Ideas for 5 days in Baxter

[Tuco]

Some fine hiking folks are planning a week or so of hiking/backpacking next year and one of the possibilities is 5 days in Baxter state park. For those expert in the park, my question is: if you had 5 days in mid September, where would you stay and what hikes would you do to get the most of the Baxter experience in that time.

Car camping and backpacking is OK, whatever allows for the maximum usage of the time to hike "Baxter's Best".

Thanks for any input you have.

PS- I know some of this is similar to Neil's current thread on the Maine AT, I am trying to lock it down to the best 5 day in the park- Papa Bear, I read your report and its excellent.

 

[RoySwkr]

1. Katahdin of course, there are enough trails you could climb it 2 days without repeat

2. Traveler loop

3. Doubletop

4. Coe-Brother, add Fort only if peakbagger

5. A day with several shorter hikes to little mountains in the N part of the park such as Barrell Ridge

The above are best in good weather, visit ponds on rainy days

 

[trailbiscuit]

Davis Pond. 'nuff said.

 

[ChrisB]

I'd stay here:

* Two nights at South Branch Pond
* Two nights at Newsoudahunk Field
* One night at Abol Campground

I'd avoid Roaring Brook if possible.

cb

 

[marty]

Eric -
I agree with all of the above, but have a couple of additions regarding S. Branch pond:

As far as S. Branch Pond sites go, I recommend the lean-to at Upper South Branch Pond, which is reserved separately from the main campground. You could backpack to it or rent a canoe for a reasonable rate. It has gorgeous views of pond and Travelers Range and is very quiet. Also, I highly recommend doing an easy backpack from S. Branch Pond to Pogy Pond for a night. The lean-to faces the pond, with Katahdin in the background!

Regards,
Marty

 

[king tut]

I would recommend hiking Katahdin from both sides of the mountain on two seperate days. They are two very different hikes from each side of the mountain, and both are amazing.

 

[TJ aka Teej]

Knife Edge and Canoes!

Some fine hiking folks are planning a week or so of hiking/backpacking next year and one of the possibilities is 5 days in Baxter state park. For those expert in the park, my question is: if you had 5 days in mid September, where would you stay and what hikes would you do to get the most of the Baxter experience in that time.

Stay at Katahdin Steam.
5 people, two cars, September? Best two mountains for car-spotting: Doubletop and Katahdin. Doubletop is a very rewarding climb, and 'bigger' than it looks from below. Katahdin: spot a car at Abol or Katahdin Stream, hike in from Roaring Brook the next day. Start up before dawn (you'll be on the 'sun rise side') traverse the Knife Edge to Baxter Peak, descend via Hunt or Abol Slide ('sun set side') to a car with a cooler and food. Nice time of year to be in Baxter! And take a day off!! Spot a car at Katahdin Stream, head over to Daicey, check out the view from the dock in front of the library, hike the AT down to the falls and balancing rock, hike back beside moosey-ponds to KSC. If you signed out the canoes down the blue-blazed trail at Grassy Pond, you'll get to carry paddles and life jackets - and you'll be glad you did.
I write the Katahdin/Baxter section for the ALDHA Thruhiker's Companion - that's why I included a bit of AT in my suggestions!

 

[whcobbs]

5 days in Baxter

Tuco:

Some years ago I did the following and enjoyed it: with reservations for
Russell Pond, hike in (about 7 mi, gentle) and establish your headquarters in a tent or leanto, speak to the ranger. Now there are some options. You can hike into the Davis Pd leanto in the Northwest basin, overnight there, summit one of the subsidiary peaks of Katahdin next day and hike back out to Russell Pd for your overnight. The next day do a dayhike to Lake Wassatoquik (sp) where you can canoe, hike round the lake (Green Falls) and maybe see a bald eagle fishing. The final day you have to hike back out.
All this is from memory, about 1985, so please check the details.

Walt

 

[SherpaKroto]

Drop car at Roaring Brook. Hire a shuttle from the Matagamon Wilderness Campground, parking your car at Roaring Brook (you will need to approve this with BSP beforehand) and do a North to South Traverse of BSP. This will save a day at the end.
Day #1: Traveler Loop and stay at South Branch Pond (Marty's sugggestion would be excellent!)
Day #2: Backpack to Russell Pond. Watch moose at dusk. Guaranteed. Do a bit of exploring to the lookout (name escapes me...)
Day #3: Backpack to Roaring Brook, looping around Sandy Stream Pond. Stay at Roaring Brook in the walkin leanto's, and pick up your car.
Day #4: Dayhike Katahdin via Chimney Pond/Dudley/Knife Edge, return via Hamlin Ridge. Camp at Katahdin Stream or Abol. An alternate route is to start at Katahdin Stream, do the Hunt trail, and walk with folks who are finishing the AT (I still would recommend the first route for your first Katahdin climb).
Day #5: Doubletop, for the views, and to see what you will want to do the next time.
Day #6: Smile a lot.

That doesn't even dent what BSP has to offer, but is a really sweet trip!

 

[Tuco]

Thanks everybody for your comments and ideas. I have lots of good stuff to go on now!