Baxter 2016 - Return to Trout Brook (October 6-10)
Columbus Day weekend 2006 found a collection of the Baxter Boys, originally a Nasson College group who expanded over the decades, at Trout Brook Farm campsite near the less-frequented North Gate to Baxter State Park. Our highlight hike back then was the Travelers Loop, a then-new 11-mile circuit from South Branch Pond around Center Ridge, The Traveler, Traveler Ridge and North Traveler. Ten years later, many of the same Boys, with a few welcome additions, returned to the scene and a half-dozen of us repeated the hike, on Saturday. Great then, great now - a bit long and strenuous but packed with above-treeline vistas of gorgeous Autumn scenery.
The weekend began with a Thursday night muster at Mark V's Camp Crazee on Schoodic Lake, followed by a Friday morning tour of Karl's recently purchased camp nearby - already sweet but with opportunities for enhancement. Taking the Golden Road to BSP's South Gate, we drove up the Tote Road to Nesowdnehunk Campground, which was the locus of several prior memorable Columbus weekends, for a scenic lunch. After we set up camp at Trout Brook Farm, some of us took a late-afternoon stroll on mellow Freezeout Trail, right from camp. Thereafter, Mark V. and Tom regaled us with their patented chili.
While half of us devoted Saturday to the Travelers Loop, the others explored other trails in the vicinity, some with fly-fishing as an added attraction. For dinner, Martin produced a pasta entree with a very tangy tomato sauce with multiple meats, including boneless pork chops and sausages.
On Sunday, seven of us decided to explore some trails in the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which borders BSP by the North Gate. A short drive took us to parking near Haskell Gate, and a 7-mile loop included a stretch of the International Appalachian Trail, detours to Stair Falls and attractively situated Haskell Hut, and the Haskell Trail, which has one sign and quite a few blazes but otherwise seems to be nearly abandoned. This is lovely country, with far fewer visitors than BSP. That night, Dave (mostly) and I produced a pear/spinach/gorgonzola/candied walnut salad, scalloped potatoes and grilled ribeyes, followed by strawberry shortcake with a chocolate drizzle. After, we serenaded a glowing sunset.
Monday morning, we went our separate ways. Here's to more!
Read MoreThe weekend began with a Thursday night muster at Mark V's Camp Crazee on Schoodic Lake, followed by a Friday morning tour of Karl's recently purchased camp nearby - already sweet but with opportunities for enhancement. Taking the Golden Road to BSP's South Gate, we drove up the Tote Road to Nesowdnehunk Campground, which was the locus of several prior memorable Columbus weekends, for a scenic lunch. After we set up camp at Trout Brook Farm, some of us took a late-afternoon stroll on mellow Freezeout Trail, right from camp. Thereafter, Mark V. and Tom regaled us with their patented chili.
While half of us devoted Saturday to the Travelers Loop, the others explored other trails in the vicinity, some with fly-fishing as an added attraction. For dinner, Martin produced a pasta entree with a very tangy tomato sauce with multiple meats, including boneless pork chops and sausages.
On Sunday, seven of us decided to explore some trails in the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which borders BSP by the North Gate. A short drive took us to parking near Haskell Gate, and a 7-mile loop included a stretch of the International Appalachian Trail, detours to Stair Falls and attractively situated Haskell Hut, and the Haskell Trail, which has one sign and quite a few blazes but otherwise seems to be nearly abandoned. This is lovely country, with far fewer visitors than BSP. That night, Dave (mostly) and I produced a pear/spinach/gorgonzola/candied walnut salad, scalloped potatoes and grilled ribeyes, followed by strawberry shortcake with a chocolate drizzle. After, we serenaded a glowing sunset.
Monday morning, we went our separate ways. Here's to more!
