Baxter State Park/Maine - Is it worth visiting?
Herwig Mayr
the subject says it all -- I will
be there in September/October. IS the park
worth a special visit or is the indian
summer equally nice elsewhere? Does anyone
have special hints for trails/walks in the
park?
Yours, Herwig
Mark A. Stoffan
It's very worthwhile. But it's very hard to get reservations for camping
and the park has strict rules and regulations to protect the resources.
It's designed as a preserve first and foremost. Recreation is secondary.
Having said that, the climb of Katahdin is magnificent by any
route. Many of the 46 secondary summits in the park are spectacular as
well. The stream and pond country is classic Maine woods, especially in
the fall.
If you decide to visit and can't get reservations, you can
always camp in a private campground outside the park and day hike. Pick
up a copy of Steve Clark's GUIDE TO BAXTER STATE PARK AND KATAHDIN,
available at area bookstores.
Feel free to e-mail me for particulars.
Mark Stoffan
Bangor Theological Seminary
ma...@BTSgateP.caps.maine.edu
msto...@nlbbs.com
Dan Roberts
>
> It's very worthwhile. But it's very hard to get reservations for camping
> and the park has strict rules and regulations to protect the resources.
> It's designed as a preserve first and foremost. Recreation is secondary.
> Having said that, the climb of Katahdin is magnificent by any
> route. Many of the 46 secondary summits in the park are spectacular as
> well. The stream and pond country is classic Maine woods, especially in
> the fall.
> If you decide to visit and can't get reservations, you can
> always camp in a private campground outside the park and day hike. Pick
> up a copy of Steve Clark's GUIDE TO BAXTER STATE PARK AND KATAHDIN,
> available at area bookstores.
> Feel free to e-mail me for particulars.
>
> Mark Stoffan
> Bangor Theological Seminary
> ma...@BTSgateP.caps.maine.edu
> msto...@nlbbs.com
Dan Roberts
BRISTOL-MYERS-SQUIBB PHARM. RES. CENTER
Cardio-Vascular Biochem Dept.
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY U.S.A. PLANET EARTH, MILKY-WAY GALAXY
<<<<INTERNET ADDRESS>>>>Robe...@BMS.COM
Leonard Franco
Path: think.com!ames!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!paladin.american.edu!news.univie.ac.at!alijku11!mayr
Date: Thu, 27 May 1993 15:21:44 CDT
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: ma...@risc.uni-linz.ac.at (Herwig Mayr)
Distribution: world
Organization: RISC, J.K University of Linz, Austria
Nntp-Posting-Host: 193.170.34.101
Lines: 10
Hi folks,
Yours, Herwig
Absolutely. Baxter is a beautiful park and the trails can
be quite spectacular. September is a fine time to go,
not too crowded, but bring warm clothes if you're going
near/above tree line. There are numerous trails going
up to Baxter Peak, best check a topo map to see which
one is best for you. If you plan to stay overnight in
the park call ahead and make reservations
or you may not get in- access is controlled and facilities
are limited. We've done mostly day hiking there. I don't
believe you can camp anywhere in the park other than
at designated camp sites. We used to reserve a lean-to
and kind of live right out of the trunk of our car.
Not very "wildernessy" but....
The park is about as close to wilderness as it gets
in New England.
If the trails are crowded or closed because of high
winds/weather, try a
walk to Daisey Pond. Its pleasant, picturesque along the
way, and usually devoid of people until you get to the
pond where you'll probably run into a crowd again.
If you're the adventurous type and the weather is good,
you might try crossing the Knife Edge at the top
of Mt. Katahdin (sp?). Try it, you'll like it.
Len
Eugene Levine
>Hi folks,
>Yours, Herwig
Katahdin is special. See if you can find Thoreau on The Maine Woods before
you go. Be prepared for rain. The mountain is the scariest looking hulk
you'll ever see! Exciting full-day hike. Fair amount of wild life. A real
chance to see New England as it was. And a reminder that not all politics
is useless and corrupt (Baxter State Park was an enlightened undertaking).
Enjoy the trip.
Gene Levine
ele...@world.std.com
Mike Fox
>
>In a previous article, ma...@risc.uni-linz.ac.at (Herwig Mayr) says:
>
>>Hi folks,
>>
>>the subject says it all -- I will
>>be there in September/October. IS the park
>>worth a special visit or is the indian
>>summer equally nice elsewhere? Does anyone
>>have special hints for trails/walks in the
>>park?
>
>It's very worthwhile. But it's very hard to get reservations for camping
>and the park has strict rules and regulations to protect the resources.
>It's designed as a preserve first and foremost. Recreation is secondary.
Yes, I can attest to the strictness. And it's not just rules on paper,
they ARE enforced. BSP has some of the highest fees I've ever seen and
they pay for a lot of rangers. When I first visited there I really had
a hard time with the ominpresence of authority the first day (I was meeting
AT thruhikers who had been used to the freedom of the trail). By the
second day, though, I realized that the park is in the best condition
of any state park I have ever seen, and is not overused or overdeveloped.
Once one gets over the authority thing, it becomes apparent that this
really is a park where a good balance has been struck between access
fees, authority, and preservation. You pay to go to BSP in money ($8 to get
in, pretty stiff camping fees) and freedom, but the beauty and preservation
of the place makes it worth it IMO.
