Baxter State Park is a large wilderness area permanently preserved as a
state parkState parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
, located in
Piscataquis CountyPiscataquis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 17,535, making it Maine's least-populous county. Its county seat is Dover-Foxcroft....
in north-central
MaineMaine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. The Park was established by 28 donations of land, in Trust, from Park donor Percival P. Baxter between the years of 1931 and 1962, eventually creating a Park of over 200000 acres (809 km²) in size. Baxter Park is not part of the Maine State Park system. Sole governance is provided by the Baxter State Park Authority, consisting of the Maine Attorney General, the Maine Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Director of the Maine Forest Service. The Park is independently funded through a combination of revenues from trusts, user fees and the sale of forest products from the Park's Scientific Forest Management Area. The park is home to the state's highest peak,
KatahdinMount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine at . Named Katahdin by the Penobscot Indians, the term means "The Greatest Mountain". Katahdin is the centerpiece of Baxter State Park: a steep, tall mountain formed from underground magma. The flora and fauna on the mountain are typical of those...
. The number of visitors to the Park declined from 75,000 in 2000 to 55,000 in 2005, but since 2005 visitor use has been slowly increasing.
Geography and climate
Mount Katahdin consists of a cluster of mountains. One of the highest peaks, Baxter Peak, is named after Park donor and former Maine Governor
Percival P. BaxterPercival Proctor Baxter was the 53rd Governor of the U.S. state of Maine who served from 1921 to 1925.-Early life:...
and rises up to 5267 feet (1,605 m). The mountain is the northern terminus of the
Appalachian TrailThe Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
.
There are many bodies of water in the park. The three largest bodies of water are Grand Lake Matagamon, Webster Lake, and Nesowadnehunk Lake. There are also several smaller ponds, such as Hudson, Draper, Russell, Center and the South Branch ponds. Numerous streams and rivers connect these water bodies, most prominently Trout Brook (between Grand Lake Matagamon and Nesowadnehunk Lake) and Nesowadnehunk Stream (connecting Nesowadnehunk Lake and the small collection of ponds near Sentinel Mt.). Some of these have waterfalls; Nesowadnehunk Stream has Big and Little Niagara Falls, as well as Ledge Falls. Wassataquoik Stream has two waterfalls, Grand and Norway; another popular waterfall is Green Falls, tucked between Bald Mt. and South Pogy Mt. None of this water is available for consumption, and the Park advises that visitors bring or treat their water.
The climate of Baxter State Park lies within the Northern Forest Region of the American continent and experiences the cool, moist climate typical of this region. The annual mean temperature is 38.6 °F (3.7 °C); the record high temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 °C), and the record low stands at minus 45 °F (−43 °C). The average annual
precipitationIn meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
is 37 inches, which includes 100 inches (2,540 mm) per year of snow. Summer temperatures and conditions peak in the Park in July and August; fall foliage colors begin to emerge in early September and peak in late September or early October. Leaf-fall in
deciduousDeciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
trees is complete by the end of October. Lasting snowfall usually begins in mid to late November, and lasts through April. Leaves emerge on deciduous trees around the last week of May. Weather in Baxter State Park can be characterized primarily by its variability; snowfall can occur any month of the year, and temperatures can and do fluctuate widely around the averages.
Wildlife
Baxter State Park has a diverse population of wildlife, the most common of which are the
mooseThe moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, the
black bearThe American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, and the
white-tailed deerThe white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
. These animals are most active during the summer months and can sometimes be seen from the road. The many marshes and bogs of the Park serve as habitats for such animals as beavers, muskrats, otters, and raccoons. There are several active
beaver coloniesThe beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
within the Park's perimeters. Wooded areas of the Park support other types of wildlife, including bobcats, fishers, martens, weasels, chipmunks, red squirrels, snowshoe hares, coyotes, lemmings, and red foxes. There is also an avian population in the Park; the most common birds are
warblerThere are a number of Passeriformes called "warblers". They are not particularly closely related, but share some characteristics, such as being fairly small, vocal and insectivorous....
s, thrushes, and flycatchers as well as owls, hawks, and ducks and other wetland birds.
History
The Park was a gift to the people of Maine from Gov.
Percival P. BaxterPercival Proctor Baxter was the 53rd Governor of the U.S. state of Maine who served from 1921 to 1925.-Early life:...
, who used his personal wealth over a 32-year period to purchase and donate the original 201018 acres (813 km²) of the park. Since Gov. Baxter's death in 1969 the park has been increased to a total of 209501 acres (848 km²), including the 2006 addition of a parcel of 4678 acres (19 km²) and spectacular Katahdin Lake
http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/aboutus/index.html. Park Headquarters is located over twenty miles (32 km) from the actual park in the small town of Millinocket. There are no stores or gas stations inside the park. Access and use are strictly regulated in accordance with Gov. Baxter's expressed desire to keep the Park "forever wild." Amidst this premise, he has made the following quote: "The works of man are short-lived. Monuments decay, buildings crumble and wealth vanishes, but Katahdin in its massive grandeur will forever remain the mountain of the people of Maine. Throughout the ages it will stand as an inspiration to the men and women of the state."
Infrastructure
Inside the Park boundary there is no electricity, running water, or paved roads.
In keeping with the "Forever Wild" philosophy expressed by the Park donor Percival Baxter, the Park prohibits the use of audio or visual devices in any way that impairs the enjoyment of the Park by others or that may disturb or harass wildlife. Winter hiking and camping regulations have been recently revised to provide more freedom for Park visitors, coupled with a clear understanding that Park visitors must take responsibility for their safety in the often unforgiving winter environment of the Park.
The Park is open to overnight summer camping from May 15 to October 15 and winter camping from December 1 to March 31. Only northbound long distance
Appalachian TrailThe Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
hikers can stay in the Park without reservations; they are limited to one night's stay at The Birches camping area, which is limited to the first twelve hikers to sign in at an information kiosk several southbound trail miles away just inside the Park's southern boundary. In addition to hiking and camping, approximately 25% of the Park is open to hunting and trapping (with the exception of Moose hunting). Park ponds and streams are open to either fly fishing or general law fishing as determined by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Baxter State Park Authority. Snowmobiling is permitted on the Park Tote Road of 46 miles (74 km) connecting the Park's south gate at Togue Pond and the north gate at Matagamon. The Park also includes a Scientific Forest Management Area of 29587 acres (120 km²) located in the northwest corner of the Park. Park donor Percival Baxter directed that this area be managed for exemplary forest management. The area has been under active management for over 20 years and conducts sustainable,
Forest Stewardship CouncilThe Forest Stewardship Council is an international not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in 1993 to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. Its main tools for achieving this are standard setting, independent certification and labeling of forest products...
-certified management.
Police protection within the Park is provided by the Park's Law Enforcement Ranger staff and local Maine IF&W Wardens. Fire protection provided by the Maine Forest Service; waste disposal and recycling is addressed through the Park's Carry-In, Carry-Out policy. Maintenance is done by the many volunteer workers and paid employees of the Park. The current Park Director is Jensen Bissell.
External links