Baxter State Park- Maine

Baxter State Park, ME- a Gem of the Northeast

Just spent Monday thru Saturday at Baxter State Park in Maine. I’ve only been there once before & only as a day hiker. This park--- a gift to the people of Maine from former Gov. Percival Baxter—is a gem. We-18 of us – camped at the Nesowadnehunk group site, located off the Park Tote Road. Day one (Tuesday) we hiked up the Sentinel Mountain trail from Kidney Pond. This mountaintop gave us a spectacular view of Kidney & Daicey Ponds below, and the mountain range to our North. It was sunny day, with beautiful white clouds, and fairly warm. We walked along a loop atop Sentinel Mtn. which gave views of all the peaks, rivers, & ponds around. That afternoon we went swimming at Ledge Falls. Tuesday night was cold in camp (36 F) with a full moon & howling coyotes to boot.

Day two (Wed.) was our water-sports day. Four of us went to Kidney Pond and rented canoes. We experienced a leisurely paddle around the pond, ate some lunch, & went swimming. We saw frogs, fish, and an uprooted tree with spooky, gnarly roots. Again it was a beautiful sunny day, & we had great views of the mountain peaks around. Afterwards we hung around the Kidney Pond library, did some reading & chatting.

On Thurs. we (3 of us) had an easier day. We went along the Appalachian Trail from Daicey Pond to Big Niagara Falls. Not exactly “Niagara Fall” but still a fantastic series of waterfalls along the Nesowadnehunk Stream. This former logging stream runs along into the Penobscot River.

On Friday I joined one other camper to explore the Chimney Pond Trail. We had to leave camp by 5:30 a.m. to get to the Tongue Pond Gate, & to get into the Roaring Brook parking lot. Luckily, we made it, as it was Friday & the forecast called for rain .We geared up then headed up the Chimney Pond Trail. This trail was rocky, but not too steep, & ran along the Roaring Brook. We took our time, reaching Chimney Pond before lunchtime. Chimney Pond is a serene spot situated in the South Basin. As we sat we viewed Katahdin-- Baxter Peak, the Knife’s Edge, Pamola Peak, and the Cathedral Domes-- looming up in front of us. Clouds, both white and some ominous, rolled up above us. The wind was strong, & it was cold, yet still we could see hardy hikers edging their way along the Knife’s Edge.

After lunch we went back down the Chimney Pond Trail and took the North Basin Trail to the left. This rocky, steep trail led up to the Blueberry Knoll, an open area with low bushes and wild blueberries (deliciously tart). On our left was a view of the North Basin. On our right was Turner Mtn., & an expansive valley below. It was quite awesome to see clouds and blue sky for miles! We spent some time taking photos.

As we headed back down the Chimney Pond Trail, we took a few detours to stop and rest at the Basin Ponds. The descent made for a few sore knees & ankles. At one point we were treated to hailstones in August—for 10 minutes or so—by a passing, dark rain cloud.

When we returned to camp on Friday afternoon, we traded stories & rested. After a short rainstorm, a vibrant, double rainbow formed in the sky! The purple was so deep it looked as if it were glowing. The rainbow lasted long enough to snap more than a few pictures. See below...

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