A spruce branch hangs over Katahdin Stream Falls. While bright sunny days are great for hiking, they’re not at all good for photographing waterfalls. I was lucky to arrive at the falls after the sun moved behind the clouds.
Category Archives: Baxter State Park
Kidney Pond Morning
Katahdin reflected in Kidney Pond early during a brisk October morning. I said this would be my last trip to Baxter for the season. Well…
Pretty in Pink
Barren Mountain, Katahdin and the Owl reflect the setting sun on a late October afternoon.
The Owl
The Owl is an often overlooked 3670-foot peak just next to Katahdin. The steep climb rewards hikers with great views of Katahdin and the Witherle Ravine to the east and a series of mountains to the west, including Barren, OJI, Mount Coe, North and South Brothers, Fort, and Doubletop. Views like this constantly remind me why Baxter State Park is such a special place to me, and why I come back again and again.
Katahdin from Lone Pine Cabin
Katahdin viewed through the window of my cabin on Kidney Pond. It was nice to have the wood stove. I woke up to a heavy frost and 28 degrees but was cozy warm through the night with a fire going.
OJI
Mount OJI reflects the pink light of sunset, as viewed from a kayak on Kidney Pond. I hiked to the summit a couple years ago. On this trip I hiked to the West Peak viewpoint to admire the fall foliage below. The first part of the trail traverses numerous very wet areas. My boots sank into the mud more than once, but the view made it all worth it!
Katahdin Stream Falls
Katahdin Stream Falls is on the Hunt (Appalachian) Trail, about a mile from the Katahdin Stream campground. I stopped by the falls on my way back from hiking the Owl.
Loon, Kidney Pond
I camped at Kidney Pond in Baxter. I took one of the Park kayaks out just before sunset and saw this loon.
Looking Down the Cathedral Trail
Katahdin’s Cathedral trail is a 1.4 mile trail from Chimney Pond to the Katahdin tableland just below Baxter peak. The hike is a continuous scramble over boulders to the top and is a good workout for hikers’ arms as well as legs. Average completion time is around 3 hours.
Top of the Saddle
The Saddle Trail on Katahdin is said to be the “easiest” trail from Chimney Pond to the Katahdin tableland. The first section of the trail just below the tableland is a slide consisting of loose gravel and rocks, and hikers have to descend carefully so as not to slide down the mountain or dislodge loose rocks that could hit hikers ascending the trail.
light on the trail 