Baxter State Park Backpack - September 13-19, 2008

Preface- In early to mid 2008 Sapblatt (Mike) and I discussed a 100 Mile Wilderness hike in Maine with a finish on Mt. Katahdin, but realized it would likely take over the week we could get off for a trip. We then changed to week in Baxter State Park, which would focus on both hitting peaks and backpacking and sleeping in some of the mosre remote parts of the park. While LarryD (Larry) , Rols (Paul) and I were involved in discussions of planning, Mike did a great job of scoping out the park, picking a super hike with lots of variety, and great remote locations. Hats off to Mike on that!. On this and the following page I will try and lay out our trip; nothing can come close to being there and enjoying the reality of a great place like Baxter State park (BSP). Also will be links to pictures in the report. Warning, the full album has lots of duplicates as I am still looking over what the best shots from different spots are.

The link to both of my photo albums are: Days 1-4 , Days 5-7

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at nh48@tucohiking.com, whether it be on trip planning or location questions at the park.

Day 1- September 13- Travel Day and Doubletop Mt.

Rols and I left from my house in NH at 3am as did LarryD and Sapblatt from Mass. Amazingly, as we pulled off the highway in Medford we saw Larry and Mike pull up right behing us. We met in the gas station parking lot and we followed Larry into the Park where we took care of the necessary paperwork at the Togue Pond gate. We drove over to Roaring Brook where we loaded up my car with gear and headed over to Nesowadnehunk (Neso) campground. We checked in and drove over to our lean-to, which was nice since we didn't have to carry all our gear there.

We got ready and headed over to the Doubletop Trail head and started up the trail. The start of the trail was very easy and we cruised along, but after a descent and river crossing we headed up steeply. It was muggy in the trees but we pressed on and shortly we passed a sign on the trail that we were only a mile from the North Summit. After an interesting climb up a very slick steel gate used as stairs, we were at the summit. We stopped for lunch on the summit and headed over to the South Summit, which had been in cluds but then had opened up as we for it. At the South Summit, we took lots of pix as there was some clearing but we still couldn't see as far as Katahdin. We headed back to the North Summit and then headed down. I felt sick, and had a little trouble- not sure why. Although steep we quickly made our way down and after a while I felt a lot better. Of course, by the time we got down the summit looked fully in the clear, but we are plenty used to that. We went back to the lean-to, ate dinner and then Mike and Larry made a nice fire and we stayed up later that night enjoying (more on that later) and finally went to sleep excited to get on the trail.

Day 1 summary- around 8 miles, including the walk from the lean-to. Incredibly exciting getting to Baxter; we had been looking forward to this for a long time. The trip around the tote road was long, as 20mph is the max. You have to deal with it, but when excited to get going its painful. Doubletop was a great hike; not too long but with some steep stuff and nice summits. A little crowded for my taste, but hey- the mountains ain't all mine!

Day 2- September 14- Neso Campground to Little Wassataquoik (Wass) Lean-to

We woke up and moved the car for long tem parking and hit the trail. The trail was mostly level with some really nice flat woods spots early, and then a ton of bog bridges, I think almost a miles worth. They really take care of the trails in Baxter State Park (BSP) and it showed on this trail. We passed Center pond, which has a canoe that can be used, and then stopped at Center Mt. lean-to for lunch. Trail workers were there- and we saw them later on making new bog bridges. We thanked them and moved on. One push up and we made the trail junction for the lean-to and then got in before any rain. Yes, there was an 80% chance of rain in the forecast due to the remnants of Hurricaine Ike so we were worried about getting to the lean-to. We settled in and headed down to Little Wass Lake to relax. larry fished here for a bit and Mike and I took pix and hung out. We got back to the lean-to (fear of rain) and started a fire again. We crashed, waiting for the impending weather.

Day 2 Summary- 9.3 miles. This wasn't a hard hiking day, but with heavier packs it did add to the effort. Paul's pack was very heavy and I felt bad for him since it must have been tough to carry. Paul has always been prepared for anything and I have benefitted from that. The trail was really in great shape, and the bog bridge work was amazing. Center Pond was beautiful, and I was shocked there was a nice canoe sitting there to be used. Could be a great day hike from Neso and place to spend the day.