Btw, most camping sites close on Oct 15. My wife and I will be in a cabin
on Dacey Pond Oct. 3-7 this year. Fee: $250, but I think it's worth it.
--Mike
"Did you exchange a walk-on part in a war for a lead role in a cage?"
(Pink Floyd)
Dan Roberts
>
> Katahdin is special. See if you can find Thoreau on The Maine Woods before
> you go. Be prepared for rain. The mountain is the scariest looking hulk
> you'll ever see! Exciting full-day hike. Fair amount of wild life. A real
> chance to see New England as it was. And a reminder that not all politics
> is useless and corrupt (Baxter State Park was an enlightened undertaking).
> Enjoy the trip.
> Gene Levine
> ele...@world.std.com
How much time would you give yourself to get up and down...Can somebody
give some logistics on hiking in Mt. Katahdin....Thanks..>Dan
Leonard Franco
Sorry for the typo in my post on Baxter. Mike's post just
reminded me I meant to recommend a trip to "Dacey" not
"Daisey" pond. BTW- I haven't been to Baxter in a couple
of years but we used to go regularly after Labor Day and
as long as we made reservation at least three weeks in advance
we never had trouble getting in, although when we arrived there
were often people being turned away at the gate.
For $250 a cabin at Dacey Pond is a deal. Absolutely beautiful
place.
Len
Dennis J. Wilkinson
Robe...@BMS.COM writes:
>How much time would you give yourself to get up and down...Can somebody
>give some logistics on hiking in Mt. Katahdin....Thanks..>Dan
There are a number of routes up Katahdin, of which I can only remember the
commaonname of one (The Appalachian Trail) although I have taken other routes
up.
Plan on taking the entire day, especailly if you want to reach Baxter Peak
(five peaks on the big K). Most trails up the mountain are very steep (read:
iron rungs in spots) and you spend about half your time above treeline.
One suggestion: if you can arrange to have someone meet you on the other side,
and its a clear day (very important -- Kataadn gets nasty!) try the Knife Edge
(not for persons susceptible to vertigo) - the views are gorgeous (no other
real mountains to block your view for a good distance), and it's an
interesting mile or two...
And be sure to sign in at the Trailhead. The rangers at BSP most certainly
double-check to make sure that no one's left on the mountain after dark.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis J. Wilkinson, II (dwilkins...@qmail.umassd.edu)
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - Design/CS Project
Jim Rosinski
>>How much time would you give yourself to get up and down...Can somebody
>>give some logistics on hiking in Mt. Katahdin....Thanks..>Dan
Dennis J. Wilkinson replied:
>There are a number of routes up Katahdin, of which I can only remember the
>commaonname of one (The Appalachian Trail) although I have taken other routes
>up.
It's been probably 15 years since I climbed Katahdin, but I still remember
some of the routes--testimony to how impressive the area is. The most direct,
rigorous, and beautiful trail to the peak is called the "Cathedral" trail. I
recommend going *up* rather than down this trail due to its steepness. A more
circuitous, moderate, and (IMHO) inferior route to the top is called the
"Saddle" trail. There is at least one more trail to choose from to descend
from the peak, but I don't remember any other names. If you're camped at
Chimney pond, the hike to the top and back down can easily be done in less
than a day with lots of stops along the way. I don't remember how long the
moderate hike in to Chimney pond is, however.
Things may have changed in the years that have passed since I was last up
there, but I remember the road in from the town of Millinocket being pretty
crummy (winding, gravel, and full of potholes).
Jim Rosinski
Robert Fanning
>How much time would you give yourself to get up and down...Can somebody
>give some logistics on hiking in Mt. Katahdin....Thanks..>Dan
>
>Dan Roberts
It depends if you go across the Knifes Edge or not. Personally I'd do
the Edge unless you are afraid of heights or there is bad weather.
Starting from the parking lot, then to Chimney pond, if you go up Cathedrial,
across the Knifes Edge and backdown to Chimney Pond, then down to the parking
lot, allow 7 to 9 hours. If your not at Chimney pond by noon, they won't
let you go. The parking lot fills up really fast! I believe the round
trip distance is about 9 miles.
Rob Fanning
fan...@iatc.ed.ray.com
Mark A. Stoffan
Chimney Pond is 3.3 miles from Roaring Brook Campground, and is a
moderate hike. The challenge begins at Chimney Pond.
The other trail is probably the Dudley Trail. It ascends Pamola at the
eastern end of the Knife Edge. A spectacular but challenging route is
to ascend the Cathedral or Saddle Trails to Baxter Peak (the highest)
then traverse the Knife Edge to Pamola and Descend the Dudley. If you're
camping at Roaring Brook instead of Chimney you can descend on the Helon
Taylor trail directly back to Roaring Brook instead of taking Dudley
back to Chimney Pond.
The park has been encroached upon like everything else. the road from
Millinocket is paved right up to the southern gatehouse. The nine miles
from there to Roaring Brook is gravel but is graded. Unless it has
rained recently it shouldn't be too bad if you're careful.
Mark Stoffan
ma...@BTSgateP.caps.maine.edu
msto...@nlbbs.com