Katahdin, Maine. (Baxter State Park Facebook Photo)

Katahdin, Maine. (Baxter State Park Facebook Photo)

Maine’s Baxter State Park Authority has temporarily closed all trails on Katahdin to try to help the mountain’s rare and endangered species.

According to an announcement on the Baxter State Park Facebook page today, park officials have closed all Katahdin trails and the Traveler Loop.

Katahdin has the largest collection of rare and endangered species located in one place in Maine. Recent freezing and thawing conditions are resulting in ice crystals driving into and killing the roots of specialized trailside plants that endangered species need to survive.