Day 3- September 15- Little Wass Lake to Pogy Pond Lean-to

We got up and after the forcast of heavy rain, IT NEVER HAPPENED! We were very lucky on that for sure. We got back on the Wass. Lake Trail and moved on. It was windy, but a clear and sunny morning. The trail was more of the same, fairly level, well taken care of and some views into the valley. We came upon a junction with two great view points, Greene Falls and Wass. Lake. We spent a lot of time looking at these views- the falls are really nice and high, somthing you don't see a lot of in the Northeast. We continued on the trail and passed the first blueberry bushes on the trip and stopped to munch. Delicious. Soon after we arrived at Russell Pond and checked in with the ranger. The rangers at BSP are a real great group, very knowledable and friendly. We headed over to an empty campsite there for lunch. Amazing how big and manicured the campsite was. We then headed up the Pogy Notch Trail to the Pond. There were many more blueberry bushes and we stopped again to eat. The Pogy Notch trail to the Pond had some lite ups and downs, and also lots of beautiful different looks. Arriving at the pond, it started to fog up so we ate quickly and prepared for the night. Larry did get some fishing but soon the rains came and our night was done. Still, we avoided being in it while hiking.

Day 3 Summary- around 9 miles. The falls and lakes were a highlight of the trip and we got a nice glimpse of what Russell Pond would be like. All of the trails have been great, lots of water views; lakes and streams alike. Shame we didn't have more time to enjoy Pogy Pond and its canoe- the rain took care of that. There was a funnt outhouse at Pogy Pond, with your head sticking out over the side. The fact there were outhouses at some of these remote places was amazing; we knew it but they were all so well maintained and even had toilet paper in them. Wow- again, they take care of you and the park so well at BSP. Great wealth of blueberries, it was hard to stop eating them and hike on.

Day 4, September 16- Pogy Pond to Russell Pond

In the morning, it cleared up and the fog started lifting and the views off the lake started to open. We took lots of pictures, and had our first great views of Katahdin. It was hard to leave as the views were amazing, but we had a date at Russell. As we headed back to Russell, we picked a lot of berries for our next day oatmeal- thanks to Mike for sharing the extra baggies for this. Before this was the defining BSP event- wildlife. Paul and I came walking around a turn and Larry was there and whispered he had seen a mother and baby moose and they were on both sides of the trail. He let us wwalk up slowly and sure enough, moment later we passed the mother on the right of the trail. We watched for a while but she started to slowly move deeper into the woods. We waited a bit and saw the baby on the other side of the trail. Eventually, it came across the trail behind us and met up with family. It was a great time, and thanks to Larry for waiting for us to warn us so we could be quiet and not scare them off. We got to Russell Pond and it was very early, so we could do what we wanted that day. Mike did some hiking around the area, Larry did some fishing, Paul spent time around camp and I took a canoe on the Pond for a couple of hours. We met back for dinner, then Mike, Paul and I headed for Turner Deadwater as it got darker. Larry took a canoe on the lake. We came back and ate- Mike took another trip to the deadwater. A fire was built- short lived as it was and Mike nicely read the euology our friend Ray had written for another hiking friend Ray, who had passed on a hike the week before. It was a nice way to end the night.

Day 4 Summary- About 4 miles. The morning views at Pogy Pond were hard to equal. It was our first real view of the prize at the end, Katahdin. Seeing the moose on and near the trail was great. Larry got the best pix, but just watching them from the trail was a lot of fun. Picking the berries was a great plan for spicing up the oatmeal, as we all started to get sick of it. Having a full half day at Russell Pond was also great. Having the piond all to myself was amazing, and it was a ton of fun canoeing around the pond was a blast- I hadn't canoed in many many years. The Russell lean-to was the best area we had all trip, and reading the euology allowed us to enjoy the trip and share sense of loss we felt at Ray's passing. Putting some time in the middle of the trip where hiking was not mandatory and everybody could do their own thing was a great plan.