Baxter State Park

Understand

History

Baxter State Park was donated to the state of Maine in 1931 by Percival Baxter, the governor of Maine from 1921-1924. The original land donation was made under the condition that it "be kept forever wild", and was almost 6,0000 acres, including Mt. Katahdin the tallest point in Maine at 5,269 ft. Over the years additional land grants and donations have swelled the parks size to 209,644 acres, with 75% being managed as a wildlife sanctuary, and about 25% being open to hunting and trapping with the exception of moose. Upon his passing Baxter left a trust of 7 million USD to ensure the park would not be reliant on taxpayer money to be maintained.

Landscape

The majority of Baxter State Park is made up of foothills leading up to Mount Katahdin; almost all of it is heavily forested below the tree line. All of Maine is heavily shaped by glacial activity 10-12 thousand years ago, and Baxter State Park is no exception. Mount Katahdin is surrounded by four glacial valleys, each containing debris fields from the last glacial recession, and the forest around Mount Katahdin is filled with large glacial erratics.

Flora and fauna

Baxter State Park has a diverse forest ecosystem. Fauna includes black bear, eastern coyotes, whitetail deer, moose, and rabbits.

Mt. Katahdin has numerous alpine tundra plants that have managed to continue living on the mountain despite climate change in the region.

Climate

Baxter State Park experiences four distinct seasons, including warm humid summers and biting winters. Summer temperatures peak in July and August. Leaf peeping season starts in early September and peaks in late September to early October. Notably snowfall, especially on top of Katahdin has been reported at any time of year. Hikers should prepare accordingly.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

The park is 18 mi northwest of Millinocket via Millinocket Road.

You can also access the park via the Appalachian trail, as Mt. Katahdin is the terminus for the 100 mile wilderness section of the AT when hiking south to north. Mt Katahdin is also the beginning point for the International Appalachian trail when hiking south to north.

Fees and permits

There is no entrance fee for Maine residents to the general park. The entrance fee for non-residents is $20, or $50 for a seasonal (entrance only) pass. If you want to hike Katahdin there is a $10 Katahdin Trailhead Pass (applicable to everyone.) There are numerous types of sites and accommodations each with different princes, ranging from $10 per person per night to $195 per night.

Stay safe

Mount Katahdin may seem like an easy hike due to its relatively low elevation, but since records began being kept in 1933 over 60 people have died while attempting to hike the mountain. Most of these deaths occur on the Knifes Edge, a trail that is only 3 feet wide in some places with up to 1,500 ft drops on both sides of the trail. Combined with sometimes unpredictable weather, it important to be aware of your surroundings and your physical capabilities as well as "summit fever." The mountain will always be there for another attempt.