A hiking we will go
Sunday 28 July 2024
Baxter State Park
Trails Hiked: Cranberry Pond Trail & Rum Pond Trail
5.1 Miles
7:35am - 10:30am
Baxter State Park called us to her again last weekend. Truth be know, she is always calling me but she usually gets our voicemail. Since we no longer have a furry friend keeping us from venturing into the park and that our schedules are easing up, we are answering her calls more frequently. We hope to make it a habit instead of a rare outing.
Saturday occupied our time and energy with a book signing at the Piscataquis Riverfest in Gilford. We managed to get home, unpack, then repack for our hike all before dark. We set our alarms for 5:00am - that was the back-up. Our eyelids usually naturally open around 4:00am. We had hoped to be on the road by 4:30am. But we missed the organic rise and shine as both our alarms simultaneously screamed at us at 5:00am. A normal trip to the park without a reservation would require being at the gate no later than 5:00am to get in line for the 6:00am opening to hopefully be granted entrance. But the trailhead we were going to take was just outside Togue Pond Gatehouse, so we didn't fret about oversleeping.
We love morning hikes, but we left so early because we wanted to have some nature time then get back to Brewer - two and a half hours away - to spend time with Bruce's folks for the afternoon. Just like last weekend, both Bruce and I were exhausted from normal work and commitments this time also. But when it comes to hiking, we always seem to find the gusto to go.
We parked the truck. That's a task that sometimes could end in divorce court. We never seem to agree where to put the vehicle - whoever is driving wins though. That was him this time. Five minutes outside and we were searching for the bug spray. With a thick layer of DEET protecting us like a force-field, we donned our packs, and headed to the trailhead across the street. We signed in at the register, clanked our poles together - like we do before every hike - and topped it off with a smooch. Off we went.
The trail with its needle carpet and gentle terrain guided us through the woods for 1.5 miles passing Cranberry Pond and Rocky Pond before dumping us back onto the the park Tote Road. We crossed the dirt course and continued on the Rum Pond Trail after signing in at that register. We came to a junction just yards from the road. Left was the Kettle Pond Trail, straight was Rum Pond Trail, and to the right was another pond, this one named Caverly Pond. Hmm, I know someone with that name, my author friend Tim Caverly a former park ranger . If I am correct, it is his father who the pond is named after. If not I will update this later.
We gazed upon Katahdin from the shore of Caverly Pond as we grazed on wild high-bush blueberries. With our sensories filled, it was time to move on and let the Rum Pond Trail bring us to new sites. Towering hemlocks, spruce, pine, cedar and a few hardwoods muffled most noise and allowed only thin streams of sunshine to stretch through the canopy. While the trail was kid and senior friendly, it did have a few rocky sections as well as some roots and mud as did the Cranberry Pond Trail.
Stopping for a water break, we quickly realized that our DEET force-field had weakened significantly. Dropping our packs and removing our glasses to prevent spraying them with the toxic substance, I grabbed the can of spray as skillfully as a gunslinger in the old west. After applying our second thick coat of the day, a very familiar and uncomfortable feeling of burning lips began. Ewe!!!!! Spit, spit, spit. Splah, splah, splah. Yuck. I couldn't wipe my lips on my shirt, it too was covered in chemicals. Just don't swallow I told myself. The hazzards of venturing into the wilderness.
This time the trail brought us to the Roaring Brook Road. We signed out at the trailhead register then walked the long 0.1 miles up the road to Rum Brook Picnic area. There we had a privy, a cold stream to wash our faces in, and a covered picnic table to eat our snack. While we were munching on dates, nuts, and a banana, a field mouse ran into Bruce's sneaker under the table, then scurried off and hid under some weeds just feet from where we sat. I think she was used to hikers and was looking for a snack.
A 1.4-mile road walk ended our jaunt in the wilderness as we followed the Roaring Brook Road back to the Togue Pond Gate House and then on to our truck just yards from the entrance. It was a fabulous quick morning hike covering just under 6 miles including the little unofficial side ventures. It was by far, the easiest 6 miles I had ever hiked before. Whether it's climbing to Baxter Peak, basking in her shadow at one of the many park's ponds, or leisurely frolicing along an easy trail, Baster State Park never disappoints.
And no hike would be complete without ending with an ice cold Moxie.
Happy Hiking,
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