Sarah Holman, Registered Maine Guide, Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace certified
From Southern Maine’s mini mountain (Bradbury) to Baxter’s wild beast (Katahdin) and everything in between, I will be there to help you plan, hike, and safely complete your adventure. While Maine is my home, I also travel regularly to New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Vermont’s five 4000′ peaks.
Day hikes, camping overnights, and multi-day backpacking trips are offered and rental gear is available at a low cost through a partnership with Maine GearShare.
Custom trips are available.
Trip Planning Services
Don’t need a guide but want some help planning an amazing outdoor adventure in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont? I can help! From navigating the rules entering Baxter State park to planning a multi-day trip to finding a family-friendly hike in the Portland area, I’ve got the information you need to make trip planning a breeze (and if I don’t have it, I know where to find it!) Cost varies depending on the trip, email to schedule a free 15 minute consultation.
Katahdin
Summit of Katahdin, Knife’s Edge
This wild, rugged mountain is the tallest peak in Maine and located in Baxter State Park. There are multiple trail options to reach the summit of Baxter Peak and neighboring Hamlin Peak. While some trails are easier than others, none are easy. This hike is hard no matter which way you go, and the payoff at the top is worth every step. Hiking Katahdin requires a Katahdin Trailhead Pass, available through Baxter State Park. These passes are limited, so plan ahead for your summer ascent by contacting me now!
Cost: starting at $1000 for private trips, $600 per person for groups of 2+ Does NOT include Katahdin Trailhead Parking pass or camping reservations at the trailhead.If you would like to book 2 days in a row to have a rain backup, there is a $100 flat fee for the non-hiking day.
As soon as I discovered the website She Hikes Mountains, I knew I had found the perfect person to guide my brother and me back up Mt Katahdin. The trails and peaks I saw in Sarah’s pictures were impressive, but more importantly I recognized a deep passion and even greater respect for hiking and nature. I was convinced that my journey back to Maine and the Appalachian Trail would be best served with the guidance of Sarah Holman.
Climbing the tallest mountain in Maine is a real challenge, and I knew it would require serious preparation. From our very first correspondence, I noticed in Sarah the attention to detail and focus on planning and safety that assured me I would be hiking Mt Katahdin with a real professional.
Sarah led the way for literally every step of our journey to the summit, and carefully guided us back down to complete the 10 mile and 10 hour hike. She knew each section of the mountain in detail, every ridge and ledge that offered a grip or foothold to carry us across. Her instruction and guidance were crucial. Everything from hydration, nutrition, to overall positive mental attitude, it was all paramount to our success. Her expertise and knowledge of hiking and mountains is unmatched.
I cannot say enough about her leadership, strength and confidence as a hiking guide. Sarah is the consummate professional, and I highly recommend enlisting her to guide you on your next hike in the White Mountains, Appalachian Trail, or beyond.
-Wells W, New York, NY
New England’s 4000 footers
Summit of Mt. Washington
There are 67 mountains over 4000 feet in elevation in New England. Well, there are a lot more, but there are 67 that qualify for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s list. Some are easily accessible with well marked trails and others are pretty remote. I offer guided trips up all 67 peaks, including day trips and multi-day outings with camping in between for those traveling a long distance or wanting to check a few off the list at once. In many cases, multiple peaks can be covered in one hike. Check out my 4000 Foot Hikes page to read about each peak and multi-summit hikes, and contact me to start planning!
Cost: starting at $600 for private trips, $400 per person for groups of 2, $350 per person for groups of 3+ There is an additional $200 travel fee for trails over 2 hours from Portland.
Hiking with Sarah was an absolute delight. She took the guesswork out of everything – helped us figure out what clothing to wear based on the weather, what gear to bring based on the hiking conditions, which trails to take based on our interests and skill level. She’s easy to talk to, highly knowledgeable, incredibly kind, and just one of those humans who are fun to be around. Spending a day on a mountain with Sarah is a five-star experience!
– Kate E, Yarmouth, ME
Backpacking Trips
Grafton Loop Trail backpacking trip
Are you an experienced day hiker who’s ready to spend a night (or 2, or 3) in the woods? Or you’re working on your section hike and would like guidance on the harder stretches of trail? I was fortunate enough to have a friend (an AT thru hiker) show me the ropes on my first backpacking trip, and I’m excited to share that knowledge with other hikers. Backpacking requires careful packing to manage weight—you don’t want to carry anything you won’t absolutely need (except first aid supplies). There are also important things to consider when choosing a spot to camp for the night, mapping distances, estimating caloric needs, and refilling water.
Cost: starting at $1400 for private trips, $1200 per person for groups of 2, $1000 per person for groups of 3+ There is an additional $200 travel fee for trails over 2 hours from Portland.
Custom Trips
For guided hikes on other New England mountains and trails, please reach out via email.
