We have a long standing joke when we go to Baxter State Park.
Why is it every time we come to Maine we find ourselves in the middle of nowhere?
Of course it’s less about a physical location and more about a state of mind.
Since it’s inception in 1931, Baxter State Park has grown to cover over 200,000 acres of pristine wilderness in north central Maine. I will spare you the details, but I think the park history is really interesting and if you would like to read more about it, head straight to the park website here.
For additional reading (and a must have if you are planning a trip to Baxter) pick up a copy of Katahdin A Guide to Baxter State Park. Seriously, every person I spoke with leading up to our first trip to Baxter asked if I had a copy of this book, and offered to lend me theirs if I did not. Sometimes you can score a good deal on Amazon for a used copy. You’re gonna want a map too, but I digress.
I don’t want to sound like a total cheese ball, but going to Baxter for me is a spiritual experience. I immediately start to imagine a new way of life. One where I wake up to watch the sunrise, then read the entire Baxter newsletter, Wildnotes, cover to cover. Where I sketch in my notebook and watch moose stroll by. Okay, so I still haven’t seen a moose in person, but it’s coming!
In this life, an eight hour day is spent on the trail, and the accomplishment is the view from the top. The souvenir? Sore calves and a sense of wonder that lingers for days.
You can rent a canoe for $1/hr at every pondside campground and most backcountry ponds with trail access. And we recommend you do! It’s a great way to check out shoreline that would otherwise be inaccessible, or get a clear view to the surrounding mountains. Be aware that some canoes require a key, so you will want to plan and ask ahead.
Baxter can always be counted on for some good sound advice as well. In the last issue of Wildnotes, I read something that has stuck with me.
“Hiking up is optional, but hiking down is mandatory.”
What a great metaphor for life!
It’s about setting a pace for yourself and listening to the voice within. It’s about being kind to yourself and honest with what you can accomplish. I tend to push myself relentlessly towards a goal, so for me it’s a good reminder to leave some gas in the tank at the end of the day.
Also, it’s about making it safely off a mountain. Don’t mess around.
I have another favorite bit of advice from Baxter to share…
It is easy to feel small in Baxter. Then you read something like this and, well, it’s sobering.
YOU are responsible for yourself. YOU have to manage your time and know your abilities. YOU need to determine when you’re ready to push yourself to the next level. And guess what? YOU got this!
We are not “mountain climbers”. We don’t do this every day, or even every week. When we climbed the Owl, it was on the recommendation of our 78 year old friend and trail guide extraordinaire Myra. Scottish and lives in Maine? She’s a tough ole bird and got a big laugh when she saw me a day or two later still gingerly tiptoeing my aching legs around camp.
To be fair, we added a few extra miles to the trek since the Katahdin Streams parking lot was full for the day. And we were so close to Katahdin Stream Falls that we figured, why not? We were going to be beat either way. Nonetheless, I have a good laugh every time I think of Myra asking if I was still sore?! Yes. I was. Was it worth it? Hell yes it was!
When we hiked Doubletop Mountain the following year, a hike that ended up being close to 10 miles total, it was a little easier. Myra asked if we would finally get around to hiking Katahdin next. I don’t know when! We have really been enjoying the quieter trails. But I know we have it in us. Maybe next time!
Have you been to Baxter? Share your favorite hike or Baxter memory below! Happy hiking!
