course being interrupted by frequent shoals and falls. The mountain is composed entirely of granite, which stands in abrupt walls, and is exposed in naked floors covering acres of surface. Down its sides bare spots caused by slides of rock extend from near the summit almost to the base. The height of the mountain is 5,385 ft. above the sea. Upon its summit are found only lichens and a few dwarfish plants; and half way down, the birch and other forest trees are but of diminutive size. It is remarkable that over the granite rocks, even to the summit, are found bowlders of trap and of other rocks not belonging to the mountain, and among them pieces of sandstone containing fossil shells, such as are met with in place many miles further N. From the summit in clear weather the view extends over a country singularly rough and wild, composed of scattered mountains which rise in the conical form of granitic peaks, and among which are interspersed hundreds of lakes, many of large size, and streams without number.

Most of these are navigable by the birch canoe, and are made by temporary dams to drift down the pine logs which are cut by the lumbermen in the winter, and hauled down upon the ice in readiness to be floated as this breaks up in the spring.